Fuel-saving stoves push takes flak

Govt campaign fails to impress eateries

The Energy Ministry’s campaign to use energy-efficient clay stoves as a cheaper substitute for their gas equivalents has drawn flak for failing to offset the impact which people are facing from runaway fuel costs.

The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), which operates under the Energy Ministry, has launched a project urging households and food businesses to switch to the so-called Tao Maha Setthee (super rich clay stoves) which use charcoal as fuel.

The agency said these give off more heat and require 40% less charcoal than conventional clay stoves, while being pollution-free.

The stoves are designed so the charcoal burns for a longer duration.

Tao Maha Setthee are being made available for purchase. They target low-income households as well as food businesses that face higher fuel bills from expensive gas prices.

The stoves, which could reduce fuel bills by up to 600 baht a year per family, can help people reduce their basic cooking costs, the agency said. Around 10 million Tao Maha Setthee have been bought by households nationwide, said Prasert Sinsukprasert, the DEDE director-general.

More than 10 factories are producing the clay stoves, which retail for 250300 baht apiece, he added.

However, some eateries are less than impressed by the campaign.

Jariya Iamla-or, a food shop owner, said she found it impossible to use them to prepare meals for her customers.

Ms Jariya said cooking for many people at the same time requires the use of gas stoves which can be switched on instantly and produce stronger heat than the clay versions. The weaker heat from clay stoves can sometimes leave food under-cooked, potentially causing customers to fall ill, she said.

However, she admits she has never seen gas prices this high in the 12 years she has run her food shop. Ms Jariya said one regular-sized gas cylinder lasts for just two days.

“Gas prices only go up these days,” she said.

Theera Amornpol, a grocery store owner in Chai Nat, said more people have bought charcoal from his store since fuel prices skyrocketed.

MINISTRY OF ENERGY Tao Maha Setthee clay stoves are on display. The Energy Ministry said the energy-efficient stoves which use charcoal can help households cut back on gas expenses as runaway energy prices are hitting families hard.