HomeStove 2

HomeStove 2 is the first generational refresh of the emerging market clean cook stove HomeStove.

The HomeStove 2 offers a clean burning alternative to open fires for families without access to gas or electric methods of cooking while also allowing users to charge their mobile phones.

Role: Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Worked as the Mechanical Engineer on the HomeStove 2 project

Generated design concepts to meet improved functionality and cost saving targets.
Created and maintained the CAD model from initial proof of concepts and prototypes through production.
Fabricated, tested and debugged stoves in Biolite's fully instrumented burn lab.

Successes:

Cut production costs by 40% compared to HomeStove 1, making the stove a viable and scalable business for Biolite.
Improved ease of use dramatically by allowing users to create and maintain fires more similar to what they are used to cooking over. Typically, clean cook stoves (including HomeStove 1) offered improved efficiency by trading off cooking power.
Maintained as good or better performance compared to HomeStove 1, including thermal efficiency, electricity generation and smoke reduction.

Early HS 2 Prototype

Early cost-saving ideas included a metal power pack housing.

Early HS 2 Prototype

Painted to demonstrate final configuration options.

Early HS 2 Prototype

Second Generation HS 2 Prototype

Receiving prototype parts for second generation prototypes.

Second Generation HS 2 Prototype

Sub-assembly of primary (bottom) and secondary (top) combustion chambers.

Second Generation HS 2 Prototype

Assembled second generation prototype, now with plastic power pack housing.

Second Generation HS 2 Prototype

View of power pack, with heat sink visible through the opening in the front face.

Production Documentation

Stove body assembly detail.

Production Documentation

Power pack assembly detail.

Power Pack

Power pack with cover removed. Blower assembly visible on right attached to heat sink,

Power Pack

The generator and heat probe can be seen closest to the stove body. The probe itself is used to mount the power pack to the stove allowing for easy servicing and removal.

Power Pack

PCB mount attached to heat sink opposite of the blower housing.

Power Pack

Cover reattached to power pack.

Field Testing

Testing the HomeStove 2 first off-tool samples with HomeStove 1 users in Uganda. Basic temperature data collected to help guide design refinement.

Field Testing

Typical fuel load in mouth of stove. Insights like this from the field are invaluable in developing products for emerging markets.

Field Testing

A user cooks beans on a HomeStove 2.

Field Testing

Example of common "fill and walk away" behavior. The HomeStove 2's mouth and primary chamber capacity were greatly increased over HomeStove 1 to accommodate this exact use case. With more fuel, cooks can ad more fuel and keep their food cooking for longer without stopping to refuel.

Field Testing

Beans at a rolling boil.

Field Testing

A typical home cooking area. HomeStove 1 on far left and HomeStove 2 in the center.