Could alcohol stoves prove the way?
There are many ways one can cook their food. You have your typical electric stove, you have propane stoves, natural gas, and you also have the use of charcoal amongst other options. All of the above have their advantages and disadvantages.
Electric stoves are really common, however in a country with very little electricity, this isn't a good option. Propane is risky in an earthquake zone in my opinion. The lines can easy come apart creating additional issues. Also consider that propane stoves can be very expensive. You also have to rely on fossil fuels. Natural gas, similar to everything I mentioned about propane. On top of that, bringing these fuels in can be very hard challenge. La Gonave doesn't have a large port where these fuels can be pumped into on-shore tanks. Charcoal is bad as it destroys the environment. There are other stoves that use sticks, dry grass, etc.
One option that so far has us looking at is alcohol stoves.
These stoves are a major staple of marine boats. They are good because the burners absorb the fuel so no matter how rocky the sea is, the fuel will not spill everywhere. There are no line or wires to the stove, and everything is contained in the unit. You also can even cook on rough seas with these stoves, however I wouldn't advise it as a hot pan can easily fly off.
This stove would use denatured alcohol and would be a better option for La Gonave in my opinion. These stoves can boil 32 oz of water in 10 min according to a website called West Marine (http://www.westmarine.com/). Also they claim the stove can burn for 4-7 hours without having to refill.
Now these stoves are expensive at around $350.00 US. One can make their own stove, and this would save the trees that are constantly being cut down. This would allow La Gonave to not be subject to fossil fuel issues. This allows you to use these stoves indoor vs outdoors. This is a major game changer for the island. One downside is that denatured alcohol would have to be imported in. The good news is that it is sold by the container. So a family could go to their local store and buy the fuel.
Alcohol Stoves are something that could be a major benefit for La Gonave, and it is one option that we will be looking at very heavily.
Go Gonave!
Electric stoves are really common, however in a country with very little electricity, this isn't a good option. Propane is risky in an earthquake zone in my opinion. The lines can easy come apart creating additional issues. Also consider that propane stoves can be very expensive. You also have to rely on fossil fuels. Natural gas, similar to everything I mentioned about propane. On top of that, bringing these fuels in can be very hard challenge. La Gonave doesn't have a large port where these fuels can be pumped into on-shore tanks. Charcoal is bad as it destroys the environment. There are other stoves that use sticks, dry grass, etc.
One option that so far has us looking at is alcohol stoves.
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| Westmarine.com |
This stove would use denatured alcohol and would be a better option for La Gonave in my opinion. These stoves can boil 32 oz of water in 10 min according to a website called West Marine (http://www.westmarine.com/). Also they claim the stove can burn for 4-7 hours without having to refill.
Now these stoves are expensive at around $350.00 US. One can make their own stove, and this would save the trees that are constantly being cut down. This would allow La Gonave to not be subject to fossil fuel issues. This allows you to use these stoves indoor vs outdoors. This is a major game changer for the island. One downside is that denatured alcohol would have to be imported in. The good news is that it is sold by the container. So a family could go to their local store and buy the fuel.
Alcohol Stoves are something that could be a major benefit for La Gonave, and it is one option that we will be looking at very heavily.
Go Gonave!
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