The following proposed benchmarks of stove performance are based on measurements of cook stove performance taken at the Advanced Studies in Appropriate Technology Laboratory housed within the Aprovecho Research Center (ARC). Over 50 stoves were tested in relation to the benchmarks.

Stove performance is reported to complete the 2003 Shell/UCB revised Water Boiling Test (WBT). A minimum of three test repetitions are conducted. Fuel use and emissions are calculated from the average of specific consumption and specific emissions from cold and hot start boiling performance added to simmering for 45 minutes. Fires are carefully and consistently tended to ensure that all stoves are given an equal chance to do well. The fuel used is dry Douglas Fir of equal dimensions unless otherwise specified. Emissions are measured using the laboratory emissions collection hood. The coefficient of variation is always less than 25%, and averages about 10% or less, with the exception of the three stone fire.

Work is ongoing to investigate the consistency of results between laboratories and the field. So far data has been reproduced at three separate laboratories. A low-cost portable emissions monitoring hood is also available from StoveTec for both lab and field emissions testing. It is hoped that benchmark testing will be conducted worldwide in an effort to develop better stoves.

It is important to note that benchmarks are not used to predict real-world performance. The purpose of the WBT and the benchmarks is to provide an established framework that can be used to develop a technically optimized stove design before dissemination. Testing with real cooks to investigate user acceptance and field performance is also essential.

Benchmarks are offered as a reference for project stakeholders and should be used at their own discretion.

Click here for the full PDF including 50 stove comparisons. This report was developed at the Aprovecho Research Center.