Sigri (stove)

A traditional Sigri is made from a steel cylinder by cutting a small hole in the side wall (to be used when lighting the stove). Then, several thin iron rods are pushed through the walls about seven centimetres below the upper opening, to form a mesh. The walls and the interior are covered with approximately an inch of clay, which acts as an insulator.

Lighting a Sigri requires a substantial amount of effort. First, the fuel (either coal, cow dung or wood pieces) is loaded through the upper opening. A piece of cow dung (perhaps soaked in kerosene) is then lit and inserted through the hole in the side of the Sigri, below the iron rods. The Sigri is then left in a well-ventilated area until it stops emitting smoke, once up to temperature it will produce a smokeless heat. During this period it is necessary to occasionally stoke and fan the Sigri.