Over 3 billion people around the world rely on open fire cooking, using biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal, animal dung, or crop residues. This method presents a range of serious problems. The smoke generated by these fuels leads to high levels of indoor air pollution, contributing to respiratory illnesses, eye damage, and millions of premature deaths annually, disproportionately affecting women and children. Beyond health concerns, the environmental impact is severe, driving deforestation and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The process is also inefficient and time-consuming, requiring families, often women, to spend hours gathering fuel. In addition to these burdens, the financial cost can be substantial; in some areas, households spend up to 50% of their income purchasing wood or charcoal, which can trap them in cycles of poverty. These combined health, environmental, and economic costs highlight the urgent need for safer and more affordable cooking alternatives.

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The ONIL stove, developed by Don O’Neal specifically for HELPS International, is a clean-burning, fuel-efficient stove specifically designed to address the health, environmental, and economic issues caused by traditional open fire cooking. Unlike open fires, the ONIL stove uses an enclosed combustion chamber and a chimney to direct smoke outside the home, drastically reducing indoor air pollution and the associated health risks, especially for women and children. It is built to burn wood more efficiently, cutting fuel consumption by up to 70%, which not only reduces deforestation but also lessens the time and labor spent gathering wood. The improved efficiency translates to cost savings for families who purchase firewood, and the stove’s durable design ensures long-term usability. By providing a cleaner, safer, and more economical cooking method, the ONIL stove offers a sustainable alternative that improves quality of life while protecting the environment.