Kamal Ghorui
The LPG crisis, caused by the ongoing war in West Asia involving Iran, Israel and the United States, has significantly impacted Indian kitchens and restaurants, bringing the spotlight onto alternatives that are affordable and easy-to-use. And while the nation is still figuring out the alternatives, there exists a school in Akola, Maharashtra that runs a ‘flameless kitchen’ which feeds 1500 children everyday. Scroll down to read the details.What is a flameless kitchen?A decade ago, the Prabhat Day Boarding School took a conscious decision and reduced its dependency on conventional fuel and introduced the concept of a flameless kitchen. They replaced the traditional gas burners with a thermic fluid heating system, where heated oil circulates through pipes, transferring consistent heat to cooking vessels without any direct flame. This mechanism is run by biomass-based fuel pellets made from agricultural waste.
What makes it sustainable and environment-friendly? This method of cooking uses no open flames, and there is no LPG dependency, and it offers consistent and efficient cooking means, which altogether makes it a sustainable and environment friendly. Also, the mechanism produces negligible carbon emissions compared to conventional methods, contributing to a cleaner environment and making it a blessing for the surrounding area.
What makes it special?Well, as the entire mechanism is devoid of direct flame, the kitchen area is safer and cooler, especially during peak summer. Also, according to experts, since there is no LPG pipeline, there are lesser risks of gas leaks or cylinder explosions, creating a more secure working environment for the people employed in the kitchen. TakeawayWhat Prabhat Day Boarding School has done largely reflects the right use of technology and learnings in daily life. The uninterrupted kitchen amidst the national crisis of LPG proves that with the right intention and responsibility, alternatives can be designed which are for the good of the environment and society at large. It tells us that a solution doesn’t always have to be complex or high-tech, a simple logic backed by science can bring a big change. The school’s kitchen truly reflects the future of sustainable living, which is easy and totally affordable.Images Courtesy: istock
