AN INTRODUCTION TO ECOOKING APPLIANCES AND THEIR USE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICs)

The report examines the role of electric cooking (eCooking) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), proposing a typology of appliances and assessing their suitability based on technical, financial, and cultural factors. It categorizes appliances into 'cooktops' (e.g., induction, infrared, hotplates), 'self-contained' units (e.g., electric pressure cookers, rice cookers, air fryers), and 'task-specific' devices (e.g., kettles). The analysis emphasizes that while cooktops offer versatility, self-contained appliances like electric pressure cookers (EPCs) often provide higher energy efficiency per meal. The report highlights that successful adoption depends on aligning appliance choice with local infrastructure (grid stability, AC/DC compatibility), cultural cooking traditions, and the availability of after-sales support and financing models like Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO).

• Electric cooking appliances are categorized into three main groups: 'cooktops' (flat surfaces like induction, infrared, and hotplates), 'self-contained' appliances (which include the cooking vessel, such as EPCs, rice cookers, and air fryers), and 'task-specific' appliances (such as kettles and toasters).
• Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs) are identified as the most energy-efficient modern cooking appliances due to their use of insulation, automation, and pressure cooking, which allows them to maintain temperature with minimal energy input once pressure is reached.
• Induction cookers offer high efficiency and precise heat control but require specific ferromagnetic (iron-based) cookware, which can increase the initial upfront cost for the consumer.
• The report argues that 'energy efficiency per acceptable meal' is a more critical metric than simple kWh ratings, as it accounts for human behaviour, cookware fit, and the ability to maintain target temperatures without waste.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (n.d.). AN INTRODUCTION TO ECOOKING APPLIANCES AND THEIR USE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICs). https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-04/SEFA%20eCooking%20appliances%20pub_web.pdf

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. AN INTRODUCTION TO ECOOKING APPLIANCES AND THEIR USE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICs). n.d. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-04/SEFA%20eCooking%20appliances%20pub_web.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=AN INTRODUCTION TO ECOOKING APPLIANCES AND THEIR USE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICs) |url=https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-04/SEFA%20eCooking%20appliances%20pub_web.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforallndintroduction, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{AN INTRODUCTION TO ECOOKING APPLIANCES AND THEIR USE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES (LMICs)}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, url = {https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-04/SEFA%20eCooking%20appliances%20pub_web.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }