Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday unveiled an indigenous ethanol-based cooking stove that he says costs less to run than commercial LPG cylinders — a development that could reshape how millions of Indian households cook their food.
Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Gadkari demonstrated the technology and described how it works.
“By mixing 7 per cent ethanol in water, stove-like flames are generated, and it is cheaper than cooking gas. It is indigenous to our country,” the minister said.
The stove uses a blend of ethanol and water — not pure ethanol — to produce cooking flames. The low concentration of ethanol in the mix is what Gadkari says makes it cost-competitive with LPG.
The technology is domestically developed, which aligns with India’s broader push toward energy self-reliance.
Why It Matters
India currently imports nearly 87 per cent of its crude oil requirements. Energy security remains one of the government’s top policy priorities.
The government has aggressively expanded ethanol blending in petrol over the past decade. Blending levels rose from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 20 per cent in 2025. Extending that logic to cooking fuel is a natural next step.
Gadkari has long championed ethanol as a cleaner and cheaper substitute for fossil fuels across transport and energy sectors. The new stove technology extends that vision directly into Indian kitchens.
What It Could Mean for Households
Millions of Indian households still depend on LPG cylinders for daily cooking. If the ethanol-water stove scales successfully, it could offer families a cheaper, locally produced alternative — while reducing pressure on India’s import bill.
The technology also supports domestic agriculture. Ethanol in India is largely produced from sugarcane and food grains, meaning wider adoption could benefit farmers directly.
Rs 40-Crore Push for Young Scientists
Alongside the energy announcement, Gadkari revealed a separate Rs 40-crore initiative to build scientific curiosity among children and young people across India.
“As technology is evolving, we are also working on a project worth Rs 40 crore to ignite the love for science in the youth and children,” he said.
The minister did not provide further details on how the funds would be deployed or which institutions would lead the programme.
The ethanol stove technology is still at the announcement stage. Large-scale commercialisation will require safety testing, regulatory approvals, and a reliable supply chain for the ethanol-water fuel mix.
But if it clears those hurdles, India may have a homegrown answer to one of its most persistent household energy challenges.
IANS
Support Us To Sustain Independent Environmental Journalism In India.
Keep Reading
How Solar Solutions Are Helping Protect Crops from Wild Animals
Pench Tiger Reserve: How a Man Survived a Tiger Attack
