Induction, rocket stoves in huge demand

Trichy: Consumers in Trichy are increasingly turning to alternatives like rocket stoves and induction stoves as commercial LPG cylinders remain unavailable and household cylinders face heavy demand and shortages. Electrical appliance shops in Trichy city have reported an unprecedented surge in demand for induction stoves. Shoppers are flocking to stores, ready to pay maximum retail price without discounts.H Ashok, of Indar Electricals on Madurai Road, said their induction stoves are almost sold out, and they are awaiting fresh stock. "Sales were brisk on Tuesday evening and have continued strongly. Induction stoves vanish from shelves as soon as they arrive. Most buyers are seeking reliable alternatives for home cooking," he said.Popular models from leading brands are marked as ‘currently unavailable' on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. Regular online shoppers accustomed to waiting for discounts are now rushing to outlet stores. "Online delivery for my preferred model takes five to seven days. I prefer buying from a shop immediately," Saraswathi, a homemaker from Anna Nagar, said.Apart from families, restaurants, small eateries, and roadside cart shops that rely on commercial LPG cylinders are now exploring wooden burners, particularly rocket stoves, as a practical option. Capitalizing on the situation, some manufacturers are promoting rocket stoves on social media. A Mohamed Hanifa, of A R Rahman Stove Manufacturer in Ariyamangalam, said, "We have been receiving nonstop inquiry from across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala over the past few days after our promotion."The firm produces more than 35 commercial models and 14 domestic ones, some fitted with blowers driven by DC electrical motors. "In three days, we sold more than a 100 rocket stoves, priced between Rs7,000 and Rs50,000. The sale is multiple times higher than usual," he added.