From water to fire: A new revolution in the kitchen — plug and play hydrogen stove

A small stove sits in the corner of a kitchen. There is no gas cylinder, no pipeline, no smell of kerosene. Yet a flame burns—a soft blue fire. The fuel for this blue flame has come… from water. Yes, you heard it right. From water.

Although it may sound like a story, in reality, such a technology has been introduced by an Indian company—the "plug-and-play hydrogen stove." By simply pouring a small amount of water into the stove and turning on a switch, fuel is generated. Cooking is done using that very fuel.

How does this stove work?

This stove has been developed by an Indian energy technology company. It contains a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser, which is integrated into the stove. Its operation is very simple. It requires a small amount of water (approximately 100 milliliters) and an electricity or battery connection. Once the knob is turned on, the stove splits water into hydrogen and oxygen through the process of electrolysis. The hydrogen ignites as a flame, while the oxygen disperses into the air. No gas cylinder or pipeline is required.

A Smoke-Free Kitchen

From cities to rural areas in Bangladesh, smoke, gas smell, and the hardship of burning wood are still realities during cooking. This new stove offers a fresh solution to those problems. There is no carbon dioxide emission, no smoke. Only water vapour is released—as if even the fire has become clean through water.
Less Electricity, More Benefits

Another remarkable aspect of this stove is its efficiency. With just 1 unit (1 kWh) of electricity and 100 milliliters of water, it is possible to cook for nearly 6 hours. Compared to conventional induction stoves, which consume several times more electricity for the same duration, this technology is significantly more economical.

A Solution Even Without Grid Electricity

Another major potential of this technology lies in its compatibility with solar energy. Imagine a rural home with rooftop solar panels. During the day, electricity generated from solar power can be used to produce hydrogen from water. In the evening, that stored fuel can be used for cooking. This essentially means almost free cooking fuel. No gas? No electricity? No worries—cooking will not stop.

Is This the Kitchen of the Future?

Gas shortages are nothing new in today's Bangladesh. New connections are halted, cylinder prices are rising, and pressure on electricity is increasing. In this reality, if fuel can be generated from water, it is not just a technology—it is a doorway to new possibilities.

Experts say that if such technology becomes easily accessible, dependence on gas will decrease, rural cooking will become safer, environmental pollution will reduce, and a new "green energy economy" could emerge. More importantly, the significant amount of foreign currency that Bangladesh spends annually on LPG imports could be saved. Even in times of global conflict, cooking will no longer be at risk.
What Are the Challenges?

The main challenge is its high cost. In India, this stove is currently being sold at approximately BDT 150,000. As a result, it is still beyond the reach of the general population. However, there is hope. As the sales of hydrogen stoves increase, the price is expected to gradually decrease.

How Can Bangladesh Benefit?

The hydrogen stove technology is not extremely complex. Scientists in Bangladesh are capable of developing an affordable version of this technology. The capability exists. Now, the government must step forward. Coordination is needed among the Ministry of Power and Energy, the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), educational and research institutions, as well as international partnerships with Japan, Europe, and India. Collaboration with the private sector, startups, and international development partners is also essential.

If quick decisions are taken to research and adapt this technology for Bangladesh and if affordable stoves are introduced with instalment-based purchasing options, millions of units could be sold immediately. Once business potential is visible, the private sector will naturally come forward. If necessary, low-interest loans and incentives should be provided to accelerate the growth of this industry.

With priority-based government policy, investment in this sector, and immediate, effective action, this technology will not only transform kitchens but will also reshape the future of Bangladesh's energy economy. In the near future, a large new industry could emerge.

The question is simple:

Will Bangladesh prioritise and scale this technology across the country?