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No of holes / hole size
The last type of broad choice available concerns the design type and the constraints the designer faces. The table 1 shows the advantages and disadvantages of the two broad choices the designer has.| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Two-hole, single-point firing system | ||
| (i) | higher thermodynamic efficiency | poor flexibility in operation |
| (ii) | easier to tend one fire while cooking two dishes |
heavy structure |
| (iii) | saves on cooking time | not amenable to conventional marketing approach |
| Single pan design | ||
| (i) | high flexibility to the operator with two single- pan stoves |
lesser thermodynamic efficiency |
| (ii) | lighter structure | |
| (iii) | easily marketable | |
Note that we have omitted to include three and more pan designs. It is the firm opinion of the author that these are likely to appeal to a relatively small segment of the market and a passing aberration in the stove scene. It is hard to suggest clever alternatives to the models proposed in the table. The fairest thing to state with the available experience is: work with both designs and let the user choose. The author sees in most rural areas of developing countries a two pan stove in combination with a single pan wood fired or kerosene stove as the near to medium term future.