Clean Heat, Clear Air: Himalayan Rocket Stove Updates from the Field

At Himalayan Rocket Stove (HRS), our mission has always been clear: bring cleaner, more efficient heating and cooking solutions to the Himalayan region, reduce firewood use, improve health, and protect the environment.

In recent months, we’ve made exciting strides—developing new biochar-making systems, sharing our vision on the international stage, expanding our stove range, and preparing to open our first showroom in Bhutan. Here’s what’s been happening.

---

Turning Smoke into Soil – Our Biochar Makers

One of the most exciting developments at HRS has been our work on small-scale biochar production. Using our innovative “BioBarrel” designs, we’re creating systems that generate high-quality char as a by-product of clean combustion.

Biochar isn’t just an agricultural soil enhancer—it’s also an effective medium for air and water filtration. That means a single process can heat homes, filter pollutants, and lock carbon back into a stable form for decades (or centuries).

In regions where smoky, inefficient stoves are still the norm, this technology transforms a health hazard into a climate solution. And because our designs are locally buildable, they can empower micro-enterprises and community-scale projects right where they’re needed most.

---

Sharing the Vision in Bhutan – ICIMOD Conference

Last month, we had the privilege of presenting at an event hosted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Bhutan. Our talk explored the combined benefits of clean combustion and biochar production in addressing indoor air pollution—a major health risk in mountain communities—while also contributing to climate resilience.

The response was deeply encouraging. From policymakers to community leaders, there’s a growing recognition that integrated solutions like ours can have wide-reaching impacts, from public health to economic opportunity.

---

Our Expanded Product Range

HRS now offers seven distinct stove models, each designed with the diverse needs of Himalayan households in mind:

• Compact heaters for small, remote homes

• Multi-purpose cookstoves with optional heat boxes

• High-output models for larger spaces and community use

Every model is built to maximize efficiency, minimize emissions, and last for years—helping families spend less on fuel while breathing cleaner air.

---

Next Step: HRS Showroom in Bhutan

We’re taking a major step forward by establishing our first HRS showroom in Bhutan.

This new space will:

• Showcase our entire product range

• Offer fixed pricing and full after-sales service

• Provide a hub for clean energy education and demonstration

By being on the ground, we can better serve Bhutanese households, institutions, and businesses—making it easier than ever to switch to clean, efficient heating solutions.

---

Looking Ahead

From the Indian Himalayas to Bhutan, our guiding principle remains the same:

Clean combustion technology can transform lives while helping to heal the planet.

By reducing firewood use, cutting indoor air pollution, and turning carbon emissions into a resource, we’re building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for mountain communities.

We’ll keep you updated as our Bhutan showroom takes shape and our biochar innovations move from prototype to widespread adoption. In the meantime, we’re grateful for the continued support of our friends, partners, and customers around the world.

Together, we can keep the fires burning clean.

— Russell Collins, Founder & CEO, Himalayan Rocket Stove