[Stoves] Aside on coconut husk

[Michael N Trevor]

Coire are the fibers in the husk. Industrially today in general husks are
mechanically beaten
and pounded to release the fibers and pith from each other. The fibers are
combed to separate
the pith. The fibers have many uses and the pith can be recycled into a
masonite like press board.
Even Mercedes Benz was making use of coconut husk materials. Here in the
Marshall Islands
retting was carried out to obtain the coire fibers to hand twist the ropes
and twine needed to
construct and sail the traditional canoes.

As for moisture content in husk, it is highly variable. It is nearly dry in
relatively fresh unhusked nuts.
Once coconuts are husked and the interior exposed they can reach 100%
saturation.  Therefore after
husking the sun drying of split pieces of husk as fuel is common. The
picking up, hauling,  drying, and storing
requires considerable time and effort on the part of women and girls.
However, discounting labor it costs
little.  While it is low in heat value, its plentiful nature and being
essentially "free" make it a preferred fuel.for
many here. In spite of its volumous smoke output,  dry,  it is actually is
good fuel for certain uses: its low temperature makes
it good for not burning rice soups and stews. Roasting breadfruit is best
done on husk too, wood coals and charcoal
are too hot. This results in a quick burning of the outside while not
allowing enough heat to penitrate and cook through
into the center portions.

Culturally it is interesting to note how people have adapted and used their
resources and the "3 stone fire" to take advantage
of what they have available. As we proceed working on better stoves, which
certainly have myriads of good uses and benefits
there maybe local practices that need to be considered as well to facilitate
adoption.

Michael N Trevor
Enemanit.
Marshall Islands