Eateries switch to husk-based chullah amid LPG crisis
Berhampur: Amid the LPG short supply, several eateries across silk city have started using paddy chaff as an alternative source of fuel and have made a specialised chullah for the purpose. The specialised chullah is made up of and cement with strong iron roads along with a high-rise chimney to release smoke.
“We took around two to three days to make a paddy-husk based chullah, which costs around Rs 1 lakh,” said Sudam Sahu, a chullah-maker. Besides Berhampur, he had made such types of chullah in several other towns in the state and Andhra Pradesh before the LPG crisis .
In the chullah, the paddy husks burn in the lower part and heat the iron rods installed in the upper part of the chullah. It gives more heat and lasts longer than other sources of fuels. The food is cooked in the iron rod heat. More number of items like dosa, idili, bara and others can be prepared at a time through this mechanism, he said.
The burned husks are also in demand by brick industries in Andhra Pradesh, sources said. Earlier most in the city practiced this method to cook food and even today many continue using it as bio-fuel . In its fuel policy, notified in April 2021, the state govt has allowed agriculture residue as fuel.
After disturbance in cooking gas supply , he has received orders to make chaff-based chullah in their hotels in different parts of silk city. “Due to a short supply of cooking gas, I have decided to switch over to paddy husk as an alternative fuel ,” said Santosh Dalei.
Some of our food items like dosa, idli and bara are prepared on this chullah, said an eatery owner. He said he procured the husk at Rs 7 to Rs 10 a kg and requires around 10 to 12 kg husk every day.
“We took around two to three days to make a paddy-husk based chullah, which costs around Rs 1 lakh,” said Sudam Sahu, a chullah-maker. Besides Berhampur, he had made such types of chullah in several other towns in the state and Andhra Pradesh before the LPG crisis .
In the chullah, the paddy husks burn in the lower part and heat the iron rods installed in the upper part of the chullah. It gives more heat and lasts longer than other sources of fuels. The food is cooked in the iron rod heat. More number of items like dosa, idili, bara and others can be prepared at a time through this mechanism, he said.
The burned husks are also in demand by brick industries in Andhra Pradesh, sources said. Earlier most in the city practiced this method to cook food and even today many continue using it as bio-fuel . In its fuel policy, notified in April 2021, the state govt has allowed agriculture residue as fuel.
After disturbance in cooking gas supply , he has received orders to make chaff-based chullah in their hotels in different parts of silk city. “Due to a short supply of cooking gas, I have decided to switch over to paddy husk as an alternative fuel ,” said Santosh Dalei.
Some of our food items like dosa, idli and bara are prepared on this chullah, said an eatery owner. He said he procured the husk at Rs 7 to Rs 10 a kg and requires around 10 to 12 kg husk every day.
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