Thematic Book Series: Too Much Combustion, Too Little Fire

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For most of history, the multifunctional fire was the only source of energy in the household. It served as a cookstove, toaster, heating device, lighting source, hot water boiler, clothes dryer, and refrigerator, among other functions. During the twentieth century, the fire was replaced by a wide range of appliances plugged into central infrastructures.

In this series of articles, LOW←TECH MAGAZINE critically examines the efficiency, sustainability, health, and safety of the fire and its flame- and smoke-free modern alternatives. What are we saying when we argue that electrical appliances are “better” than a traditional fire?

Contents table

Too Much Combustion, Too Little Fire

Thermo-electric Stoves: Ditch the Solar Panels?

How to Make Biomass Energy Sustainable Again

Well-Tended Fires Outperform Modern Cooking Stoves

If We Insulate Our Houses, Why Not Our Cooking Pots?

Wood Gas Vehicles: Firewood in the Fuel Tank

Medieval Smokestacks: Fossil Fuels in Pre-industrial Times

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Print edition.

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Patrons get free access to ebooks, as well as early access to new print books at a reduced price.

Other books in the series

How to build a low-tech internet?, Kris De Decker, Roel Roscam Abbing, Marie Otsuka, 2023. Ebook edition.

How to downsize a transport network?, Kris De Decker, 2023. Ebook edition.

Heating people not spaces, Kris De Decker, 2024. Ebook edition

How circular is the circular economy?, Kris De Decker, 2025. Ebook edition

The Low-tech Magazine archives are also available as a chronological series consisting of four volumes.