With the arrival of winter, the increase in energy demand for heating becomes a constant in many homes. In this context, An Argentine development proposes an alternative solution to the use of natural gas and electricity: A stove that works with ethyl alcohol.
The system was created by Di Tomaso Design, a family venture led by Gabriel and Matías Di Tomaso, father and son, who They developed this model as an accessible and functional option against energy limitations and the maintenance costs of conventional stoves.
This heating method uses 96%ethyl alcohol, A renewable and accessible liquid fuel that is achieved in general shopspharmacies or wholesale distributors.
The stoves do not require connection to any network or installation work. Nor do they require technical maintenance, which differentiates them from conventional systems that usually demand periodic cleaning or security controls.
Heat is generated through A removable burner that concentrates alcohol in an absorbent stone cloth. This avoids spills even if the stove falls, since the liquid does not circulate freely.
In addition, the design includes a regulatory lid to adjust the intensity of the fire according to the need for each environment, allowing prolonged use.
There are two models available. The first generates 3,000 kilocalories per hour, enough to heating up to 30 square meters. The second reaches 4,000 kilocalories.
In both cases, the estimated consumption is one liter of alcohol for every four hours of continuous use to maximum power.
Alcohol combustion does not emit toxic gases, which allows its use in closed spaces. In addition, the system can be moved from one environment to another thanks to models with wheels, avoiding the need to buy several devices.
In summer, The burner can be reused as a decorative element or as an insect repellent if citronela oil is incorporated. In this way, it expands its functionality beyond the winter season.
Besides, It is possible to acquire only the burner to insert it into existing salamanders or chimneyswhich allows to dispense with the use of firewood and reduce the work associated with its storage, cut or purchase.
The system has been adopted by people in areas without access to gas or electricity, but also by urban users of high purchasing power that seek an alternative heat source.
The same product It is used in precarious homes, weekend houses or residences in closed neighborhoods. Matías Di Tomaso, one of the developers, states that the user profile is diverse.
“There are people who arrive from areas without access to the gas network and with bad electrical connections, so this invention is essential to heating their homes. And they also buy it owners of luxurious houses in country or closed neighborhoods, ”he explained in a recent interview at TN.
The initiative arose in 2017, when Gabriel Di Tomaso crossed a personal and labor crisis. On the recommendation of his therapist, he decided to focus on a manual activity that would be pleasant. In the garage of his mother’s house, he began to manufacture small decorative heater.
It was his son Matías, at that time Tennis Professor, who noticed the design potential as a functional heating method. Together they began to develop the first prototypes and to improve the burner technology.
Today, father and son lead a venture that distributes these stoves throughout the country. His proposal aims to solve a concrete need: heating without depending on networks or paying high ratesusing an accessible, portable and low environmental resource.
