Established in 1976 as Aprovecho, Aprovecho Research Center (ARC), a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, helps to build capacity in organizations around the world by providing biomass cooking and heating stove design training paired with high quality lab and field testing capabilities so local actors can test and improve their wood burning cooking stove designs and programs. We specialize in iterative experimental design of cooking and heating stoves through rapid prototyping and emissions and efficiency measurements with the ultimate goal of improving health and slowing climate change.

We’re best known for bringing some of the most impactful and open-source technology in clean cooking to the world: first the Lorena stove in the 1980s, then the rocket stove and associated design principles for wood burning cookstoves in the 1990s, and now the Laboratory Emissions Monitoring Systems in use at 64 labs and Regional Testing and Knowledge Centers. 

We offer a comprehensive range of biomass cooking and heating design and testing services and tools led by a team of engineers and consultants available to serve on a variety of research, development, and training projects. Please have a look at Our Work and Resources for more information.