Abstract This report presents the optimisation of a ceramic-matrix composite (anthill sand and cement), reinforced with treated coir fibres for applications in the construction of a low costsolar powered cooking stove to solve the current trends in the depletion of forest spaces in Ghana due to excessive destruction as a result of using firewood for cooking by a higher percentage of rural communities. The reinforced coir fibres reduce undesirable traits in ceramics including, low fracture toughness and low flexural strength. Sample characterisation involved; fibre modification, tensile tests of fibres, three-point bend tests on the composites, water absorption tests on the composite materials, hardness tests, and compressive tests. A prototype was developed and tested for thermal performance and analysis before the first prospective model of the stove was fabricated.
