A research professional in Ahmedabad has developed a unique tawa (griddle) that helps save on energy.

R M Savalia, who runs a research centre in Ahmedabad, was prompted to come up with an alternative when he noticed that the traditional iron tawas have poor thermal efficiency and cause wastage of LPG.

"I believe we can save energy in every field. There are approximately 15 crore Indian kitchens, so I thought why not think of a way to save energy in the kitchens," he said.

Metal magic

Savalia decided to use aluminium for his tawa, as the metal is more thermal efficient than iron.

He gave the tawa a ribbed base in the form of concentric circles running along the entire lower surface.

As the heat is transferred to the base, the concentric circles ensure that the surface remains hot for a longer period before cooling down.

This results in the tawa getting heated faster and cuts down on the usage of fuel.

Proven experiment

Savalia's tawa has been evaluated by the Indian Institute of Petroleum in Dehradun, and experts have found that the rotis cook faster on the aluminium model.

Like all innovations discovered by the NIF and GIAN, the tawa has undergone a series of tests, having been given to a number of housewives to get their feedback.

Innovating and experimenting comes naturally to Savalia, who says he spends more time at his research centre than in his house.

For the time being, the innovator is hungry for more as he hopes that his energy-saving tawa can change the way rotis are cooked in the Indian household.