His kerosene stove pump broke and he went hungry, then this UP mechanic invented a pumpless stove

Sameerul Hasan Liyaqati was once left without dinner after the kerosene stove he was using developed a fault in its air pump and he could not find spare parts to repair it. With no dry wood available either, he went to bed hungry that night. The experience led him to wonder whether he could build a stove that worked without pumping air.

The next morning, Liyaqati went to his workshop and began experimenting with different designs. Developing the stove proved difficult, particularly because he had to source and assemble components including the tank, burner, pipe and regulator. He also had to manually make the pipe coil, which took considerable time and effort. Eventually, he succeeded in developing a modified kerosene stove that did not require manual pumping.

From ‘Lalla Mistri’ to an inventor

Sameerul Hasan Liyaqati, 36, is popularly known as “Lalla Mistri” in his native Palia in Uttar Pradesh. He has around 25 years of experience repairing tractor and truck engines and earns his livelihood through his tractor workshop.


Liyaqati did not attend school and is illiterate, having spent much of his childhood learning mechanical work. He nevertheless ensures that his two sons and daughter attend school regularly.

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He said his family members and neighbours initially discouraged him from working on the stove because they believed it could be dangerous and potentially harm him. After he successfully developed it, however, his family supported his work. He also acknowledged the encouragement and financial assistance provided by friends including Kanwaljit, Shakti Singh, Bhumil Kumar Gupta, Chandrabahuki and Daulat Rai.

How the pumpless kerosene stove works

The innovation is a modified kerosene stove designed to operate without manual pumping. Its design uses the position of the fuel tank and a heating coil to create the pressure needed to deliver kerosene to the burner.

The kerosene storage tank is positioned above the burner stand, allowing fuel to initially flow downward under gravity. A bent copper pipe is placed around the burner and connected to the fuel system. The stove also has a pressure gauge and a safety valve fitted above the tank.

When the safety valve is loosened, kerosene flows towards the burner because of gravity. A delivery tube from the tank runs around the burner and leads back into the pump. After the flame is lit, the kerosene inside the copper tube heats up and produces vapour. This creates pressure inside the tank, allowing the kerosene to continue moving towards the burner without the need for manual pumping.

A valve regulates the flow of kerosene, while the safety valve allows excess pressure to escape. The stove was tested up to a pressure of 75 psi and was found to operate without problems.

Fuel saving and reduced maintenance

According to the information provided on the innovation, the stove uses less fuel and eliminates the labour involved in repeatedly pumping air. It also produces fewer carbonaceous deposits, reducing the need to clean the burner pores.

The stove does not blacken vessels placed over it and produces less noise during operation. It also requires relatively little maintenance.

Its reported cost was Rs 300, making it comparable in price with a conventional kerosene stove. Because the design reduces the physical effort required to operate the stove, it was described as potentially suitable for women, children and physically challenged users.

From apprenticeship to workshop

Liyaqati developed an interest in mechanics at a young age. At seven, he began accompanying the late Sardar Jagtar Singh to different places as his disciple, learning how to work with machinery.

After spending 12 years as an apprentice, he started his own workshop in Raja Mankapur in Gonda district. It was during this period that he developed the stove.

He later returned to Palia in 1990 and spent nine years working on HMT tractor engines. During that period, he also made several modifications to HMT tractors. He eventually established a small workshop and became known for repairing tractors and engines.

Stove tested in 2002

The pumpless stove was successfully tested in 2002. Liyaqati also attended the Indian Science Congress in Chandigarh in January 2004, where he had an opportunity to showcase his innovation.

He received several business enquiries about the stove but had not entered into an agreement at the time of the account. He expressed an interest in establishing a factory for mass production but said he needed adequate support.

The National Innovation Foundation, in coordination with the Grassroots Innovations Augmentation Network, sanctioned Rs 37,250 from its Micro Venture Innovation Fund for prototype development and market research for the improved pumpless stove and three other innovations.

Liyaqati has said he wants to continue working on mechanical innovations. Among his future ambitions is developing a diesel engine similar to those made by Korean manufacturers or Kirloskar, which he considers comparable in strength despite differences in fuel consumption.