5 Star Stoves creates a local bio-energy value chain out of waste biomass, producing biomass pellets which are used in an updraft gasification stove to cook and heat. The stoves are assembled in the community and distributed locally via a franchising model. The enterprise thus generates income for the local community, encourages the more efficient use of natural resources and also improves energy security by using local bio assets.

The enterprise purchases biomass from pre-vetted and trained harvesters at a fixed price. The biomass is then pulverised, dried and densified into pellets and sold to stove users at a markup. Stoves are assembled locally and distributed in the community via a franchise model. Payment for the pellets is facilitated by a local service provider. This makes it possible to track and manage the business per stove user and so record carbon savings and business revenue per unit.