A composite case study based on the households who switch daily — the numbers reflect what typical Nairobi families report.
The Household
Family of five, Langata — mama mboga cooking daily, father grilling occasionally, teenagers making tea. Fuel: a charcoal jiko + occasional kerosene for quick things.
Before: The Charcoal Budget
- Charcoal tins: ~KSh 3,200/month
- Kerosene top-ups: ~KSh 600/month
- Pots replaced annually (soot damage): ~KSh 800/year amortised
- Total: ~KSh 3,800/month — plus time and smoke
The Switch
A 13kg ProGas complete set — cylinder + burner + regulator + hose — about KSh 7,200 all-in, delivered same day.
- Upfront: KSh 7,200
- Monthly after: ~KSh 2,900 — one 13kg refill every ~5 weeks
After 3 Months — The Tally
| Charcoal era | LPG era | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fuel cost | ~KSh 3,800 | ~KSh 2,900 |
| Cook start time | 15–20 min lighting | Instant |
| Kitchen air | Smoky, irritating | Clean |
| Pot condition | Black, scrubbed weekly | Normal wear |
| Cooking control | Feast or famine heat | Dial-in simmer |
The Payback Math
~KSh 900/month saved → the KSh 7,200 setup paid back in ~8 months — then it's pure savings forever, plus everything else the table shows.
What Surprised Them Most
- The time: ~10 hours/month back — "we didn't count it until we had it."
- The mama mboga's health: less coughing, no eye-burning smoke — the benefit nobody prices.
- The kitchen stays clean: walls and ceiling no longer grey with soot.
- Breakfast speed: tea in minutes before school — no jiko ritual at 6am.
What They'd Tell You
"We thought gas was for rich people. It was the cheapest upgrade we ever made — we just didn't see the charcoal costs adding up."
Your Version of This
If your household burns daily charcoal, the same math applies: the full fuel-cost comparison breaks down every option, and a 6kg set (~KSh 3,000) is an even cheaper entry than this family's 13kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the payback always that fast?
For daily-cooking families: typically 6–12 months. Lighter use = longer payback but same direction.
What if I can't afford the setup at once?
A 6kg complete set is the budget entry (~KSh 3,000); upgrade to 13kg when you can.
Do I keep the jiko?
Many families keep it for nyama choma days — gas for daily cooking, jiko for occasions.
Make the switch: complete sets for every budget — delivered today with setup guidance. Shop complete sets →