03/07/2025
Ecomic Cooker: An Innovative Culinary Invention
The Ecomic Cooker was an innovative and eco-friendly cooking device invented in 1959 in Kolkata. Its primary goal was to promote hygiene and economical cooking, making it suitable for preparing multiple dishes at once using minimal fuel. The inventor, Indumadhab Mallik, was inspired by the grand kitchen of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, where food is prepared daily for thousands of devotees.
The Ecomic Cooker resembled a large metallic cylinder. Inside, multiple tiffin carriers could be stacked, allowing different types of food to be cooked simultaneously. It functioned much like a steam cooker, where heat from the bottom reached all levels evenly.
This device was environmentally friendly, reducing fuel consumption, and hygienic, as the food was cooked in sealed containers, protecting it from dust and germs.
The Ecomic Cooker wasn’t just used in homes — it was also suitable for schools, offices, and small eateries. Although its use declined over time, it remains a symbol of social and technological innovation of its era.
