Fo Shui Lo - Keroscene Stove

Fo Shui Lo (Kerosene Stove) was one of the most representative Hong Kong-made cookware in the 1960s. In the decade that followed the end of WWII, Hong Kong's population grew from 600,000 to 2.5 million. From the primitive squatter huts to the Resettlement Estates, the influx of immigrants lived in cramped spaces where bathrooms and kitchens were shared by multiple families. The emergence of Fo Shui Lo greatly reduced the space required for cooking.  

"Fo Shui" means kerosene. This stove was originally designed for outdoor and military use. It was later reinvented by a local manufacturer in Hong Kong into a bigger size for indoor use. The stove's body was made of thin iron sheets, which were light and affordable. As soon as it was launched in the market, it gained tremendous popularity among housewives. It quickly became an essential property of every household. However, it was also very accident-prone due to its flimsiness and ease of being knocked over. Many serious fires, such as the Shek Kip Mei fire, were caused by a similar kerosene lamp.  

After the commercialization of LPG and natural gas, Fo Shui Lo slowly became obsolete, ending the glorious days when it once filled thousands of homes with warmth and light.