Viral in Cuba: They transform a Singer sewing machine into a charcoal burner.

Charcoal stoves have resurfaced in Cuba due to the endless blackouts.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

17/10/2024 - 8:10pm (GMT-5) |

In the midst of the serious energy crisis affecting Cuba, where blackouts can last up to 12 hours daily, a clever adaptation has captured the attention of social media: the transformation of a Singer sewing machine into a charcoal stove.

Abel Rodríguez, the author of the post that quickly went viral, shared an image of the invention in a Facebook group from the Spirituan town of Guayos, ironically naming it a "Singer brand charcoal stove with socialist technology."

The Cuban ingenuity, known for its ability to adapt to adversity, has surprised once again at a time when daily survival becomes complicated due to the lack of electricity. This time with the sewing machine that has been the favorite of the women of the island for years.

The comments on the Facebook post reflect both humor and sadness regarding the reality experienced on the island.

"More than laughter, it brings a lot of sadness, although Cuban ingenuity knows no limits. We are monsters in survival," commented a user. Another comment, laden with irony, added: "That technology is really good, we are the envy of the world and let's hope the blockade doesn't find out, because they'll copy our idea right away."

This type of invention adds to the resurgence of coal stoves, used in Cuba during the so-called "Special Period" in the 1990s, when the economic crisis drove the search for alternatives for cooking due to the lack of electricity and gas.

Currently, in several provinces such as Las Tunas and Camagüey, these stoves are sold at prices ranging from 1200 to 2500 Cuban pesos, which is equivalent to the minimum wage in the country.

In response to the complaints from Cuban families about the lack of cooking resources amid the blackouts, the regime itself has begun distributing coal in some provinces, especially in the eastern areas, where this solution has been key in facing the crisis.

Meanwhile, power outages on the island continue to affect more than 1000 MW daily, which represents a third of the national demand, making ingenuity and creativity essential survival tools.

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