The traditional methods of smoking fish often have health hazards, hence the need for this innovative solution. This study, therefore, presents a hybrid fish smoking kiln that combines solar and electric power sources to provide a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective method of smoking fish. The fabrication of the smoking kiln was carried out at The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria to optimize energy usage of the smoking process, minimizing waste and maximizing energy efficiency. The study further outlines the construction materials, design specifications, and operational procedures of the hybrid kiln. The study shows that the hybrid kiln is efficient, capable of smoking large quantities of fish, reducing smoking time, and improving the quality of the final product. This kiln promotes sustainability in fish processing, supporting environmental conservation and socioeconomic development in fish farming communities.
The weight loss of the fish sample being calculated was used to determine the smoking efficiency. The smoking kiln was tested by using catfish clarias gariepinus of an average moisture content of 62.5% within an average period of 5 hours, the average final weight of the dried fish was 0.24 Kg. with a desirable golden-brown colour. Additionally, the fish processing time was reduced compared to the traditional drum oven method, and the temperature of the heat supplied was significantly higher. The overall carbon footprint of the food preservation process is minimized, leading to a more sustainable operation. Solar energy is clean and renewable, producing zero greenhouse gas emissions during its generation.
The acceptability of the hybrid smoking kiln was evaluated by conducting a survey of users’ opinions and experiences. The survey showed that 71% found the hybrid smoking kiln to be safe, easy to use, more cost-effective and improved health outcomes compared to traditional smoking methods. Despite the numerous benefits, the study reveals that hybrid fish smoking kiln is not affordable. However, as solar technologies continue to advance and become more affordable, integrating solar power with electric heating in smoking kilns will be an attractive climate-smart option for sustainable fish and food preservation practices.
Key words: Hybrid, Fish, Smoking Kiln, Climate-Smart. and Sustainable Practices.