Porous media combustion (PMC) is relatively a new concept, and due to its inherent characteristics of high efficiency and low emissions, it has found wide applications in many practical systems like internal combustion engine (IC engine), water heater, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) stoves, etc. In this study, the concept of PMC has been employed in a kerosene pressure stove, and the usefulness of the media consisting of alumina (Al2O3) and silicon carbide (SiC) in terms of efficiency and emissions is investigated. Further, the conditions for optimum efficiency and emission are brought out through a systematic analysis with different burner geometry and exergy calculation. The major highlight of this study is that the highest efficiency of the stove with porous media is found to be similar to 10% higher than the average thermal efficiencies of the stoves available in the Indian market. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.