Access to modern reliable and safe energy services, such as electricity and clean cooking facilities, is essential for meeting basic needs and improved living conditions, while the lack of it can lock people into energy poverty. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) also aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all and has specific targets for improved access to clean cooking facilities. However, approximately 37% of the world’s population lack access to clean cooking facilities. Globally, many households still rely on traditional biomass fuels like wood, charcoal, or animal dung for cooking, which can result in harmful indoor air pollution and have adverse health, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts. The percentage and number of people without access to clean cooking facilities can vary across regions and countries. In the context of Indonesia, the issue of energy poverty is a significant challenge that affects a considerable portion of the population. Although the Indonesian government has been implementing the LPG programme since 2007, several regions of the nation still rely on traditional fuels. As an example, Pitai in Nusa Tenggara Timur, East Indonesia, has only 1.2% of its households using LPG. This study investigates the key determinants influencing the use of firewood for cooking and the acceptance of LPG in Pitai village. This research adopts micro-ethnography as it is a very powerful method for illuminating the details of a social phenomenon. Data was collected through observing household behaviour during cooking and having in-depth conversations with different members of the household. The results of the study reveal that the majority of Pitai households are trapped in dirty fuels. A combination of cultural and institutional factors such as comfortability in using firewood, abundant supply of firewood, lack of good LPG supply, fear of LPG accidents and the price of LPG remain key determinants for weak adoption of LPG. The findings of the research also suggest that improved cookstoves, subsidies for LPG, and education and awareness can help facilitate energy transition in Pitai.