Home heating

[DundeePrepper]

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9048

Have a look here.. seems exactly what your looking for..

[Deeps]

Resurrecting an old thread but I couldn't find anywhere better to ask a question, I fancy getting a paper briquette maker, I don't really need it, its more a case of having plenty paper and cardboard readily available and topping up our recycling bin. I'd only really be using it on the chiminea or fire pit, I've got wood for them but as I say, it seems a waste to just ditch all this cardboard etc for only a little effort on my part. Basically is there much point spending more money for more expensive briquette makers or will the cheap ones do just as well and would I be right in assuming cardboard will be fine to use as well as paper. Having a look on Amazon/Ebay there's quite a variation on prices so any steerage would be appreciated.

[grenfell]

Frankly Deeps don't bother. I , like many others , have tried the whole paper bricket thing and most have come to the same conclusion that it's just not worth the hassle. Firstly you'll need a dustbin of soaking paper , then somewhere with drainage to actually process it into bricks . The run off is mucky grey mess. After that you'll need somewhere to stack the soaking bricks in order for them to dry . In the house isn't the best idea , you'll just make the house damp. A green house or vented shed works but again takes up space. Then when they are eventually dry they burn quite quickly so not a lot to show for all that effort.
If you really want to try it , knock up a frame of say 4x2 and compress it with the jack from your car ( actually that's how I did it , box , frame , hydraulic jack ).
Probably much better to stuff the paper in the tubes from toilet rolls or just twist it into a tight stick.

[Deeps]

Frankly Deeps don't bother. I , like many others , have tried the whole paper bricket thing and most have come to the same conclusion that it's just not worth the hassle. Firstly you'll need a dustbin of soaking paper , then somewhere with drainage to actually process it into bricks . The run off is mucky grey mess. After that you'll need somewhere to stack the soaking bricks in order for them to dry . In the house isn't the best idea , you'll just make the house damp. A green house or vented shed works but again takes up space. Then when they are eventually dry they burn quite quickly so not a lot to show for all that effort.
If you really want to try it , knock up a frame of say 4x2 and compress it with the jack from your car ( actually that's how I did it , box , frame , hydraulic jack ).
Probably much better to stuff the paper in the tubes from toilet rolls or just twist it into a tight stick.

Thanks for getting back to me, that all sounds a bit underwhelming, we seem to be topping up our paper bin so it seemed like a cunning plan to kill a couple of birds with one stone. I'll put it on the back burner (geddit) for now.

[preparedsurrey]

What about shredding it and mixing it in with the compost if you garden?

[Deeps]

What about shredding it and mixing it in with the compost if you garden?

Its not out of control or anything (our paper/cardboard waste) and I don't think Her Maj needs the extra compost, she's got a couple of bins of it. It was just an idea, thanks for suggesting it though.

[sniper 55]

I'm sure I've seen a video on youtube of a guy making paper logs with two plastic buckets, one had holes in it to drain the water out.

Found link (not tried this myself)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cnruhJbRnU

[grenfell]

Interesting and seemingly simple method although I think his two weeks to dry out is somewhat optimistic .
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eko-Mania-Paper ... B000OOCMB2
Have a read of the reviews on the link for other peoples experiences. One has even done a sort of time and motion study to cost out the logs , free being objective if one discounts ones own time . Another comment points out that this is a fairly seasonal process. You'll get damp making them which is pretty unpleasant in the winter plus drying times are likely to be longer at that time too , although I suppose there's probably more free space available in the green house .
'Course on the plus side if you have little income and the time , the raw materials are basically free so it may be worth considering .

[pseudonym]

Course on the plus side if you have little income and the time , the raw materials are basically free so it may be worth considering .

Much like collecting sticks and fallen wood.

[grenfell]

Yes indeed and that very point is made somewhere in the comments in the amazon link . Perhaps I should have said little income , the time AND find yourself in a situation where foraging for fuel is impossible although such situations might be few and far .