Newpaper or cardboard logs?...or manure

TxGypsy · #1 02/25/07, 03:45 PM

Anyone know how you would make newspaper logs or possibly use cardboard for the same purpose? There are almost no trees here....hence...no firewood. We have little creosote/greasewood bushes but there really isn't enough wood on them to mess with. Once they are dry enough to burn they burn really fast. So I was thinking I could use junk mail and recycled paper to make logs from. Only thing I worry about is....it if is made into a log will it throw burning embers the way loose newspaper does? A wild fire here would be really bad. The only other thing I can think of to use in the fireplace is manure. I know they use this in other countries. Is it totally nasty while burning? How would you treat it before use? Thanks!

YuccaFlatsRanch · #2 02/25/07, 03:51 PM

OR come visit us up in the Hill Country and take home a load of logs. Another idea is pallets. Cut up they make excellent firewood (many are oak) and they are free for the taking here in the Kerrville area. In Seattle where wood is plentiful a pallet on the raodside is gone within minutes - can't give away blackberries (picked) up there though.

culpeper · #3 02/25/07, 03:52 PM

NEWSPAPER LOGS

Boil 2 1/2 litres (quarts) of water in a large container with 1 kg (2lb) washing soda until soda is dissolved. Add newspapers to the mixture and boil for 10 minutes, prodding continuously with a stick. Allow to cool, mould into balls about the size of a tennis ball, squeezing each as tightly as possible. Put on a rack or table to dry. When dry, start fire with a few chips of wood and each newspaper log will burn for nearly an hour.

You can try to get a log-press from a hardware store, but the balls work very well. They take quite some time to dry thoroughly. You should be able to get washing soda from your supermarket, if not, try a hardware store or a chemist. It's other name is Sodium carbonate (NOT the same as bicarbonate of soda=baking soda!!)

TxGypsy · #4 02/25/07, 09:28 PM

LOL yuccaflats, I wish it was practical to do that! How much are ya'll getting on a cord of wood in that area just out of curiosity? Pallets are precious around here. You gotta be kin to someone to get a hold of one! Everyone cuts em up and uses em for firewood here.

Thankyou culpepper! That is exactly the information I was needing! Looks easy too. I can't wait to try it. Thanks again

donsgal · #5 02/25/07, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxGypsy

Anyone know how you would make newspaper logs or possibly use cardboard for the same purpose? There are almost no trees here....hence...no firewood. We have little creosote/greasewood bushes but there really isn't enough wood on them to mess with. Once they are dry enough to burn they burn really fast. So I was thinking I could use junk mail and recycled paper to make logs from. Only thing I worry about is....it if is made into a log will it throw burning embers the way loose newspaper does? A wild fire here would be really bad. The only other thing I can think of to use in the fireplace is manure. I know they use this in other countries. Is it totally nasty while burning? How would you treat it before use? Thanks!

There are many programs in developing nations facing deforestation using briquettes for heating (and cooking).

You can use newspapers as a binding element and then any type of bio waste (yard clippings, weeds, wood chips, whatever), to increase the biomass of the briquette. You soak newspapers in water (you can add clorox to speed the process) and mix in the biomass, form into briquettes and dry. The bTUs are about the same as burining green wood.

Doing some google searches on "appropriate technology" will turn up more information on it. If you have any interest to learn more.

donsgal

**clovis** · #6 02/25/07, 10:07 PM

Have you tried cabinet shops and construction sites for scrap wood?

Grandmotherbear · #7 02/26/07, 06:59 AM

Lehmans sells brick and log presses - if the handball method is too onerous or if you plan to go into business.
My coworkers supplied me with a lot of Classico (mason) jars in the past. IThey also brought me soda cans years back when i was selling em to recyclers for funding my scouting activities. You might ask your coworkers for old newspapares or biomass.

YuccaFlatsRanch · #8 02/26/07, 10:44 AM

If you don't mind burning cedar I and many others will give you the logs for free - we just burn it in big piles. With all the land clearing going on around here there also is a lot of oak lying around that can be had for free too. Pallets at numerous places are free for the taking in Kerrville. I suspect it is the same around Junction too. If you had a trailer, you could probably take back enough for you and some to sell also to pay for gas. I have a 16 foot trailer I'll sell you for about $800.00. I used it for carrying my tractor so it will carry a good amount of wood - just have to put up some taller sides. You are welcome to stay in my 5th wheel if you come.

TxGypsy · #9 02/26/07, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuccaFlatsRanch

If you don't mind burning cedar I and many others will give you the logs for free - we just burn it in big piles. With all the land clearing going on around here there also is a lot of oak lying around that can be had for free too. Pallets at numerous places are free for the taking in Kerrville. I suspect it is the same around Junction too. If you had a trailer, you could probably take back enough for you and some to sell also to pay for gas. I have a 16 foot trailer I'll sell you for about $800.00. I used it for carrying my tractor so it will carry a good amount of wood - just have to put up some taller sides. You are welcome to stay in my 5th wheel if you come.

I do believe this is one of the most handsome offers I've ever had! I just bought a heavy duty 18 ft trailer(wish I'd of known about yours). I'll send you a pm. Thanks!