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[wobs]

I've found myself with about 20 telephone directories from last year (don't ask). Having a real fire, I've been thinking about the obvious thing of burning them, but rather than just putting them straight on, I thought I'd do a bit of experimenting.

I just happen to have a long card tube from the sash window kit, which fits the yellow pages nicely if you roll them up. I've cut the tube into lengths that just fit the yellow pages, and put 3 of them to soak over a weekend, and 3 left just dry. I also put some white pages to soak to see if it will make any difference (probably not).

When they're all dry (could take a while now!), and its cold enough, I'll see how they all burn and compare and contrast. Fortunately I also have a chimenea to test these things, incase it produces large flames (don't want to set light to the chimney!).

Should be interesting if nothing else.

If it's successful, I should be able to get many more tube to shove the directories into, to create log shaped fuel for the fire.

 

[Me!]

Fortunately I also have a chimenea to test these things, incase it produces large flames (don't want to set light to the chimney!).

It will be fine. The main problem I find with burning paper as logs is that it tends to smother itself with too much ash. Please let us know how you get on though, I'm planning to try something similar but on a smaller scale this winter. I've been collecting small cardboard boxes and toilet roll tubes to experiment with filling with paper, cardboard and sawdust etc. to put on the woodburner this winter.

 

[bournonite]

Well the horses here poo all over them after they are shredded, then the resulting pooey, pee-ey gooey mess gets scraped up and shoved onto the muck heap - makes nice veggies...

 

[NT]

I got round the ash and flareup problems by putting paper at the sides of the fire next to the walls.

NT

 

[wobs]

I've found myself with about 20 telephone directories from last year (don't ask). Having a real fire, I've been thinking about the obvious thing of burning them, but rather than just putting them straight on, I thought I'd do a bit of experimenting.

I just happen to have a long card tube from the sash window kit, which fits the yellow pages nicely if you roll them up. I've cut the tube into lengths that just fit the yellow pages, and put 3 of them to soak over a weekend, and 3 left just dry. I also put some white pages to soak to see if it will make any difference (probably not).

When they're all dry (could take a while now!), and its cold enough, I'll see how they all burn and compare and contrast. Fortunately I also have a chimenea to test these things, incase it produces large flames (don't want to set light to the chimney!).

Should be interesting if nothing else.

If it's successful, I should be able to get many more tube to shove the directories into, to create log shaped fuel for the fire.

Well I've been burning directories now for a few weeks. The results are interesting.

Soaking them made no difference unsuprisingly.

When I put a directory in a tube, and put it on the fire, it retains its shape the whole time, so doesn't smother the fire nearly as bad. It does however keep the fire going steadily, and produces heat longer than most of the wood.

Infact last night I put one on top of the wood, and popped across the road for a pint (not the wisest thing I admit), and when we got back, the only thing left was the tube and paper inside glowing and a flame coming out of each end.

I found some thick walled card tubes and they work a treat. However, it can help if you scrape off a layer of ash after a while.

When they are attended to and I continue to add wood on top, they provide a good heart for the fire, producing lots of heat.

I have to cut the tubes to length of course, and they are just the right size for the directories.

 

[Nemesis]

Right - next off, I delegate you to find how to get Yellow Pges to rot down in the compost heap!

I know tearing 'em would help, but I'm only weak and feeble.

 

[Me!]

Right - next off, I delegate you to find how to get Yellow Pges to rot down in the compost heap!

Could you try sawing the whole binding off the back of the directory with a wood saw to separate out all the pages easily?
N.B. I've never actually tried doing this, so I don't know if it will work!

 

[Nemesis]

Sounds like a lot of work!

 

[Me!]

When I put a directory in a tube, and put it on the fire, it retains its shape the whole time, so doesn't smother the fire nearly as bad.

I've found it is similar with tighly rolled junk-mail pushed into an old toilet roll tube. I've only used them on the woodburner so far and not the open fire yet, but they burn well and keep their shape.

 

[Me!]

Sounds like a lot of work!

Chainsaw? .... No, only joking, "Please do not try this at home!"

 

[wobs]

Right - next off, I delegate you to find how to get Yellow Pges to rot down in the compost heap!

Could you try sawing the whole binding off the back of the directory with a wood saw to separate out all the pages easily?
N.B. I've never actually tried doing this, so I don't know if it will work!

Couldn't you remove the glue spine with an electric plane?

May try that at weekend :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Chainsaw sounds more like - I have one of those!

(see thread about being nice to PPUk posters...)

 

[wobs]

Well I'm sure it would be more fun.

How much is a chain saw license these day?

 

[Nemesis]

You don't need one to have one at home.

 

[wobs]

Ooooooh yes!

That just might go on my Christmas list!

 

[Nemesis]

But they can be dangerous.

 

[wobs]

Well yes, without a doubt.

 

[Nemesis]

I just don't wish to feel a sense of responsibilty when the Chainsaw Massacre happens cos we have fallen out over rising damp v nuclear power - or whatever.

 

[Me!]

You don't need one to have one at home.

Do you need a licence to have one not at home?

 

[Nemesis]

Well we haven't...