Slow days at the office lately. So today I took something to do. Been collecting the Merchandizer and some newspapers for a while. And I’ve been keeping the shreds from work. Into a large plastic trash can with several 1 gallon buckets of hot water. Then I used a paint stir stick on my drill to mix it up. It sat an hour or two during this process.
Having done this before, I like to wrap then in a full piece of paper. Maybe it’s purely asthetics. Made a couple w/out the wrap. Ended up w 18. Taking more papers tomorrow
Lotta variables. Last time I did them, I stacked next to my wood stove in my basement. They took 2-3 days if I recall correctly. Having freshly pressed these yesterday @ my work, and the weather being 80% humidity and rain today, I'm guessing much much longer. They still feel soaking wet. The shop here has a large fan that pulls air through that doorway. Good questions Don. When these dry up and get taken home, I'll weigh one. And I'm going to give my parents a couple to burn in their open fireplace for burn time there. When I use them, I'll post back here.
Back at it this morning. I’m just tearing these papers into strips. Brought a different style stir stick today to see which works best. Long way to go.
I like the wrapped version as well. Could use Christmas gift wrap for the holidays and give as gifts. Where did you get the press?
Bought this one from Northern Tool. I've owned it for quite a long time. I don't soak the wrap sheet very long. It would get too brittle and fall apart. Gift wrap might be challenging, but great idea! Maybe some thicker stuff would work. I figure all this potential fuel would just go in a landfill, so why not use it!! Some people use 5 gallon buckets so the square press definitely not needed. It is a time consuming process, but free time is something I have an abundance of right now. The blow-and-go business is currently very slow. And some take it next level.
A concern I'd have, is with the colored ink and affecting the catalytic in my stove. Excellent for a fireplace!
That was beside my rippin' woodstove. These may take several weeks. They aren't loosing much moisture at all. Yeah, definitely been looking around to see what jobs are available. I really wanna ride this wave till it crashes though, I like it. If something stellar came up, I may bail. My wife is trying to talk me into supporting her becoming a travel nurse. Big big money and I'd travel with her.
Home made firestarter? Bio brick? Just make sure they're below 20% MC before you burn them! EDIT: didnt see thread title just read response. Great job Jason!
Pretty cool way to turn "trash" in fuel. How long did it take to make a batch? Back in the 1970's my dad had a paper roller where you took newspaper and it rolled into a tight log then soaked in water and dried. Dont remember how they burned. Should i start hoarding newspaper for you Jason?
Haha! No, please. It is time consuming. But we get what is called the Merchandizer delivered weekly. It doesn't cost anything. So I save them till they build up to a level I can make brick from. And the bike shop boss saves them from the shop. Completely free heat. If I have to guess, I can get through a completely full trash can in about an hour or a tad more if I'm distracted. It isn't something I rush or see how fast I can do it.
