Paper brick maker

[chickenbrain2009]

Thanks, I have already tried that, but I just dont seem to be able to get a good brick, I asked some people on a different site, cant remember which one and people there said they ddint find the brick maker worked very well either. So I am interested to hear if there is something which can be done to make it better. I have tried making smaller bricks etc, tried mixing in sawdust etc, nothing seems to make it very good. Its rather frustrating as its such a good idea.
Pam

[p.penn]

I know my daughter made them for a while - as far as I can remember, the only problem she had was the drying out, and that was solved by clearing a space in the greenhouse for them. Having said that, I don't recall any feedback from her regarding the actual burning.

Sorry, that was a useless reply!!

[chickenbrain2009]

I saw the video on this site and thought that it must work or there would be no point in making a video for it
Pam

[p.penn]

I know Richard makes and burns them. I expect he will be along soon....

[Richard]

Hi,

See you have problems. The secret I think is in the amount of water you squeeze out when making them. You have to virtually sit on them to make them firm enough to hold together.

Also, you need to let the paper soak for at least a few days and ensure you tore it all up into smallish bits.

The other thing is not to dry them too quickly, put them somewhere warm and just wait. Sometimes this can be a couple of weeks.

I assume you're just using newspaper and not other glossy stuff etc?

Hope it sorts out, Richard

[chickenbrain2009]

Yes, I stand on the thing to squeeze out enough water and I have tried soaking them. the fact the flame is blue would indicate not enough oxygen I suppose................I just cant get enough heat from them.

[chickenbrain2009]

I have even tried making it into a kind of papier mache

[p.penn]

Don't suppose you are having the same trouble as I am?

Newspapers

[chickenbrain2009]

sounds like it? I have problems sometimes getting my newspapaer to burn but again usually its because there is not enough oxygen caught in between the folds
Pam

[Richard]

Interesting, some people swear by certain newspapers for burning as in preferring Daily Express to Daily Mail etc.
It's probably the thickness of the paper, maybe the ink they use as well.

With the blue flame, mine always flame blue, but last very well.

Richard

[chickenbrain2009]

Some people said that the logs burn very slowly and are mainly suitable for keeping a log burner going overnight. Perhaps I need to have yet another go
Pam

[manda]

We have found putting a layer of paper in first and wrapping it around the pulp like a parcel made the brick more stable (for want of a better word).
We tend to mix them with wood so you get that burning mix....they do burn slower.

[Richard]

Good tip Manda.

I only use mine in the Rayburn, they certainly last longer than on an open fire. But even on the open fire they're good.

[p.penn]

Not if you have fireproof paper I would think.

[manda]

We've got a woodburner ....it will usually burn through the night if we load it up with half wood half bricks and close down the vents.

Fireproof paper would present a challenge though