10/26/06

1. Can I use shredded paper to make logs?
2. Can I use a pipe/bucket/flowerpot to make logs?
3. Does printed paper contain poisonous elements?
4. Should I be getting black smoke?
5. Can you use the ash from a paperlog on the garden?
6. Can I use paperlogs in my smoker?
7. Can I burn dried dog mess?

Can I use shredded paper to make logs?

Yes you can the only thing to watch out for is that the edges of the paper are likely to be very tight as they have just been cut. I'd recommend a long soak so that the edges can open up more and help bind the log together. The other beauty is that is you making your personal information impossible to recovered, you've shredded it, washed it and then burnt it. If you're using a cross head cutter then I'd recommend wrapping the mix in a sheet or two of paper as you would for sawdust.

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Can I use a pipe/bucket/flowerpot to make logs?

Yes to a pipe and yes to a flowerpot. Cut a disk of plywood slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipe or a fair bit smaller that the top of the flowerpot. Once filled with mash then push the board down and place a heavy weight on top of it. After two or three days knock out the logs and low to dry.

I'd worry about using a bucket as the block could get stuck, at least with a pipe or flowerpot you have holes through which you can push the log is necessary.

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Does printed paper contain poisonous elements?

99.99% of all paper is made with vegetable dyes but sure as eggs are eggs someone, somewhere will find some paper that uses a lead based dye or similar.

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Should I be getting black smoke?

The only time I've got black smoke off of a paper logs is when I accidentally used plastic backed card in the mix (even then it wasn't much). Check what you put in your mix. Try to always add some wood even if it's only twigs and I find it improves the burn.

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Can you use the ash from a paperlog on the garden?

If you take onboard my comments on Does printed paper contain poisonous elements? then the answer is yes it's fine as long as you haven't added coal or coal dust to the mix. I can't find out why but my family always insisted that coal ash was only used to grit the path or mixed with cement to build paths.

Wood ash is a useful additive to the compost heap.

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Can I use paperlogs in my smoker?

You could make pellets of sawdust up for a pellet fed smoker in you could get or make a mould of the right size. My two concerns would be; will they make the required amount of smoke and would they stay together (if they broken apart too quickly you could quickly find your cold smoker becoming a very hot smoker).

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Can I burn dried dog mess?

You all dried animal waste will burn (so will human come to that), but ask you're self are you really up for not only collecting it but also drying it. Once it is dry are you going to be that keen to bring it into the house to burn it. If you do use it and invite me in can I have my toast from the toater please and not the fire.

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