Burn Piles for Beginners

[SkyPup]

We've been known to have a few bonfires now and then....

 

[MNBobcat]

We've been known to have a few bonfires now and then....

That's one helluva hotdog roaster.

 

[studor]

Nice pics Skypup -- I see your preferred starting method involves an old tire
Out of curiousity, how long did it burn with those big pieces?

 

[SkyPup]

The only way to get a good fire going with lots of stumps and large trunks is to use a tire or two, the burning pieces fall down into the pile and get it going from underneath where the heat pulls in the oxygen.....

A burn like that takes about two-three days of pushing in the outer circle into the middle and then the ashes are hot for at least 10 days - something to consider and manage.

 

[eepete]

Be aware of local codes. Around here, using a tire to start a pile will cost you $500 and up. Not commenting on good or bad, just be aware...

Pete

 

[SkyPup]

True, but one burnt out used tire is better (and cheaper) than 15 gallons of diesel fuel in my book....

 

[eepete]

Yep. Just don't want anyone getting "burned" when a neighbor calls in the black smoke from the tire. Tire is cheaper than fuel, fuel is cheaper than fine, check your local rules as this is indeed a YMMV scenario. I use my used hydraulic oil to start stuff, as I think I posted in this thread earlier.

Great pix, SkyPup you got it going on! What's in the gallon container hanging form the ROPs ?

Pete

 

[beenthere]

Tires work ok, but I hate having to clean up the wire that they leave behind. I only use them to get rid of them, but prefer to start a fire with some dry kindling and work up from there.

Also, punched a hole in my front screen pushing the fire together like skypup is doing. Didn't go through the radiator (would have had to go through the oil cooler first ) so I was lucky. I need a better guard, which I keep thinking about but don't get a roundtoit.

 

[SkyPup]

Great pix, SkyPup you got it going on! What's in the gallon container hanging form the ROPs ?

Pete

ICE WATER because it was so extremely hot out that day!!!

 

[studor]

There is now a depot near me that will take tires for free again so I have a load scavenged off the property to take this weekend. Around here those big chunks would be firewood rather than burn pile

 

[Car Doc]

When I burn I keep spraying water on the fire. That way I have total control of how hot the fire gets. I keep the fire in check and don't let it get too hot.

Me too that works great we have to have a hose handy to burn anyway by law usually. (I didn't have a hose when I did the tires it was an open burn in a snow covered field in a big pit)

One time I thought I would out smart the law and burned some tires after dark after they had givin me permission to burn after sunset but I had to pull the tires out of the pit or get a big azz fine.

So soon as it got dark naturally I threw em all back in and after about 20 minutes I was a nervous wreck you could see that huge black cloud of smoke and fire going straight up all the way to town nobody showed up luckily. I wont be doing that again.

Steve

 

[valley]

I love cleaning and burning reminds me of on the ranch with mom & dad. They used to burn together and have fun doing it.