Hi all, its R’s turn to write, so here I am. You’re wondering why I’ve used the title I have? Well its actually about heating for winter but in order to get that heating I’m starting in the Summer.
We all get lots of junk mail right? Well instead of being bad and throwing it away or if you’re good, recycling it. Why not recycle it in another way, brick it! Me and D have been saving up all the paper over the last few months once its been shredded and have Finlay started making paper mache bricks out of it for winter. The workshop is a costly enterprise and to heat it during the winter with electricity will take some serious £’s from our accounts. Gas unfortunately leaves much to be desired as it’ll cause condensation on the large machine tools and ventilation isn’t that great. So I came up with the idea of a small wood burner, I liked the idea so much I’m building the burner myself from an old propane cylinder (blog for later) and as I need fuel and free fuel at that, the paper that’s delivered every day is a brilliant source of free fuel. Now if you’re like me and live in a clean air area then wood burners must have a catalytic converter which is very expensive, burning paper doesn’t require such measures and saves even more £’s. Making the bricks couldn’t be easier, shred any paper you want, paper not card, as the card takes for ever to mash down, trust me I’ve tried. Soak in a bucket over night for for a day or two. Now I’ve bought a cheap steel paper mache brick maker from ebay and it works just fine. Add mushed paper to brick maker and hay presto, instant bricks. The brick go in the greenhouse for a week or under one of the cloches in the garden. It takes 7-10 days for them to dry out in good sunny weather which again is free. Come winter I should have a fair few bricks made and the wood burner will also be up and running before the first cold snap. I know not every one will have the luxury or need for a home rolled wood burner nor home rolled paper logs for said wood burner, but its and Idea for cheap heating! I’m often picking up the Metro news paper from the train on my way to and from work to add to the paper pile. Don’t be surprised If a tall stranger asks if your finished with your paper as It could be me. R.
Tags: Alternative heating, paper mache bricks, recycling, wood burner
