Fire! Fire!
December 24, 2004 2:19 PM Subscribe
Can anyone give me advice on the best way to ignite a brushpile before the drying days of summer? (MI)
I have several large piles of sticks and brush ranging from VW Bug-size to Airstream trailer, and would like to burn them down in order to get some fresh grass seed on the ground. I live in a damp climate (Oregon), and frequently I have gone through liters of lighter fluid only to see it fizzle out. Someone once suggested diesel fuel...thanks.
I have several large piles of sticks and brush ranging from VW Bug-size to Airstream trailer, and would like to burn them down in order to get some fresh grass seed on the ground. I live in a damp climate (Oregon), and frequently I have gone through liters of lighter fluid only to see it fizzle out. Someone once suggested diesel fuel...thanks.
I've always used the most available hydrocarbon (ie, gas, motor oil, kerosene) ) and a paper, never had any issues. If it's raining, road flares are nice, but not required.
posted by sled at 6:49 PM on December 24, 2004
posted by sled at 6:49 PM on December 24, 2004
Sterno. Seriously. It will slowly dry out the brush, then eventually it will catch. If you don't have a sterno can handy, try a tuna can with a little bit (1/8-1/4 inch) of Coleman fuel in the bottom. The first time my son and I went on a Cub Scout father-son campout, it was very wet & miserable, and we went McGyver and invented the tuna can Coleman fuel thingy. And we were the only ones that were able to get a fire started. We were gods.
posted by Doohickie at 9:31 PM on December 24, 2004
posted by Doohickie at 9:31 PM on December 24, 2004
P.S. Do NOT pour or spray Coleman fuel on a fire (or even a smoldering spark). The results, are, well, explosive (I've seen people lose their eyebrows in milliseconds).
posted by Doohickie at 9:32 PM on December 24, 2004
posted by Doohickie at 9:32 PM on December 24, 2004
Response by poster: Doohickie - thanks. The sterno rec. is inspired. Yes, I almost started a conflagration one night in Glacier Natl. Park when I was absently schpritzing Coleman onto a fire and set a towel on fire and almost everything else nearby.
I'm curious, though, how one sets a tuna can full of fuel alight without something bad happening?
I love C. fuel, but I'm scared to death of it. Gas seems quaint by comparison.
posted by docpops at 10:00 PM on December 24, 2004
I'm curious, though, how one sets a tuna can full of fuel alight without something bad happening?
I love C. fuel, but I'm scared to death of it. Gas seems quaint by comparison.
posted by docpops at 10:00 PM on December 24, 2004
Coleman fuel is "white gas", gasoline without automotive additives (and low octane). Gasoline and lighter fluid evaporate as they burn (the fumes have to mix with air before they can burn) and cool what they are laying on. This is how a wick lasts so long. I would try building a regular campfire style fire down low and in the center of the pile with dry wood and newspaper. Or get a good campfire going and throw the branches on. You might also try a "tiger torch" or such, a propane torch with a 2-3" diameter burner on the end of a 2' section of pipe fed by a bbq style propane tank. You can get generic versions at hardware stores for ~$30-50. I use mine to light my charcoal grill without lighter fluid.
posted by 445supermag at 9:20 AM on December 25, 2004
posted by 445supermag at 9:20 AM on December 25, 2004
The best way to burn them is to take apart the brush piles and build Fires. a well constructed fire that dries and ignites the smaller pieces first and gives time for the larger logs to catch is your best bet.
more tips on fire building
posted by Megafly at 11:46 AM on December 25, 2004
more tips on fire building
posted by Megafly at 11:46 AM on December 25, 2004
Maybe if you take some dry wood and build a big fire upwind and right beside the damp brush piles?
posted by LarryC at 7:30 PM on December 25, 2004
posted by LarryC at 7:30 PM on December 25, 2004
As a veteran of many brush and slash pile burnings, my personal tips follow.
Wait at least six months from cutting to burning, as this allows the wood to season. You can wait three months if it's all twigs and small limbs.
Burning in winter is good. Ideally you want to burn during low humidity with a slight breeze. Never burn on gusty days, as the embers can travel up to quarter-mile. Although it's possible to burn wet wood, you'll generally want to wait 3-4 days after the last rain.
Ignite your fire with a mixture of diesel and gasoline. The safest ratio is 3:1, although I use 2:1 . Straight gasoline is too dangerous, and straight diesel is tough to light. For the piles you have, you'll probably want to mix five gallons at a time.
Pour the fuel mixture liberally to coat as much of the pile as you can. Don't be stingy, as you don't want to add fuel once the fire starts. Your VW-sized pile will probably need 1-3 gallons. The bigger pile might need up to five gallons. Using a 3:1 diesel/gas mix, you can use a fireplace lighter to light the pile.
Have a metal rake handy to control the perimeter fire. As the pile burns down, move everything towards the middle to keep the burn going. I use my tractor-- you'll probably use your metal rake and/or wooden poles.
It normally takes me two burns to vanquish a sizeable brush pile. Wait a day or two between burns. With your Airstream-sized pile, you'll probably get 15'-25' flames at first, so no piles near trees or buildings!
posted by F Mackenzie at 11:14 PM on December 25, 2004
Wait at least six months from cutting to burning, as this allows the wood to season. You can wait three months if it's all twigs and small limbs.
Burning in winter is good. Ideally you want to burn during low humidity with a slight breeze. Never burn on gusty days, as the embers can travel up to quarter-mile. Although it's possible to burn wet wood, you'll generally want to wait 3-4 days after the last rain.
Ignite your fire with a mixture of diesel and gasoline. The safest ratio is 3:1, although I use 2:1 . Straight gasoline is too dangerous, and straight diesel is tough to light. For the piles you have, you'll probably want to mix five gallons at a time.
Pour the fuel mixture liberally to coat as much of the pile as you can. Don't be stingy, as you don't want to add fuel once the fire starts. Your VW-sized pile will probably need 1-3 gallons. The bigger pile might need up to five gallons. Using a 3:1 diesel/gas mix, you can use a fireplace lighter to light the pile.
Have a metal rake handy to control the perimeter fire. As the pile burns down, move everything towards the middle to keep the burn going. I use my tractor-- you'll probably use your metal rake and/or wooden poles.
It normally takes me two burns to vanquish a sizeable brush pile. Wait a day or two between burns. With your Airstream-sized pile, you'll probably get 15'-25' flames at first, so no piles near trees or buildings!
posted by F Mackenzie at 11:14 PM on December 25, 2004
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:34 PM on December 24, 2004