Burn Barrel design

[zzvyb6]

Make at least one of the draft holes large enough so a leaf blower can be used to accelerate the process. I also put a small hole in the bottom so rain water can leach out after a downpour.

 

[k0ua]

Make at least one of the draft holes large enough so a leaf blower can be used to accelerate the process. I also put a small hole in the bottom so rain water can leach out after a downpour.

12 gauge up close takes care of the larger holes:laughing:

 

[dragoneggs]

Make at least one of the draft holes large enough so a leaf blower can be used to accelerate the process. I also put a small hole in the bottom so rain water can leach out after a downpour.

Good idea, zz... I do the same with my leaf blower on my burn pile How you make the hole is the fun part... but maybe not as much as burning the heck out of something though. I love what heat does to things.

 

[GLyford]

One thing that really adds to the life of the barrel for me is to get a lid when I get the barrel and place the lid on the barrel after burning. I find that it is rain soaked ashes hold the moisture and cause the bottom of the barrel to rust out in a short time.

Ashes+Water=Lye, so it's no wonder that it rusts faster if you let it get wet.

 

[Thomas]

55 gallon drum 4 1/2" holes in bottom for drainage,4 or so 1/2" about 1/3 up from so fire can breath better,screen of sort on top just in case catch something hot may fly out.

 

[jack707]

If you cover it it will last longer.

 

[Wagtail]

UPDATE: Having read all of the replies (and not possessing a rifle/shotgun) I decided to try out the 'vortex' design. Seeing as I have a 5" counter-rotating saw I used it to cut a large 'X' in the bottom to provide drainage/air-intake... the saw was like a hot knife through butter! :thumbsup: A pair of flat-nose pliers easily put a slight 'downward' bend to assist drainage.

I then cut two, opposite facing, rectangles on the lower portion. One of them large enough for a shovel. Seeing as the barrel is 6' in diameter, I marked and cut 3 vertical lines half way up at 2' intervals. I used a crowbar to open up the cuts to form the vents... thankfully I remembered to form my vents all in the same direction. :dance1:

I did run a flat file over all of the cut edges just to remove any burrs. If I didn't, then that 'one' would surely cut my clothes or me later on. I finally walked a magnet over the work-area to get all on the metal shavings & such (which would've surely found their way into some tyre or boot sole).

 

[k0ua]

UPDATE: Having read all of the replies (and not possessing a rifle/shotgun) I decided to try out the 'vortex' design. Seeing as I have a 5" counter-rotating saw I used it to cut a large 'X' in the bottom to provide drainage/air-intake... the saw was like a hot knife through butter! :thumbsup: A pair of flat-nose pliers easily put a slight 'downward' bend to assist drainage.

I then cut two, opposite facing, rectangles on the lower portion. One of them large enough for a shovel. Seeing as the barrel is 6' in diameter, I marked and cut 3 vertical lines half way up at 2' intervals. I used a crowbar to open up the cuts to form the vents... thankfully I remembered to form my vents all in the same direction. :dance1:

I did run a flat file over all of the cut edges just to remove any burrs. If I didn't, then that 'one' would surely cut my clothes or me later on. I finally walked a magnet over the work-area to get all on the metal shavings & such (which would've surely found their way into some tyre or boot sole).

Looks good, I bet it works..Let us know how it performs.. :thumbsup:

 

[Wagtail]

UPDATE 2: Light'er UP!

A 'perfect' burning day came up yesterday (according to the Bureau of Many-Guesses), so I called the Tassie Fire Brigade to let them know I was doing a burn (Thanks from them!).

I mowed a 10 meter area, set up a 'fire hose' + a metal rake. I also had a 5 litre jug of water & cup for my own hydration. Personally, I wore long cotton shirt & trousers, safety boots, sunglasses and (most importantly) a set of anti-flash gloves & hood [which I still have from my Navy days ]

I set the barrel up on 3 fireplace bricks that I had around the place. Balled-up newsprint & some cardboard into the bottom with some old engine oil, followed by small branches. Then the rest of the old engine oil...

One match later and within seconds it was all alight and the vortex 'swirl' was happening!

Two observations: 1) It was so efficient that I was run ragged trying to keep the fire fed... which also (almost) led to me becoming seriously dehydrated!

and 2) The radiated heat was surprising! If I wasn't dressed the way I was I would have had difficulty approaching the barrel at times!

All said, I'm quite pleased with this burn barrel and I thank you all for your suggestions. roposetoast:

 

[2ndhalf]

We always went out with a brick of .22 rimfire and a semi-auto (to save time), and had fun while punching the holes.

HA Ha! I was thinking this too when I read that he drilled holes. I was going to say shoot the holes in it.. always loved getting a new burn barrel :laughing: