This video is all about how to use a garden incinerator, and how it can save work at an
allotment - although the principles apply at home too. But before you burn, check the
regulations and rules that apply where you live. You don’t want to cause a nuisance
to your neighbours, or burn anything that causes air pollution.
The key point is that garden incinerators burn hot. Actually, very, very hot. Once they
get going, they can burn through garden debris quickly, even wet material, saving you the
time and mess of taking the material to a tip.
If you’ve pruned your fruit trees or fruit bushes, cut down your old raspberry canes,
gathered together your Brussel sprout stalks or potato tops that you don’t want to throw
on the compost heap to avoid spreading disease, bagged leaves in autumn, have old wood left
over timber from diy projects, or any other woody matter not suited to a compost heap,
then a garden incinerator can be just what you are looking for.
The reason garden incinerators burn so hot is their excellent air flow. They have a big
hole in the bottom, and holes in the side, that help a fire get really hot. Once they
get going, and that is really the key to burning most things, the heat is sufficient to dry
out wet matter and burn it through.
When buying a garden incinerator, make sure that you have the legs, nuts, and bolts that
come with it. In DIY stores, these things can go missing, and it is annoying to have
to go back to the shop and ask for them. Also, don’t forget the lid of the incinerator!
It does not take long to assemble an incinerator. I started with the legs which are screwed
on to the base of the incinerator using the holes pre drilled in the bin. The legs are
really important to ensure that there is good air flow through the base of the incinerator.
My incinerator also had an inner flu which is screwed to the inside base of the drum.
The purpose of the flu is to prevent the hole at the bottom of the incinerator getting blocked
when you fill it with what you want to burn. This seems like a great idea, but on my bin
I’ve found the metal supports quite flimsy so that they bend easily under pressure, so
it is less effective than I’d like it to be.
To get a good fire burning, I screw up newspaper into balls and place this at the bottom. Around
this I place some dry grass or small twigs, and then larger sticks and branches on top.
Basically, just like you would when making a bonfire.
If filled correctly with dry material, the incinerator will only take a few moments to
light. I use long matches that can be poked through the holes in the side of the incinerator
to light the paper.
My tip is to make sure you have some large pieces of wood to add when the incinerator
gets going. You want to create a really strong hot fire before you start adding anything
wet or green. This heat is important to keep the fire going. If the fire is not strong
enough, wet material will burn very slowly, or even put the fire out completely.
If you have a roaring fire in your incinerator, it will burn through things very quickly.
Preparing in advance incinerator sized pieces of what you want to burn is helpful. Otherwise,
you may find the incinerator burns faster than you can refill it.
Be aware that wet material can produce much more smoke than dry material. You may want
to consider your neighbours, especially if the wind will blow the smoke in the direction
of their houses.
Finally, a word on safety. These are not safety instructions, you should always read the instructions
that come with your incinerator, and check any local rules, regulations or laws that
apply where you live.
However, this is what works for me.
I always wear thick gardening gloves, strong boots, and have my arms covered. This is to
avoid the risk of burns.
As the fire inside the incinerator is very hot, so are the surfaces of the incinerator.
Therefore I don’t touch it when burning. The lid goes on at the end, I don’t remove
it during burning to add more content.
I add new material when the flames have died down sufficiently to avoid any risk of getting
burned. Having a big poker on hand to push the material down into the incinerator is
helpful, and I choose a poker that won’t burn!
I choose the location of the incinerator very carefully. There should be nothing below,
around, or above the incinerator that could catch fire. I stand the incinerator on paving
slabs or bare earth. It needs to be flat, I don’t want my incinerator falling over.
I make sure that nothing is around the incinerator that can burn, including the stack of material
that I want to burn. This includes checking upwards to make sure there are no overhanging
trees, or branches that can catch alight.
This is all because it is very easy when loading the incinerator for burning material to fall
out of the top or bottom of it. These can set light to anything around it. Also, sparks
can fly out.
On windy days, these can travel quite a distance. Therefore, I avoid burning on windy days.
Also, I will never burn in very dry weather, to avoid any risk of vegetation around the
incinerator catching fire. Fire can spread through dry grass. If in doubt, I don’t
burn.
I never use accelerants, like oil or petrol. If I prepare the fire properly with dry material.
There is simply no need to use them.
I like to keep a couple of full watering cans on hand, just incase accidents happen.
Lastly, I follow the principle of never leaving a burning fire unattended. An incinerator
can fall over, or suddenly start to burn much hotter with flames jumping out the top. I
like to start burning early when I get to the plot, to make sure I burn what I need
to before I want to go home.
For more tips on growing your own fruit and veg, visit my website allotmentbook.co.uk.
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