Wood burner in the garden

[spader]

I have about 3 large bin-ful of fresh wood cut offs from 2-3 year ago, when I was clearing out the back garden. The tree branches were cut off to small stump and little twigs, and stored in the bins. Now they must be well cured and dried after 2-3 years in the bins. I am thinking of ways to burn them in a wood stove or log burner in the garden, during this November - December time when folks do bon fires and also fire works going everywhere in the village and streets.

I wonder if there is a good way to set up a wood stove in the back garden or log burner. I have both in the garden shed, but not having been using them for a few year now, now sure if there are good ways to set it up for the wood burning session. Maybe the easiest way to set up for here would be putting the stove under the tarp by Wolf909 design, which I still have. The tarp has the flue hole which can put through the chimney of the stove through.

I wonder if any of you will be burning wood logs during this autumn and winter in the back garden on the patio or at the corner of the shed doing BBQ or preparing meals off the wood fire in the stove or fire pit.

 

[Stew]

Yes, probably - I’ll just use my washing machine drum fire pit!

 

[spader]

Correction on my old tarp. The accurate model of the tarp seems to be "LoneWolf 902". I had it for about 10 years now. Still seems going strong. Here is youtube clip on the tarp by the designer himself. I found the tarp great for the corner of the garden with the wood stove and chilling out in the summer. But should work ok in winter too.

 

[shaggystu]

Yes, probably - I’ll just use my washing machine drum fire pit!

Mine last weekend, awesome idea whoever first came up with it.

 

[spader]

There seem a lot of videos on the DIY drum fire pit.

 

[HorseGuy]

How long does a washing machine drum last when used as a fire pit?
Are there any issues with them rusting away?

 

[Pattree]

I’ve just been writing an answer to @TeeDee ’s post and had a thought:

What restrictions are there for open fires / stoves in urban areas? I guess it varies with district/authority.

In Telford you risk the fire brigade turning up and putting out your fire. The bill of expenses follows rapidly: £50 last I heard but that was a long time ago.

I think I’ll have to ask at the council. This is interesting!

I live in the “and” region of the Telford and Wrekin authority. It’s the land that Telford forgot (until the river bridge failed and the commuters couldn’t get through the village.).

I’ve slowed traffic on the B5063 with a bonfire smoke without consequences.

However, how restricted might you (theoretically) be making your stove?

(pee ess: It’s always easier to apologise than ask permission!)

 

[Stew]

How long does a washing machine drum last when used as a fire pit?
Are there any issues with them rusting away?

Donkeys years! No issues. I’ve had one sat outside for 5-6 years and no worries….

 

[shaggystu]

How long does a washing machine drum last when used as a fire pit?
Are there any issues with them rusting away?

Mine's been sat out in the weather for the last decade, it's still as good as new.

 

[Stew]

It does remind me that I have a couple of spares to see about moving on for a few quid on marketplace!

 

[slaine_23]

How long does a washing machine drum last when used as a fire pit?
Are there any issues with them rusting away?

They’re pretty tough, I’ve one that’s from pre Covid times, still useable. I don’t leave it out in the rain but it is under cover.

 

[spader]

Donkeys years! No issues. I’ve had one sat outside for 5-6 years and no worries….

Is it because they are made with some stainless steel or alloy material? They can't be made of carbon steel, it sounds.

 

[spader]

I’ve just been writing an answer to @TeeDee ’s post and had a thought:

What restrictions are there for open fires / stoves in urban areas? I guess it varies with district/authority.

In Telford you risk the fire brigade turning up and putting out your fire. The bill of expenses follows rapidly: £50 last I heard but that was a long time ago.

I think I’ll have to ask at the council. This is interesting!

I live in the “and” region of the Telford and Wrekin authority. It’s the land that Telford forgot (until the river bridge failed and the commuters couldn’t get through the village.).

I’ve slowed traffic on the B5063 with a bonfire smoke without consequences.

However, how restricted might you (theoretically) be making your stove?

(pee ess: It’s always easier to apologise than ask permission!)

During the time of late October (Halloweens) and through November, we hear lots of fire works going all night, and I believe some folks have bon fire in their gardens. Surely having some camp fire in this time of year should be ok, no?

The only thing I was not sure about the drum fire pits from the washing machines is, the height of the flames from the drum, when fire is going strong. It can go up very high, so you have to ensure you have nothing flammable near and above the fire pit when it is burning woods, because the flames may rise too high, it can be problem, having no control of the flame height and the intensity of flame itself.

Hence it is safer using some sort of the sealed wood stove, with the doors, flame control vents and chimneys?

 

[Mesquite]

You can always get a chimnea with a spark arrestor

 

[spader]

You can always get a chimnea with a spark arrestor

Yeah seen them a lot for sale in Argos, eBay, Amazon. Must be popular item in UK.

 

[Pattree]

I did check with my local council.
They are unlikely to take any action unless there is a complaint.