Coal Briquettes

[Alice]

I have an open fire and burn logs and smokeles fuel. I've been cleaning out the coal bunker to get ready for a delivery for the winter and I have loads of dross in there. I can't burn it as I have a Spanish basket and the dross just falls through. Does anybody know how to make briquettes. My husband thinks it's some kind of mixture of dross and cement but no idea beyond that. Hope somebody out there does it or can remember how.

[pigletwillie]

A friend bought us a "log maker which really is just a mould that you put soaked newspapers in and squash into a brick shape and then leave to dry. you could perhaps use that but add the coal dust into the wet paper or do as my mum used to do and wet the slack and put it into old sugar or flour bags and leave to set (and it does) and toss those on the log fire.

[Alice]

Thanks for that Piglet. I think I'll mix the dross with the newspapers. That would get rid of them too. I think I better look out some old clothes !

[Alice]

I've started making the Briquettes Piglet. Put them in 3" pots to set. Seem to be working well but will find out when I put them in the fire. Now that you're my MOM I'll let you know how they go. Thanks for your help with it

[pigletwillie]

They look the business Alice, do let me know how well they burn.

[bramble]

My mother has an open fire and lots of coal dust (slack as its called here) and i am sure she would be delighted if i made some for her for the winter. Thanks both of you for tip. Will let you know how it goes.

[Gryfon]

Those look good!

We did have one of those newspaper brick makers...but broke it after pushing too hard to get all the water out