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Burn barrels WAAAAAY OT

F

Fred Werring

Well-known Member
So we still use burn barrels. Been buying barrels that contained motor oil. $15ea. Torch out the top, add some vent holes, burn trash.

Outfit close to me does spray in insulation. They have barrels $5 ea.

But my understanding is the insulation contains isocyanates, the nasty stuff in paint hardeners.

I'm thinking this might be a bad idea to use these as burn barrels. Plus I don't know how flammable this stuff is when I torch off the tops.

I know, only $10 difference, but hey $10 is $10.

Thoughts?

Fred
 
Cutting the top would be the only real issue. If you would drill a hole and cut the top out with a jig saw instead of a torch you should be alright. You just need to stay away from the barrel for the first few fires until the isocyanates burn off.
 
When I take the tops off mine an air chisel gets the job done in a few minutes make sure you wear ear plugs.
 
I use burn barrels by my shop, but I'm not about to touch one with a torch to cut the top out. I blew up a gas tank once, and I have no desire to do an encore.

I always chisel the top out.
 
Neighbor and a guy in town still uses barrels, in fact I acquired 5 old heavy barrels and cut them for the neighbor, they might out last her!! Fill them water with in a couple of inches of the top and start cutting. Did this to 6 old diesel fuel tanks from trucks, was this time of year so everything didn't stay hot very long.
 
I still use one. The one am useing now had one of the componets of spray foam in it. Torched end out.Have had more problems with ones that had petrolem products in them cutting end out.
 
Torching is a BIG no-no. Boom! You can use a cold chisel. just like a can opener..As said,all the 'bad stuff' will be gone after the first fire.
 

Many times I've take the bungs out of a barrel and set it in some straw or other burnable debris, lit the edge of the pile and got the heck out of there.

Never had one blow up (yet) but they make a pretty good "WHOOSH" out of the bungs if there's some flammable vapor in them.

Once the fire dies down you have a "pre-seasoned" burning barrel that's not likely to explode when you cut the top out of it!

(Don't try this at home, kids!)
 
I used to cold chisel the tops out and then punch air holes near the bottom with a pick axe. Then I got a "can opener" somewhere for removing the tops. Burn barrels were outlawed quite a few years ago in my area so I don't make burn barrels anymore.

mvphoto69879.jpg
 
FIL used to use a barrel, when it finally rusted out, I bought a 4 ft tall section of 4 ft wide culvert to use. That was 8 years ago, it’s still there. I need to turn it over but will probably last a few more years.
 
I did them with a 3 pound hammer and a heavy thin chisel. No acetylene to buy. from 1980 until 1994 I charged $2.
 
Fred, I use old dual rims stacked, then welded. Bigger and thicker than a 55 gallon drum. Usually last 10-12 years and if the tires on them are shot, I can pick up a set under $15 at an auction. I know some of the people around me use them for "fire pits/rings"

Mike
 
(quoted from post at 12:54:19 02/11/21) I think I would ask the folks at the insulation shop how [i:589c956989]they[/i:589c956989] would open the top.
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If that shop is just a little smart, they will not offer any suggestions on how.
 
Just to play it safe keep keep everything above ground my nephew walked into a buried tractor rim 3 years old luckily it was only hot ashes I'll never forget the scream.
 
I go through one a year.. burn alot of cardboard now that where I am they dont allow cardboard in land fill..
I was able to pickup 12 barrels few years back for free from a atv dealer.. had oil in them.. Drained the barrels through a filter and came up with 1 gallon of 10-30 oil.. BONUS..

I dont torch my top off I use hammer and chisel usually..
 
Well welcome to the South At least no State or local law against it , unless the feds have something no problem here.
 
Wrap an old fence panel into a circle to make a burn ring. Lasts longer than any barrel. Occasionally stick an old pipe or hooked rod through the mesh to stir the fire. Woven fence works too.
 


Don't worry about breathing nasty stuff. Cancer takes many years to get to where it is really painful and you have to die of something anyway right?
 
I gave up on barrels and welded a couple of scrap rear tractor rims stacked together. Bigger than a barrel, and every so often I just roll it off and pick the ash up with a loader bucket.
 
You better ask AlGore and John Kerry and Hollywood Movie Stars for their permission first it will probably destroy the planet !!!

John T Hurry this will go POOF lol
 
I cut out both ends burn some hole 1/3 way up for rods to make a grate and place over a hole. Move occasionally to new hole and cover hole. I open the first end with a chisel
 
I use my sawsll and cut both ends out. Then to clean just roll it away and scoop the ash into tractor bucket and then spread on the tomato patch.
 
Use a pipe wrench and hammer to cut the top off. Put the pipe wrench loosely on the top edge of the barrel with the handle sticking out from the barrel. Hit the part of the pipe wrench that is inside the ring with a hammer or maul. Just repeat the procedure all the way around the barrel. No worry about an explosion and no buying fancy tools for a very infrequent task. Used this many times when I worked in the am oil co research facility.

Personally not a problem for me since I had a friend build a burn barrel out of stainless steel. Have used it for about 15 years and it hasn't burned out yet. If I have it done again there would have to be some design changes to prevent warping.
 
No restrictions on burn barrels in my county (Davison) General burn bams sometimes in dry fall or drought.
 
(quoted from post at 09:13:22 02/11/21)
(quoted from post at 12:54:19 02/11/21) I think I would ask the folks at the insulation shop how [i:6ec4e3a0f8]they[/i:6ec4e3a0f8] would open the top.
Click to expand...

If that shop is just a little smart, they will not offer any suggestions on how.
Click to expand...

True! However, they [i:6ec4e3a0f8]should[/i:6ec4e3a0f8] be able to tell you the flammability of the contents, or how it might react to a torch.
 
Again difference in location here in Tennessee the pick of of cardboard is gone , still take news papers but cardboard is worthless here .
 

I've read the newspaper reports way back when about the explosions from cutting open oil drums. Have a few now I want to make a stove for the barn. Been debating on whether a grinder would be the same as a torch. Can do the hammer and chisel but want to use the cut off piece as a door on hinges. Put some firebrick and sand in the bottom and figure out how to have a cleanout. Figure the bung hole could be a vent but not sure if it should be at the top or bottom with the barrel on its side.

Most big cities here in KS have banned burn barrels. Some of them banned barrels when the trash haulers unionized and wouldn't lift 55 gallon drums. Burn barrel and/or pit is just fine in the county but you are supposed to call it in to 911 to let them know whether you are burning in a barrel, pit, wood pile, or pasture. Now they have county wide pickup with their own containers so not too many people burn anymore.

Got another idea here. Have a small creek crossing I've been wanting to build and put in pipe but it is expensive. Guess I could put some open ended barrels together since those are cheap and bigger than pipe I can buy.
 
Drum would work for a very small creek, but would probably rust out quite quickly.
Neighbor had a big old tank, about 4ft in diameter, from the junkyard and used that for
a culvert. Later the guy who installed it was going to put down a base for a trailer
site on the far side of the culvert. Found out that his load of gravel on the dump truck
started to crush the culvert so he had to dump the load on the near side and use a
skidsteer to move the gravel to the far side. So consider what you are going to drive
over your creek.
 
(quoted from post at 17:41:30 02/11/21)

Don't worry about breathing nasty stuff. Cancer takes many years to get to where it is really painful and you have to die of something anyway right?
Click to expand...

Had both my parents die from cancer in their early 70's. Not a good way to go. I'm 61 now, makes me wonder how much time I have.
 
Sorry but a good cold chisel & 4 lb hammer is way quicker & a lot safer than the cutting torch, angle grinder or pipe wrench methods. Only a good air chisel is faster & safer than an old fashioned hammer & chisel. I haven't removed a barrel end for years, but I bet I could take one out in less than five minutes or less with a hammer and chisel. BTW, cut the bottom out & remove the bung plugs & turn the barrel upside down so rain water drains & sit it up on couple of concrete blocks, it'll last a lot longer.
 
Somewhat local high school, shop class was going to build a barbecue, 1 student died when he attempted to cut the barrel with a grinder the drum had contained peppermint oil.
 
A stainless steel drum out of a washing machine will out last a few hundred barrels, and you can usually get a broken-down washing machine for free.
 
(quoted from post at 13:30:29 02/11/21) Well welcome to the South At least no State or local law against it , unless the feds have something no problem here.
Click to expand...


Might want to confirm for yourself...........I

"The state of Tennessee prohibits residential trash burning. Tennessee regulations only allow us to open burn natural substances such as leaves, limbs or untreated lumber. Any substance, which has been man-made or altered from its natural state, cannot be burned."
 
(quoted from post at 15:32:45 02/11/21)
(quoted from post at 09:13:22 02/11/21)
(quoted from post at 12:54:19 02/11/21) I think I would ask the folks at the insulation shop how [i:8833998fcd]they[/i:8833998fcd] would open the top.
Click to expand...

If that shop is just a little smart, they will not offer any suggestions on how.
Click to expand...

True! However, they [i:8833998fcd]should[/i:8833998fcd] be able to tell you the flammability of the contents, or how it might react to a torch.
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure those barrels are plastered with d.o.t. And epa and osha etc. etc. Labeling that warns of world ending and other minor catastrophes.
 
That was one of my favorite jobs growing up, burning trash in a 55 gal barrel. I got to play with matches, and didn't get in trouble for it.Stan
 
That being the TN law, my neighbors and I will have to be watchful. Most of the rural residents in
this W. TN where I reside county have burn barrels and use them regularly.
 
(reply to post at 08:10:10 02/11/21 you can buy or make a , drum deheader. amazon, even have them, you tube has a lot on their site about making them, even electric ones, just don't borrow the wife's.
Click to expand...
 
(quoted from post at 18:07:31 02/11/21) I am pretty sure those barrels are plastered with d.o.t. And epa and osha etc. etc. Labeling that warns of world ending and other minor catastrophes.
Click to expand...

ROFL

What, you don't care for [i:d4a08761f3]impending doom[/i:d4a08761f3] stories?? *lol*
 
(quoted from post at 23:41:50 02/11/21)
(quoted from post at 18:07:31 02/11/21) I am pretty sure those barrels are plastered with d.o.t. And epa and osha etc. etc. Labeling that warns of world ending and other minor catastrophes.
Click to expand...

ROFL

What, you don't care for [i:6658a9f794]impending doom[/i:6658a9f794] stories?? *lol*
Click to expand...


kcm, there are many people who cannot learn from ANYTHING. They are doomed to take the proverbial 2x4 on the side of the head, LOL.
 
(quoted from post at 10:06:50 02/12/21)
(quoted from post at 23:41:50 02/11/21)
(quoted from post at 18:07:31 02/11/21) I am pretty sure those barrels are plastered with d.o.t. And epa and osha etc. etc. Labeling that warns of world ending and other minor catastrophes.
Click to expand...

ROFL

What, you don't care for [i:0da0861576]impending doom[/i:0da0861576] stories?? *lol*
Click to expand...


kcm, there are many people who cannot learn from ANYTHING. They are doomed to take the proverbial 2x4 on the side of the head, LOL.
Click to expand...

Hardy har har!
There is so much doom and gloom warning stuff on everything people ignore ALL of it.

There is a reason for those stupid California cancer causing labels on a deadblow hammer. Some stupid person might eat grind it up and make a hammer pie.
The reason is the the safety police are idiots.
 
(quoted from post at 21:20:59 02/11/21) That was one of my favorite jobs growing up, burning trash in a 55 gal barrel. I got to play with matches, and didn't get in trouble for it.Stan
Click to expand...

We had a box of .22 bullets when I was young and dumb. Threw some in and ran and hid. Heard a bunch of pop, pop but when we looked there were no holes in the barrel. Threw a few more in a couple more times wrapped in paper so they stay together with the same result. The rest of the box we laid on the sidewalk and fired them off with a hammer. That was more fun.
 
(quoted from post at 10:46:49 02/11/21) Not allowed to burn trash in my state anymore, or they will fine you if they catch you.
Click to expand...

That is just sad. Most rural folks here burn their trash except during really dry spells when a county puts a burn ban in place. Other than risk of fire spreading and causing a prairie fire there is no good reason to not burn if you are in an area with large lots or in a rural area.

Many of us in the city have good sized fire pits for "entertainment" and burn a lot of trash in them.
 
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