Often we can have an overgrowth and build up of garden waste in our backyards, along with the struggle of how and where to dispose of them. Purchasing an incinerator bin from your local garden supply store can be costly, and with the dramatic rise in this year’s cost of living, a lot of homeowners are turning to DIY projects to save the pennies.
An incinerator bin is a great tool to have in your backyard, allowing you to dispose of branches, leaves, hedge cuttings, twigs and other organic items. It’s important to note that incinerator bins should never be used to burn household items and anything that may cause pollution or give off gases that are harmful to people’s health. Here are some tips and tricks to building your very own garden incinerator bin:
Building your own incinerator bin
Shop for Supplies
When building your own incinerator bin, it’s vital you have the correct supplies to avoid accidents and injury. Afterall, the finished product will be a vessel for fire, which in itself is extremely hazardous.
The best type of material to use when crafting your own incinerator is aluminium. Aluminium is a metal that best copes with the high temperatures created by burning garden waste. Look for an aluminium barrel in your local garden supply store. Ensure it’s in good condition, is rust free and has a sturdy base. This will ensure your incinerator bin has a solid, safe structure.
If you don’t think you have the skillset or patience to create a DIY incinerator bin, there are plenty of products on the market. Reading incinerator bin reviews can aid substantially when looking for the best incinerator to buy.
Drill Some Holes
Once you have your aluminium barrel, drill a series of holes around the bottom to allow for fresh air to enter the vessel to keep the fire strong.
Use a jigsaw fitted drill with a metal-cutting blade, or an electric drill with a hole saw to drill some 2 inch diameter holes. The holes should be a few inches from the bottom of the bin, around the entire circumference.
Ensure you protect your hands and face by wearing gloves, goggles and a mask to prevent injury from any loose, flying metal debris. It’s also important to keep all skin covered to avoid any cuts or abrasions.
Prepare Your Location
Once you’ve drilled your holes, you’ll want to decide the best area in your garden to place your incinerator bin. When deciding on a location, ensure the area is soil covered, or on a non-combustible surface such as brick or concrete. Locating your incinerator bin in close proximity to grass, trees, greenery or any other flammable materials puts you at risk of starting an uncontrollable fire.
Uncontrolled fire can spread quickly through your garden, putting your home and neighbours homes at risk. Keep your incinerator at a safe distance from your house or other surrounding structures. The further away, the better.
Create a Brick Support
Use a few bricks to create a sturdy support for underneath your incinerator bin. Place the bricks in a single, circular layer and place your incinerator bin on top, making sure the structure is safe, sturdy and unlikely to topple over.
Placing bricks underneath your incinerator bin creates space between the fire and the ground and surrounding wildlife. This adds extra protection from wildfire, as well as providing extra circulation to keep the fire going for longer.
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Fill It Up
Now your incinerator is complete, you can begin filling it with garden waste. Always ensure you do not fill your incinerator bin more than half way, as this can cause the fire to become out of hand.
Fill up your incinerator bin with a range of organic materials, such as leaves, branches, twigs, grass or old fruit and vegetables. Dry leaves and stems will keep the fire burning more efficiently, so try to fill with a majority of these materials.
Always make sure the contents you’re putting into your incinerator bin is dry, as damp matter won’t burn efficiently. Never put household waste, plastics, or any materials in your incinerator bin that will cause pollution or are harmful to health. It is illegal to do so.
Light The Waste
Once your incinerator is half full (or less), use a match to light the waste and allow it to burn.
Stay with your garden incinerator bin until the contents have fully burnt and the fire is out. Never leave a fire unattended. Leaving a fire unattended can result in wildfire which can cause extreme damage to surrounding nature and buildings, or even death.
If you wish to put out the fire, use the incinerate bin lid and place it over the top. This will stop the flow of air which will cause the fire to burn out faster. Ensure the contents of the incinerator bin is fully cool before leaving it unattended.
Once the contents are cool, you can make use of the ashes in your garden as soil amendment. This will help your greenery and plants thrive.
