A garden incinerator is a simple device that allows you to burn waste at home. The ashes produced by plant residues can be used to correct the composition of the soil just as if they were compost. These devices have lost popularity due to the risks related to air pollution, although the main protests are from neighbors who see their property invaded by smoke. It is easy to learn how to build a garden incinerator and saves money compared to buying a commercial device.
Steps
Step 1. Get an aluminum trash can
The best container for a garden incinerator is the classic cylindrical bin which has now been supplanted by the plastic model with wheels. You can still find it at home improvement and gardening stores, but a used bin is also fine for your project.
Step 2. Make holes for the vents
The bin must have openings through which the air that feeds the flames can pass. Make a series of holes along the circumference of the container a few centimeters from the bottom; make sure they have a diameter of 5 cm; you can use a hacksaw with metal blade or a hole saw drill.
Step 3. Prepare the ground on which to place the incinerator
It should be an area free from flammable material. It is therefore better to find a surface covered with earth and not with plants and grass; also make sure that it is at a safe distance from the house.
Step 4. Put bricks under the incinerator
Arrange some by creating a single circular layer that can support the bin. This extra space further isolates the heat, preventing it from spreading to neighboring plants and allows for greater circulation of the air that feeds the fire.
Step 5. Fill the bin with plant waste from the garden
After placing the bin on the bricks, transfer the waste into the bin without compacting it. Do not occupy more than half of the capacity; if you burn carbon-rich materials (such as leaves and dry branches) you improve combustion efficiency; also check that the plant material is dry to the touch before burning it.
Step 6. Burn the vegetable waste
Set the material on fire with a lighter and wait for the combustion to burn out. If for any reason you have to stop the process, put the lid on the bin to smother the flames; never leave a functioning garden incinerator unattended. When the fire has burned out completely, you can use the ashes to adjust the composition of the garden soil.
