At this point, we are pretty much digital only when it comes to the news, but we know we are in the minority. So when we stumbled across these interesting, sorta old fashioned products we thought we'd post them for for those who get a daily paper AND have a working fireplace.
Creative Reuse: Newspaper Brick Maker & Log Roller
Both available from Lehman's, the products provide both a way to recycle newspapers and a source for heat when used in a fireplace - a thrifty proposition.
Here's what Lehmans says about the Brick Maker ($49.95):
A great way to recycle newspapers and an invaluable tool used in parts of the world where firewood is not readily available. Compressed wet newspaper dries into 81/2"x31/4" bricks that burn at the rate of about 4 per hour. Just soak newspaper (mix with sawdust and chopped grass if desired) and fill brick maker, then press down on handles. Remove brick and allow to dry, then use like wood in your stove.
...and the Log Roller ($37.95): Our newspaper log roller will give you a way to use up those old newspapers in a useful and constructive manner. Tightly wrapped newspaper burns slowly and provides extended periods of heat. Insert folded edge of paper into slot and start winding, once started, keep adding sections of newspaper until log is desired size (3 1/4"OD maximum), with practice a log can be rolled in about 5 minutes.
Has anyone used these? Do they work well? Please let us know in the comments - we've not seen them before and are very curious...
Comments (9)
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My dad used to roll his own newspaper logs in the 1970s. They worked great and eleminated the Sunday paper pile up. But they generated a ton of ashes, much more so than wood. Luckily our neighbor had a compost pile and was happy to take the ashes off our hands.
view Lori's profile
Never tried it, but I was looking for something like this a few years ago when I had a fireplace. looks cool.
view plasticorange's profile
It reminds me of Wall-E!
view lurker2209's profile
i remember seeing those brick makers in the 70s (in Germany) â¦-D
view maike's profile
I think people from Gizmodo or BoingBoing discussed the brickmaker a while back, people said that the newspaper bricks never quite dried completely. It may take a year like freshly cut trees to dry out.
view maidmoron's profile
I bought the brickmaker from Lehman's last year. Works great, no complaints.
view verano's profile
On a similar compacting note, a friend if mine has started using an industrial machine she purchased to compact left over/waste saw dust from her employer's furniture manufacturing and sells the resulting briquettes as fire wood. They work brilliantly and are re-using an exisiting waste product that her employer was previously putting into the garbage!
http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/c-Stuff-for-Sale-homeware-furniture-outdoor-backyard-bbq-Recycled-Timer-Briquettes-Eco-Friendley-firewood-indoor-outdoor-W0QQAdIdZ61482365
view appleton's profile
I have one - works fine - but burning newspaper makes a ton of ashes. Unless you either a) enjoy cleaning the fireplace or b) have a special fireplace vacuum...I wouldn't do it.
view gibby's profile
It sounds funny, but reclaimed street pavers can be used to make beautiful walkways and landscapes for your yard. A friend of mine turned me on to Lincoln Brick and Supply (http://www.lincolnbrick.com) and they were able to offer a variety of masonry services including the use of a reclaimed paver. It’s not the first thing one thinks of when putting together a plan for redoing a brick patio or walkway, but let me be the first to say that Lincoln came through in a pinch for me.
view asdf3001's profile