Burning homemade coffee logs

[@lloydparker1645]

Embers and flames look purple

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Yeah thats the Samsung camera on the selfie mode. Didnt look like that in real life. The timelapse video was closer to true life...

[@ThomasGrillo]

Very cool way to recycle coffee grounds! Thanks for sharing this. :)

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@fvrrljr]

i recycle mine in compost, on lawn, plants. never thought of making coffee logs

[@TheREALOC1972]

I make my own coffee logs as well, I make 2 different sizes also, My "small" ones mold is a 28 oz baked bean can and the "big" ones are a 46 oz (1/3 of a gallon) Juice Can. My small ones burn will burn 3- 3 1/2 hours and my big ones will burn 6-7 hours. It doesn't cost me anything other than my time to make mine, I work next to a furniture builder and I they give me all the saw dust I want and my sister owns a coffee shop so I get all the used coffee grounds I want all I gotta do is stop bye and get it.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Thats amazing. Fortunate to have a neighbour like that. How do you conpress yours as thats terrific burn time.... longer than most hardwoods!

[@TheREALOC1972]

@@RobTheFrugalist I found a table top drill press that the motor no longer worked at a curb of a shop, I took it home and took the motor out so it would go up and down and I built compression plates out of plate steel and so it compresses the hell of the bricks.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@TheREALOC1972 nice one! Well done.

[@lisarobinette3949]

Thank you for the tips on what to use for molds. I love these ideas and will try them out.

[@d.torokvaleria9316]

Lucky you.

[@markfannin9454]

It appears that in your initial kindling that there are pine twigs. Although you do not have a lot of it, pine has a sticky sap that even when burned can coat the inside of your fireplace flue, and can be a potential future fire risk. Just an FYI.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

I'll need to look now. I don't intentially use them but we have a pine over our garden so it might be from there. Just had chimney swept. Thanks for the spot. I did burn pine logs last year but it was (very) well seasoned. I know thats a bit of a divisive/talking subject.

[@Janmification]

Here in Aus, you can get a product that sits in the firebox, off to the side called a Smartburn. It drastically reduces carbonised matter inside fireboxes. Look it up. They aren’t cheap, but when we had a log burner they worked very well. I’m getting too old to perch on the roof scraping out the carbon from the chimney cap with a butter knife. Seriously. The smartburn increased the efficiency of burning quite noticeably. Not sure if there’s a knockoff for it.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

I'll look into it. Chimney sweep is the usual one for us this side ...

[@klausnielsen1537]

If they are dry and the fire is going they present no danger. I've burned a lot of those over the years. No problems with soot or creosote at all.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@klausnielsen1537 a number of Scandinavian folk burn little else :)

[@MaryB567]

This is really cool. I have been looking for a way to use my grounds.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Ace. Other things you can do is to stick it in your compost. One thing with this is to keep the coffee dry enough that it doesnt go mouldy before you get to mix it all together.

[@SDWNJ]

@@RobTheFrugalisthow do you keep your grounds dry? It would have been good to have mentioned that in the how-to video.

[@etiennevandam5401]

Thanks! Will try. Hello from Buenos Aires, Argentina

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Let me know how you get on! Any problems we can help figure it out

[@YoChilangoleon]

Wonderful!

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@JamesRamboPearce]

What are they made from? Just coffee grounds? How long did you dry them for? Thanks!

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Coffee sawdust and paper. Exactly how is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/emKaf3x5rrGLd6ssi=fuBevboVYfbABFhy

[@tomlawrence1552]

Love that spinny thing on top - what's that?!

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Its a stove fan (and a present from my amazing family), this is a way of improving the efficiency of the log stove heating. I'll do a video later in my channel for this if people are interested. There are several things you can do to improve the efficiency of the heating of your house via your stove.

[@maxxron]

Is there any direct purpose for adding the coffee grounds other than to use up the waste that would be going into the trash? Or is there a direct reason adding the coffee improves some quality of the logs?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Thats what I am trying to find out. It started when I noticed "coffee logs" for sale in a supermarket. So thought there may be something to it. Sounded a bit like hype so I am finding out. I suspect the difference is less than advertised. But will find out with my 40% coffe logs. (Anything higher tends to not bind/compress with my equipement)

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Certainly reducing waste but also its "wood like material" to burn. It does look nicer than just sawdust briquettes. So aesthetically pleasing but we want a bit more than that.

[@MonkeysUncleDubzClub]

Have you thought about collecting coffee grounds from local cafes and coffee shops? They usually more than happy to give them away as it waste product for them, then that way you’d have enough to mix straight away without having to dry them out first 👍🏻

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Yes. I have some I used in my soon to be released video. You came to exactly the same conclusion as I. It was a little strange walking down the high street with a large warm carrier bag... :)

[@MonkeysUncleDubzClub]

I’ve made some homemade fire starters, did vid on my channel as well as use for old toilet rolls 👍

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Nice you have my subscription

[@MonkeysUncleDubzClub]

@@RobTheFrugalistlikewise pal, keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@BillHartCooks.]

Nce. I put my coffee grounds into my compost. but a log from sawdust and cardboard would be really cool. I suspect that the wood that the sawdust came from would be important in the way it burns.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Yup. Currently pine/eucalyptus sawdust. I'd say oak sawdust would probably burn longer etc...

[@overthinker1844]

​@RobTheFrugalist I've recently started burning wood pellets. What I've read online after milling and pressing wood into pellets is that the burn time is very similar. Because the density is more consistent between hard and soft wood after the process.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Do you make them yourself or buy them? What are they like? And if bought how much do they cost?

[@خالدأحمدالحميد]

هل يمكنك مساعدتي في الحصول على وصفة اعداد الفحم من بقايا القهوة اريد ان اجربها

[@Thingssimplyfied]

Hi, put your ventilation against the Pipe, it will take away the hot air from it to your room.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

How doyou mean? Like blowing against it?

[@Thingssimplyfied]

@ Hello Rob, against the hot stovepipe. You will take more energy from you stove for your room if you change the direction of the ventilation. The air will stream over hotter and bigger surface and will gain more temperature. I hope it is understandable, English is not my mother’s tongue.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Touching the pipe? My concern is it might get too hot and break /damage the circuit. I have it blowing across the pipe from the back of the stove unto the room...

[@Thingssimplyfied]

@@RobTheFrugalist Perhaps we don ´t understand each other . I only mean the stream of air. 👋But you say, you do this already Good evening from Germany

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@Thingssimplyfied thats fine. Send me a diagram at [e-mail] of what you mean :D thanks for the comments!

[@thechickincharge1073]

How does it smell? Does it smell like fire roasted coffee? Is it worth the effort? It sure is a great way to use up trash.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

It doesnt smell. However it does a bit when drying. Worth is subjective. If you are short of wood then yes, definitely. If you have unlimited wood then perhaps not so much

[@RossPotts]

Have you considered using a hydraulic Ram to get more density in your logs?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Sadly I dont have one. I am only working with what I have. Round here they cost circa £100. If you've got one great. The only caveat is I have "heard" if too compressed they wont burn as well. I am not sure what I think of that... I think they'll be ok. One for the future perhaps

[@maxxron]

He wouldn't even need a hydraulic ram. Just a long lever applying force on the ram from a point close to the pivot.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@maxxron i have seen these. They look robust and effective. Beyond my non existent welding skills. (Assuming there thats how you make it...)

[@RossPotts]

@@maxxron good point. I can already envision what you’re talking about. In these times, I’d gotten used to just buying the solution. I need to get away from that.

[@justinsane7164]

​@@RobTheFrugalistgreat video, thank you. It's really to see others sharing knowledge for helping the environment even if it's little bits at a time. A few years back I was toying with this concept minus the coffee grounds. My form I was using to make the logs was similar and I made a frame using 4" X 4" lumber, notched on the corners and bolted them together to make a press. I used a small hydraulic bottle jack to press it. Unfortunately life happens and I had to put the project on the back burner so I didn't get a chance to test different ratios. My focus was for sustainable heat for next to no cost. In fact where I'm living I know several arborists that pay to get rid of wood chips aka mulch as some call it. In theory If I can get enough for free or even paid to take it and turn it into a heat source that can be sold which also can help save other trees from being harvested for heat it becomes a win win win situation. The best ones I made burned for about 2 hours with very little smoke. It was more like they smoldered as a coal in a BBQ rather than having flames. I had the door on my wood stove open which also reduced heat loss through the chimney. I will have to try coffee grounds when I pick the project back up. There's so many Starbucks in my neck of the woods. They're more than happy to share them. I use them in my gardens. I am curious though, is it necessary to dry them? Can you add them directly to the mix? For example, if you plan on doing this on a Saturday then pick up grounds that morning and add right to the mix. My logic of thinking says it should be fine that you're drying them because you're accumulating personal grounds. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@etiennevandam5401]

Have you ever made logs with shredded leaves only?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

No. You? I can think it would work depending on the leaf.

[@peterpiper_203]

Be interested in knowing how the coffee ground logs you’ve made leave the inside of your flue Clean sooty oily as with certain woods leaving behind unwanted residue on the inside liner Like the idea of the coffee grinds Readily available from all the coffee shops

[@RobTheFrugalist]

I have had the chimnney swept no issues. I think most of the oil gets take out in the coffee making process.

[@donaldwycoff4154]

Enjoyed your video: very informative. We have a cat. He uses Yesterday's News. Would be interesting to see if it could mix in with the coffee. If I ever lose my sense of smell, maybe I'll give that a try. He certainly produces his product in copious amounts.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Local cats here use my flowebed for some reason

[@RobTheFrugalist]

On reflection I wouldnt consider burning cats poo to stay alive unless the apocalypse has arrived

[@DroneHDTV]

use wallpaper paste indtead of coffee burns forever

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Nice idea. However I dont have an endless supply of wallpaper paste.

[@lisaharmon5619]

Does it smell like burnt coffee?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

No, no smell whatsoever

[@fvrrljr]

*Eagle Eyes here* tell us about the fan on top of stove. is fan operated by the heat? never mind i found it "Tomersun 4 Blades Heat Powered Stove Fireplace Fan for Home Wood Log Burning Fireplace Circulating Warm Air Saving Fuel Efficiently"

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Great spot that is exactly the one! I think it works well though its harder to feel a warm breeze than a cold one. Wife notices its effect, and thats science! 😀

[@fvrrljr]

@@RobTheFrugalist 👍

[@fvrrljr]

@@RobTheFrugalist 👍

[@elenascott081]

Isn't it dangerous to have the stove in that little cubby space without some sort of heat protection?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

No. There needs to be certain clearances for it to pass regulations. Nothing combustible nearby. woodem oak beams also need a certain clearance something like 45cm. Hearth is slate so it's very safe. Unless you fall on it, while it's on.

[@ScottMason-ss8ww]

Why not shut all the air vents right down once the fire was established? They would have burned much slower and longer. I never have any air flow once the fires took off, shut it. All down for slow as possible burn.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Yup. But it wouldn't have been a fair burn. This is all experimental.

[@VitorMadeira]

Please, set the sound volume into a higher level. It is very difficult to listen to you. Thank you.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

I will try! I might need to invest it a mic! Thanks for your patience!

[@pauls4708]

the burning question is....does your fire hav a hint of coffee smell??

[@RobTheFrugalist]

This is my most common question when chatting with friends. What a boon that would be. Sadly not. Although I have some with higher % coffee in now to test when it gets colder again. But I think the answer will still be no, as there is not even a whiff of it. Although when drying in the garage there is a smell...

[@brianbarber5401]

@@RobTheFrugalistI don’t think you’d want to have that. Ever been near a coffee factory when they burn the beans? It’s not good.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@brianbarber5401 burning or roasting? I have been around a small batch roaster with this huge drum and it smelt great... not quite a factory though, certainly wasnt burning it though... what is your experience?

[@thechickincharge1073]

@@RobTheFrugalistanswered my question!

[@knabdank]

seems like a heck of a lot of work just to have something that burns for barely 10 minutes

[@RobTheFrugalist]

It's a sped up video....

[@DarkShadowAy]

Keen to understand why you're not just throwing the coffee pucks on top of logs cutting out the hard work to make these individual? Granted, they're a lot smaller but it's the small wins in life right?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

This is my kind of thinking. It is the small wins! Not all pucks hold together well and unfortunately they get mould pretty quickly. (If you leave a few pucks out for a few days you'll soon see why). They'll rot before they dry fully. When you combine them with the sawdust they dont get mouldy. I suspect its the antimicrobial effect of the sawdust. The coffee doesnt have it once in puck form as its removed in the coffee making process.

[@DarkShadowAy]

@@RobTheFrugalist Many thanks for your reply! You confirmed my thoughts. Now I don't want to go through the work in making them but I'm wondering if the small pucks would add any burn time rather than binning them?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@DarkShadowAy try it. Make sure they are dry. Perhaps leave them on a bit of newspaper to make sure they dry. I dont think it will make a big difference though... if you do try it let me know!

[@DarkShadowAy]

@@RobTheFrugalist I'll be sure to report back. I've still not had an opportunity to light our stove after having it fitted but the temps look like they'll be dropping this weekend!

[@RobTheFrugalist]

@DarkShadowAy look forwards it it! I am still poised to test my 45-50% coffee I've had for about 5 months now!!! Almost forgotton how much coffee it had in it

[@BillO964]

You would have to drink a bunch of coffee to make this worth anything.

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Yes. The main ingredient is actually the sawdust. Coffee about 15% however I am trying with higher %. Saying that many coffee shops would give you a few kgs of grounds for nothing.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

hi Bill, I live in an area in which coffee shops abound...getting grounds in huge amounts would b no problem. You don't have to create the coffee grounds at home :)

[@Aquariusfalls]

The way he holds his camera, Was this guy an emo kid in the early 2000s?

[@RobTheFrugalist]

Glad I look like I was a kid in 2000s I'll take that