Homemade Incinerators

Abiding by Fire Codes

• Consult your local fire district before constructing a homemade incinerator. Many government offices provide guidelines for safely modifying a burn barrel, but your local area may also be subject to more stringent rules and policies governing backyard burning. Many cities do not allow any burning within city limits, whether using a burn barrel or a professional incinerator.

Choosing a Barrel

• A burn barrel should consist of a metal 55-gallon drum. Be sure that the barrel is completely clean, inside and out, before you make modifications for a homemade incinerator. Dirty barrels may create smoke or increase the risk of a fire getting out of control.

Modifications to the Barrel

• Cut three evenly spaced 3-inch-square vents in the lower section of your barrel to provide fresh oxygen to the fire while burning debris. You can also add another set of vents in the middle section of the barrel if you prefer. Cover all vents with 5/8-inch woven metal mesh screen to prevent burning debris from escaping and igniting a wildfire.

Covering the Barrel

• Construct a cover for the burn barrel using the same 5/8-inch metal mesh screen. Cut the screen to a square that is slightly large than the barrel opening to ensure that no ash or debris escapes.

The Surrounding Area

• Position your homemade incinerator at least 30 feet from any structures. Clear all debris and dry grass or weeds away from the area before lighting a fire in your homemade incinerator. Clear a circle 10 feet from the incinerator on all sides, and clear the area all the way down to the bare soil to eliminate any flammable materials that could ignite when hot. Avoid burning debris on days that are windy or dry.

Attending the Incinerator

• Don’t leave your burn barrel unattended. Instead, burn small amounts of debris at a time and add new material gradually to limit the amount of heat generated and reduce hazards. Have a rake, shovel and water handy to put out the fire, and don’t allow the fire to smolder when you are finished burning debris.

Alternatives to Burning

• Other ways to limit the need to burn household waste include reducing waste by purchasing products in bulk with less packaging, reusing items through yard sales or donations of unwanted items, recycling metal, plastic and paper products and composting organic waste.