BioBricks for Biomass Fuel Alternative

Biobricks have come onto the scene as a biomass fuel alternative. Biobricks burn hotter and longer than normal cordwood. These biomass bricks have been used in Europe with great success.

Are you heating with fuel oil or cordwood? Save money on your heating costs by burning BioBricks. A BioBrick is made out of 100% pressed wood and is very eco-friendly. The pressed wood is made out of recycled sawdust that is extracted of excess moisture. With less moisture the brick is able to burn hotter. With the compression of the sawdust it does not have too much oxygen which slows the burning process down.

With high heating costs this winter the BioBricks are a great alternative. BioBricks are chemical free and bug free so storage is much easier. They can be stored indoors, which normal cords of wood cannot.

Also the burn of these bricks creates less smoke, hardly any creosol build up and recycles carbon in the atmosphere. The burning of cordwood always presents a fire in the chimney issue. Not so with the pressed bricks. Creosol is a toxic waste that is emitted from regular wood. To prevent this is not only good for your health but for the quality of air also.

Packed correctly BioBricks will burn up to 12 hours. These bricks burn very hot, so be careful not to disturb them while they are burning. You could easily get your woodstove too hot. With the high heat there is very little ash to clean up after burn. With no bugs and no bark, the mess made by normal cordwood is almost non-existent.

There seems to be problems with these biomass bricks however. Since these bricks burn so very hot, some woodstove brands cannot handle the heat emitted from these bricks. It is therefore not recommended to fill the woodstove filled with the bricks as stated. Only use a few bricks packed close together to prevent over heating of your woodstove.

Too, with the high heat, if your chimney is already corroded with creosol from burning wood, then a chimney clean is in order before burning BioBricks. You could also make a bed of coals first with the Biobricks and then burn regular wood if you want. This will aid in burning your regular cordwood hotter.

Another issue with the BioBricks at the moment is their availability. Since they are fairly new to the American market there are not enough distributors yet. Hopefully by next winter they will be easier to get. Even though some eco-friendly people will forgo cost of shipping for the clean environment, many will not. BioBrick fuel may have to wait until it can be shipped from your local woodstove dealer.