I realize that I am reviving an old thread here but I wanted to comment that I picked up a package of the GREN's at Menard's. It was an impulse buy because I was curious how they would do and the normal $5 package was on sale for 3.98 so that's 20% off. Anyway I've burned 3 so far and they seem to burn well and may be great to mix in with marginal wood if you have to. I am keeping the rest of the package dry and indoors with the idea that I could use them in an emergency or if I have damp wood *from rain and snow not unseasoned* Just my two cents if anyone else is looking at these.
Bio/Envi blocks to the rescue
- Thread starter Rich L
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MDFisherman
Burning Hunk
There's a truss plant by me that has 30yard dumpster FULL of scrap pieces of 2x4's < 2' long... All you want for free!! I was thinking of getting some bio bricks but am going with the scrap lumber to get the fire hot and a nice bed of coals. They make awesome kindling too
My envi blocks got wiped out in the hurricane...When the water hit them they swelled up and blew out the garage door...and lifted up my staircase.
Wow,now that is something.How many did you have that would blow out a garage door and lift up a staircase?
dyerkutn
Feeling the Heat
Rich L--Have you ever heard of Hot Bricks from Waterbury CT.--I just saw some at whole foods. They are 8 bricks for $4.99 and say they have no wax or additives-thought you might know since you are from Eastern MA. I have to go a lot further away to get BioBricks
I never heard of these nor have I seen them.I go to Whole Foods and haven't notice.I'm always looking for a better brick so I'll try some when I see them.Thanks for the heads up.Where are you located?There's a place in Wilmington that has bio bricks for $279.00 per ton.if this is in your area.However if the hot bricks work that may be a good way to go if they come by the pallet which I'm sure they do.
dyerkutn
Feeling the Heat
Wilmington is not too far from me--the Whole Foods is in Woburn which is closer and on my travel routes. They were only selling them by the 8 pack outside the store--I did not check on the weight as I had not considered price per pound relative to wood. Also right now I have plenty of dry wood but I am investigating in case I need to use less dry wood or just to supplement so I was not sure about a pallet yet.
The place in Wilmington is called M&M Chimney sweeps on 312 Main St. Ph-978-657-0448.I'll swing by the Woburn Whole Foods and pick up two bundles.That should be enough to tell how they do.I also like to stuff a brick in between splits that have space too small for a split but big enough for a brick.
dyerkutn
Feeling the Heat
Yes--I saw that on their website.
I would love to know what you think since I have no experience with these kinds of bricks.
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Well I picked up three packs.I'll give them a go tomorrow night and get back to you with an update.They somewhat remind me of the bio-bricks.
Jdog
Member
i went out and bought a crap ton of the eco blocks from reading posts on here one burnt really good the last two i have burnt have had no flame really just set and smolder dont really know why but not looking good. Had them for maybe an emergency but dont really think they will do the job they say
My father burns bricks exclusively since his ankles are shot and can't manage wrestling cords of wood. He gets 3 pallets of Envi-blocks from South Shore Pellets in Hanover, MA delivered right into the attached garage. It was in the upper $200's per ton delivered. I think there is pricing on their website.
He puts about a pallet worth of packages in the house. Some in closets, some underneath the bed, some underneath the couch, etc.
The Envi-8's are some of the best he's burnt. The BioBricks were good but kind of crumbly and the year before that he burn the ones from Tractor supply. Weren't that bad.
He puts about a pallet worth of packages in the house. Some in closets, some underneath the bed, some underneath the couch, etc.
The Envi-8's are some of the best he's burnt. The BioBricks were good but kind of crumbly and the year before that he burn the ones from Tractor supply. Weren't that bad.
Jdog
Member
Thats where i got mine from Tractor supply going to give them another shot this eve see what i can get from them mabe with a few logs this time and not one by its self
I started using BioBricks exclusively last year. They burn great, they have long burn times and they are very clean.
Add to that the chimney is always clean. Great product.
Add to that the chimney is always clean. Great product.
Me thinks the envi-8'sare a bit betterhan the bio bricks.Maybe because they are bigger.
I'm pretty sure the Envi-8's are the same size as the bio bricks. The "Envi-Blocks" are the big ones. But my opinion of the superiority of the Envi-8's over the Bio Bricks may be premature. My old man ordered his bricks late last year and all that was available was "loose pallets" of Bio bricks. No bundled 6-packs or 8-packs or whatever, just a pallet of compressed bricks that was shrink wrapped.
I have a feeling they might have been rejects or something. The sizing was a little inconsistent and they seemed a bit crumblier compared to what we were expecting. The BioBricks and Envi bricks seem to have a great reputation, so we were a bit underwhelmed with the loose Bio Bricks. Maybe we were duped?
I have a feeling they might have been rejects or something. The sizing was a little inconsistent and they seemed a bit crumblier compared to what we were expecting. The BioBricks and Envi bricks seem to have a great reputation, so we were a bit underwhelmed with the loose Bio Bricks. Maybe we were duped?
mass_burner
Minister of Fire
I again tried the eco-blocks. Had a good layer of hot coals rakes forward and put one just behind. They're fine for the first hour or so, then they seem to lose heat. You need to turn up the air to get them to heat up. I think they are just to damn big. I bought 3 packs on sale, so I'll just test these out and move on.
Saddle Mander
Member
That's me. This is our first year with a stove. Next year will be our first year will seasoned wood.
I just bought a new circular saw and have been collecting and cutting up pallets.
Use a sawzall. Blades are cheaper and it's not as scary when you hit a nail, because you will. I don't know how they fit so many nails in pallets.
Yo I find that the Hot Bricks burn longer than the Bio Bricks.I'll be ordering a pallet of the Hot Bricks instead of the Bio-Bricks.Thanks for the info.
dyerkutn
Feeling the Heat
Interesting--are they going to deliver and how much is it. I might think about it for the future
So I was in a hurry and went up to Wilmington and bought 1/2 pallet. I have been trying them out. They seem OK but not as fabulous as some people have said. Seem to burn about the same time and heat as my wood splits. Also, it seems to take a bit to get them going. Maybe I need to do something. Of course I have only been putting a couple in at a time along with a couple of medium splits. But it is a good supplement to my currently low supply of dry wood.
dyerkutn
Feeling the Heat
answering my own post--maybe they are not any better because right now I am using kiln dried hard wood which lights very fast and burns for a long time.
The bio bricks are good though you need to put in more than two if your going to use them by themselves.They do ok filling in the spaces between splits.The hot brick folks are figuring out how to get a pellet to me.They said a pallet will cost $280.00 and didn't mention shipping.I sent an email asking for the total cost and I'm waiting for a reply.It doesn't seem they have a local pallet seller in our area.I told them buying by the pack gets old quickly which they agreed and were disappointed by that fact. At least you have some supplement fuel to keep you going.I'll be in touch.I use Super Cedars to get my bricks going with no problem.
I have tried them all. Here in CT they seem to be available all over. I think a few are actually made here as well.
So far the best ones have been the Redstones from Tractor Supply. They were on sale the other week for 2.99. It says they are made from hardwood floor scraps. They need to burned in a hot stove with a nice coal bed to get them going. These things put out some insane heat for the overnight burns. I load 2 7lb blocks and the stove cranks all night. Cost about $2 and way cheaper than oil.
The wood brick fuel by US recycled wood products available at Rings End Lumber are nice as well. Come in 2 lb blocks and throw out some serious heat.
Wish these products would come down in price. They are expensive but way cheaper than feeding a 1.20 gph oil nozzle..
So far the best ones have been the Redstones from Tractor Supply. They were on sale the other week for 2.99. It says they are made from hardwood floor scraps. They need to burned in a hot stove with a nice coal bed to get them going. These things put out some insane heat for the overnight burns. I load 2 7lb blocks and the stove cranks all night. Cost about $2 and way cheaper than oil.
The wood brick fuel by US recycled wood products available at Rings End Lumber are nice as well. Come in 2 lb blocks and throw out some serious heat.
Wish these products would come down in price. They are expensive but way cheaper than feeding a 1.20 gph oil nozzle..
Hot Bricks has a distributor in Brockton,Ma.The pallet plus shipping will cost $345.00.I think I'll pick mine up and save some on the shipping.The phone number is 1-800-ice-cold.
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