Questions and answers

How to use the Stump Chimney™ in the best way.

Do I have to drill into the stump?

If you drill holes diagonally down into the stump, it will burn from the inside as well. The holes act as chimneys with a good draught, which makes the stump burn much better. Without the holes, the fire has to eat its way in and out. If there are holes, this is not needed. This is important if the stump is large or if it is damp

Can I cut the stump with a chainsaw instead of drilling?

You get a better effect by drilling holes compared to sawing. If you do choose to saw into it, cut it with a chainsaw in the shape of one or more X’s, seen from above. With many cuts, the stump will burn faster.

Do I have to fold up the folding plates when I add more briquettes?

Yes, it is important to do so. If the folding plates are not unfolded, the briquettes will end up on top of the folding plates. Then they won’t do any good and the folding plate can be ruined if the plate is heated from above and below at the same time.

How long does it take to burn down a stump?

From the moment you start, you need about 1 – 2 hours of work depending on the stump. The rest is taken care of by the Stump Chimney and after about 24 hours the stump is gone.

Why should I dig a trench around the stump?

When the stump burns up, it will burn up about as far down as the bottom of the Stump Chimney. The purpose of the trench is to bring the top of the stump below ground level. The trench also acts as a barrier to prevent the fire from spreading.

Do I need to seal between the ground and the bottom edge of the Stump Chimney™?

Yes, you need to have a seal. Use the soil you removed when you dug the trench. The air holes at the bottom of the Stump Chimney™ are adjusted so that the briquettes burn at the right pace. If more air gets in, the briquettes will burn too quickly, and you may need to add more briquettes than otherwise necessary.

How big a stump can I burn with the Stump Chimney™?

The Stump Chimney™ is capable of burning stumps that are about 40 cm in diameter at one time. With two Stump Chimneys, the stump can be up to 60 cm in diameter. For large or damp stumps, drilling holes or sawing cuts into it with a chainsaw is much faster and requires less briquettes to burn down the stump.

Is it possible to connect 2 chimneys into a larger one?

Yes, you can do that. If you use two Stump Chimneys, you can burn stumps that are about 60 cm in diameter. Depending on how dry the stump is and how well it burns, it may need to be burnt for one round first and then you may have to make the Stump Chimney™ smaller and fire it up for another round. Drill holes diagonally into the stump and the stump will burn much better or if you have a chainsaw, you can cut deep cuts in the stump and this may be enough to burn it in one try. Holes are a bit better than notches.

I have added 2 rounds of briquettes and there is still a lot left of the stump?

That can actually happen. The stump does not burn up with an open flame, but smoulders. Just let it do its job and most of the stump will be gone the next day. If the stump has been very damp, you may need to add more briquettes. Please see more under Reference Stumps. There are pictures and videos that show what is happening in real time.

Fire safety when using the Stump Chimney™

When someone uses Stump Chimney™, the same rules and precautions apply as for any other fire. Before starting a fire, remove any objects that could start a fire in its vicinity. Also check the soil conditions, a peat-rich soil needs to be damp. You should always have fire extinguishers, buckets of water or a water hose nearby in case of fire. Then it’s important to always extinguish it with plenty of water. There may be embers left in the ground that cannot be seen or felt by hand.

Can I see some videos showing how to do it?

See some examples of how stumps have been burned under reference stumps

How to deal with shallow roots?

When it comes to shallow roots, they can be handled in slightly different ways and depending on the appearance of the stump. Since the Stump Chimney consists of a number of sides that hook into each other, the chimney can be shaped according to the appearance of the stump and, in the case of a shallow root, it can be covered by the chimney. If the roots are underground, one side of the chimney can be raised up where the roots are located and the sides next to it go down to the ground. If this does not work, you have to use an axe. Under Reference stumps you will find a number of examples of how stumps with different appearances have been removed. Be sure to seal around the bottom of the Stump Chimney so that not too much air gets in. Then the briquettes will burn up too quickly.

Is it completely safe?

The same rules apply as for all other fires. When you are burning a stump, the sides of the chimney are not very hot, but it gets very hot above the chimney opening, so there should be nothing above it. Before starting a fire, remove any objects that could start a fire in its vicinity. Also check the soil conditions, if the soil is peat-rich, then it needs to be damp. You should always have fire extinguishers, buckets of water or a water hose nearby in case of fire. Then it’s important to always extinguish the fire with plenty of water. There may be embers left in the ground that cannot be seen or felt by hand.

What time of the year is it best to use it?

The Stump Chimney can be used when it is not too cold. A frozen stump is very difficult to burn. The same applies to a rotten stump that is very damp after rain. Then more briquettes are used. Otherwise, it depends more on how dry it is and if a fire ban has been enforced, it cannot be used. So relatively dry and not too cold.

What is a root fire?

A root fire happens when roots in the ground can start to burn. When you burn down a stump with the Stump Chimney™, it will happen very slowly. When the stump has burnt down after a maximum of24 hours, the fire must be extinguished with plenty of water. Then the embers in the roots or in the peat will be extinguished.

Can you use an oil drum instead?

Using an oil drum works well. This is the principle used to create the Stump Chimney, but it has been refined in a number of stages. When using an oil drum, you need to saw off the bottom of the drum and also drill in a number of air holes. The advantage of the Stump Chimney is that it can be adapted to the shape of the stump and then the briquettes can be placed much closer to the stump and the heat is concentrated on the stump and not so many briquettes are used. The folding plates inside the Stump Chimney also direct preheated air towards the stump to improve combustion. Then, the air holes at the bottom of the Stump Chimney sides are adjusted so that the briquettes burn as efficiently as possible. If the holes are too large, the briquettes burn too quickly and if the holes are too small, the briquettes do not burn effectively and not enough heat is generated to cause the stump to burn.

What do roots look like on different trees?

There are three different root system types. Heart root systems, stake root systems and deep root systems. It’s difficult to know what type of roots your stump has. It depends on the species of tree, but also on where the tree has grown. It depends on whether the location is shady or very sunny. It depends on the nature of the soil. It depends on the presence of water. It depends on whether the tree stands alone or together with others. The root system also changes over the years. A young tree usually has a stake root system to stand firmly in the ground. But as the tree gets older, the other roots develop more.

Can you use Eco plug instead?

Eco plug is for killing the stump. It does not help in removing the stump.

What is a ground fire?

Ground fires happen when you start a fire and there is a lot of peat in the soil that starts to burn. When the stump has burned up, it should always be extinguished with plenty of water. Then the embers in the peat will also be extinguished.

What use are the folding plates inside the chimney?

There are folding plates inside the Stump Chimney that interact with the air holes at the bottom of its sides. When the Stump Chimney™ is lit, the folding plates are in an upright position and a lot of draft is created in the Stump Chimney™ , so it gets hot. As the briquettes burn, the folding plates are folded in towards the stump, bringing the air, heated by the briquettes, towards the stump. Without the folding plates, much of the hot air would have just risen straight up and done no good.

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