Breeo Maiden Voyage (Non Valk)

[carolinarider09]

Ok, tonight we started the Breeo 19" smokeless fire pit for the first time.  I built the fire as referenced/guided by the YouTube video linked below (first link).

We used cardboard instead of newspaper.  As part of building the house and clearing the land, we had someone take down some pines and cut them up into 1" x 6" 16' boards.  That resulted in some scrap pieces that were used to space the boards for storage and drying.  They are about 1/2 " x 1/2" and 4 feet long.  I cut them into 10 inch pieces to use as kindling. They worked perfectly. 

I bought some wood from tractor supply to use for the main fire.  Those logs burned well but one was way to big (well maybe a little over 4" square) and did not burn well.  With the exception of that "big" log, the fire pit performed as expected.  And yes the area under the pit was hot, very hot. 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbLhc-Avof0

https://rumble.com/vxzj09-breeo-madien-voyage-video-1.html

https://rumble.com/vxzj5v-breeo-smokeless-fire-pit-video-two.html

[cookiedough]

looks nice, just be careful to attending to the fire,   wood deck and burning wood on top might be a recipe for disaster? 

[carolinarider09]

You are correct.  We have purchased a "stand" will have to see how it works. 

Don't remember for sure but I think wood, sort of like paper, is combustible at 451 degrees F.

It was hot under the stove and we added a second layer of bricks.  There is no real easy way to monitor the temp.  The stand, should help but will not know until we get it and make a comparison. 

So, yes, the location is important. 

[Serk]

Heh, typical shipping company shennanigans...

FedEx said my order was coming in 3 pieces, the firepit itself, the lid and the scoop.

I got an update that the firepit was delayed and wouldn't be getting here until today, but the lid and scoop would be delivered Thursday.

The Firepit was delivered and is sitting on my back patio.

The lid and scoop are not yet here.

Inaugural burn set for tonight, I'll report back how it goes.

Now that it's back in stock very tempted to order the spark screen and the grill rack, but want to do my first burn before throwing more money that way.....

[luftkoph]

Half the reason for a fire is the smoke, how else are you going to keep the mosquitoes, black flies and no seeums away.

[carolinarider09]

Serk,

I was following the "shipping" of my four items.  The website said that one items (of four) was shipped and would arrive on March 18th (I think).  I keep checking to see if any other items had been shipped but....   

Then the FedEx tracking thing said it was delayed and would not get here unit the following Monday. 

Still no word on the other three items.   Then last Saturday, a day after the one item was suppose to arrive all four items were delivered to a house a few blocks up the road toward town.  Luckily the gentlemen packed them all up and delivered them to my place. 

Second time in the last several months this has happened.  Other time was UPS. 

[Jess from VA]

Shipping problems suck.

For instance, when I went overseas remote to Turkey in USAF, besides my two suitcases, I was allowed 200lbs of hold baggage in a big box, that would be sent to me right away, so everything I needed went in that box.  My household goods went in wood crates in a slow moving sea freighter.

My hold baggage went missing.  I had to buy a lot of uniforms and things I needed right away.  Some months later, my hold baggage box miraculously appeared.  It looked like it had been in an Indiana Jones warehouse for 20 years.  It had been sent to Osan Korea, instead of Ankara Turkey.

Other than the fact they are both Bumfok Egypt for an American shipper, how in the heck did that happen?  No one could ever tell me.    

[Serk]

Now FedEx is saying my extra bits might be here sometime late next week... we'll see...

But regardless, had the firepit...

Had the first burn with it tonight.

First 30-45 minutes I was PISSED. It was smoking just as bad as any other firepit...

The triplets were pissing me off... "Daaaaaaad! I thought you said it would be *Cough Cough* SMOKE LESS!*

But.... Once the fire REALLY got going, it worked entirely as advertised.

The best part I can say, the spousal unit usually won't partake in firepit and chill nights because of the smoke.

She came out, and joined us. And even knowing the $$$ involved, said she approves of the new firepit.

Think I'll order the grill plate now....



Once we were done cooking over it (Hot dogs of course) I put some of the colored packs I got off Amazon in it. My mom LOVED 'em.



One possible negative I was aware of going in - Usually on a Firepit and Chill night I'll go through one Home Depot or Gas Station bundle of firewood. Went through two easily tonight. But that's a small price to pay IMHO...

[carolinarider09]

My experience exactly Serk.  It needs the heat to burn the smoke.  But darn its cool to have it smokeless and warm.   

And I am working in acquiring some stocks of wood.  Only issue I have is splitting the large logs you get in the pack which don't burn as well.

[carolinarider09]

Been trying to figure out the best way to get fuel for this stove. 

You can buy firewood but its too big to burn as required in the stove.

You can buy some bundles from places like Tractor Supply that will allow you to use 80% to 90% un-modified but at least one or two pieces will need splitting.

Been a long time since I was a Boy Scout out splitting firewood.

So, I saw this thing and I think it might work. 

Just asking for any comments or recommendations. 

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200647343_200647343?cm_lm=5793154&tp=i-1NGB-ES-5vR-2eChXL-1c-OJ3y-1c-2eBKGc-l7JuKxvBnt-1OYJRe&om_rid=2426346399&om_mid=22781&STATE=SC&HOT_MEM_CODE=&MARKETCODE=&utm_campaign=eDeals&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=032922_KindlingCracker&cid=22781&mid=2426346399

[carolinarider09]

Just an update, the Amistad Grill Co. stand came in today.  Simple to assemble, looks ok, will have to wait and see

[Serk]

Ooooooh! Might hafta get me one of them! Are the leg lengths adjustable?

[carolinarider09]

Well, maybe a little.  The legs are held in place with a thumb bolt, washer (1) and nut.

Each leg has a slot where the bolt goes.  So, with in the range of the thing sitting on the base, there is a very small range of adjustments.  I will be getting another washer (well maybe a lock washer).   

It seems sturdy.  Took me from the time I ordered the Breeo until today to get it delivered so.....   

[Serk]

Thanks, I need to lift one side up about the height of one or two beer bottle caps, so.....

Just ordered the X-24 sized stainless steel stand.....

[suthrncop]

I have been eyeing the Breeo’s for a while just been putting off getting one , now may be the time !

[signart]

Don't know if one is in your proximity, but a pallet building facility is an excellent source for wood chunks.
One about 3 mi. past my place will load a pickup for $15 of cut-offs, clean, no bark.

[carolinarider09]

Excellent information.  I have been eyeing several places that appear to have wood.  Did not consider a pallet building place. 

[carolinarider09]

First time use of the Amistad Grill Stand tonight.  Worked as advertised.  In fact, the outer edges of the stand (the webbed area) did not get warm.

Under the stand, the area was warm but no where near what it was before which was to hot to touch.

I also worked the wood a little more, making smaller pieces which, by definition, will burn faster given you a warmer stove/fire but no smoke.   

I sharpened by axe and use a recently cut pine stump as my "cutting" stand. 

[Serk]

Nice! first big run of ours tonight, it was windy before the sun went down so had the spark shield up:



After the winds calmed down pulled the spark shield down, put the grill on, and put some chicken kababs on, they were awesome!



And after everyone ate their fill, the grill came off, and many lies were told, much Scotch consumed over Caveman TV......



Just sent the last guest home, and about to go to horizontal rest position myselfl. Put the spark shield back on and will let it burn itself out.....

[carolinarider09]

Sounds like fun.  I need to get some "real" chairs to use with ours. 

We did (well my wife made me  ) do some S'mores first time for me that I can remember in a long, long time.

[msb]

I'm looking to get one of those for our backyard fires to replace our old steel one...no matter which side I sit on, the smoke always comes over my way. Be nice when we have the neighbors over with a couple of them having to sit by me , and not have them get smoked out too...lol.


Re firewood: carolinarider09 and Serk...you don't have trees down there in your necks of the woods?  I've only been to DFW region of TX, and I've skirted all around SC but never stepped inside, so it's sorta a serious question. I guess I might just be used to bucking up fallen trees up here on my little mountain, or wherever we camp (mostly more remote forestry sites). Never a shortage of free wood. Propane firepits just don't do the trick at home or when camping...only when used in the middle of the motel parking lots during our Valhalla gatherings (there...now this post is Valk related )

[Jess from VA]

My new (very nice) next door neighbors built one of those cheaper fire pits in their backyard, with a steel open bottom ring dug into the ground surrounded by curved paver blocks.

They had a little housewarming party yesterday and had a fire going, but when they burned all the boxes and packaging from gifts, and it became a giant bonfire with big floating burning ashes blowing over my 7 foot fence and bike shed I got a bit concerned.  Every party seems to have (at least) one pyromaniac.

Then a cold rain blew in and that was that. 

[carolinarider09]

Firewood. 

Most of the trees I "thin" out on my property are not big.  But, since the fire pit likes smaller pieces of wood, that would work.

Issue is, and always has been, you need to have the wood cured to burn clean.  That means you have to stack it.  That means you have to have it sort of covered (not a real requirement but....).   

Bigger logs require splitting to make them the right size for my fire pit.   So that requires a sharp axe and a way to split.   I can split some of the smaller pieces I purchased (because they are too big to burn clean in my smaller fire pit) without much hassle. 

And yes, I could fell a medium sized oak in the woods, collect the wood, cut into short pieces with my chainsaw, then split and let cure.   

Or I can go out an buy a bundle for $6 that will last for the time we use it. 

The only other issue (not really but) is the small kindling for start up.  I think I mentioned before that I have some small narrow pieces that we got when we had some pines felled for building the house and needed some "stacking" sticks.  But, those are limited.  I will be cutting up some of the boards I have (not being used) and making some more sticks. 

[msb]

Firewood. 

Most of the trees I "thin" out on my property are not big.  But, since the fire pit likes smaller pieces of wood, that would work.

Issue is, and always has been, you need to have the wood cured to burn clean.  That means you have to stack it.  That means you have to have it sort of covered (not a real requirement but....).   

Bigger logs require splitting to make them the right size for my fire pit.   So that requires a sharp axe and a way to split.   I can split some of the smaller pieces I purchased (because they are too big to burn clean in my smaller fire pit) without much hassle. 

And yes, I could fell a medium sized oak in the woods, collect the wood, cut into short pieces with my chainsaw, then split and let cure.   

Or I can go out an buy a bundle for $6 that will last for the time we use it. 

The only other issue (not really but) is the small kindling for start up.  I think I mentioned before that I have some small narrow pieces that we got when we had some pines felled for building the house and needed some "stacking" sticks.  But, those are limited.  I will be cutting up some of the boards I have (not being used) and making some more sticks. 

Ya, I hear you. For some reason, I still enjoy bucking up and splitting wood...perhaps because I don't have to go far to find something. At home I really only have to do one or even part of a larger tree a year to keep enough for my use so I'm always burning "last year's" wood. Mostly Fir , the odd Birch...there's always some for the taking.
Getting a Breeo up here looks to be kinda expensive though, with exchange & shipping. Looking at alternates as well.

[Jess from VA]

The only other issue (not really but) is the small kindling for start up.

Something I did with my Federal Airtight wood stove (before I gave it away):

You buy a box of those chemical logs, then just cut off an inch or two of one for fire starters.

This won't get a big log burning, but it works very well for small fires with cured wood.

Taking small chunks, a box of these will last quite a while.

Tonight's the night?  

[carolinarider09]

I'll get a picture of the stuff I am talking about (the kindling sticks).   It was pretty amazing watching the guy cut the logs into wood planks on his towed here machine.  Wish I had taken some videos.   

But the leftovers, not that they are about 10 years old, burn very well. 

[old2soon]

     Got a tie yard-railroad ties-close? When I lived in East Texas Garrison Tx. there was a tie yard right in town there. Now living in SoMo there are pallet yards near everywhere. Or a company looking to get rid of their used up wood pallets. Course with used pallets gonna have a nail situation. RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

Forgot about the railroad ties.  But have not seen them in a few years.

There was a place down the road that had pallets stacked up outside but in the fall of 2021.  They were free.  And yes, the nails could be an issue. 

[Jess from VA]

Aren't RR ties soaked in or injected with creosote?

The web says ....of the wooden ties purchased, 98% are either creosote or creosote-borate treated.

And.... If you have old railroad ties on your property that you want to get rid of, you should never burn them.  Burning can release toxins in the air, which can be dangerous to respiratory health.  You should also avoid inhaling sawdust from creosote treated wood.    (like if you are cutting them up for burn size pieces)

[carolinarider09]

Aren't RR ties soaked in or injected with creosote?

The web says ....of the wooden ties purchased, 98% are either creosote or creosote-borate treated.

And.... If you have old railroad ties on your property that you want to get rid of, you should never burn them.  Burning can release toxins in the air, which can be dangerous to respiratory health.  You should also avoid inhaling sawdust from creosote treated wood.    (like if you are cutting them up for burn size pieces)

I had forgotten about that.  Thanks Jess.