The Original BioBricks - Pictures

Easy to store, stack and use. The Original BioBricks offers a clean, sustainable, 100% natural (wood) alternative for fireplaces, wood stoves, and fire pits.

No more splitting wood, sore backs, bugs or spiders for me.

The Original BioBrick Proves Good Things Do Come in Small Packages

This past week I had the pleasure to meet with the partners and visit the factory of The Original BioBrick company, a Connecticut based company. (http://www.biopellet.net/).
Currently selling in the Northeast, from New Jersey to Maine, this sustainable energy (product) company is growing leaps and bounds.

As always, my disclaimer is that I have no financial interest in this company or product, have received no incentive for this article, and have purchased my test "bricks" at retail price.

So what is a BioBrick? Partners Steven Lanata and Jason Blakeslee describe this all natural product as "the cordwood alternative". The BioBrick is 100% wood, manufactured from recycled sawdust acquired from such sources as mills, and hardwood flooring manufacturers. The BioBrick uses no glues or artificial binders, being formed into a brick by the molding process and natural fibers and oils from the wood itself.

But what makes this product so good to use?

First I would say the ease of use. Since starting to use BioBricks in my wood stove and fireplace, I have not had to split and pile any wood, which has been very good for my back. Packaged into a 38 lb wrap (recycled plastic), each wrap contains 20 bricks, it is easy to carry into the house, and easier to store, as one 4' X 4' X 3' pallet equals a cord of wood.

Ease of use and packaging leads to another benefit to the homeowner, cleanliness, not having the dirt, dust, bark, insects and spiders associated with my wood pile of the past is actually a pleasure. No longer do I have a trail of debris following me to my wood stove or fireplace.

Cleanliness is also evident from the small amount of ash that the BioBrick produces, and Partners Steven and Jason have shared with me that commercial users of the BioBrick (restaurants that use wood burning brick ovens) have also noticed less creosote from using this product. They also like the consistent burn the BioBrick offers, allowing them to use only the bricks needed to arrive at the temperature required for their ovens, taking the guess work out of the equation of using wood.

I have noticed the same consistency of heat within my wood stove, and have particularly have enjoyed the fact that I can load the wood stove when I go to bed and find enough hot coals available in the morning to easily restart my stove. Steve and Jason told me that this is due to the density and uniformity of the brick, important to maintaining that consistency of burn.

Besides wood stoves and fireplaces (I highly recommend) other uses for the Original BioBrick are camping (many State Parks no longer allow the gathering of wood on site), RVs (again ease of carrying, use, and cleanliness), and cooking (wood burning brick ovens).

Like any great product, copycat companies and products are springing up. These copycat products come in different sizes, grades and quality, so don't be fooled, look for the package that says The Original BioBricks, The Cordwo0d Alternative. It is printed right on the recycled plastic wrap along with instructions for use.

Because of this consistency, density, and manufacturing quality, The Original BioBricks are endorsed by wood stove manufacturers around the country.

I have always been careful not to bring politics into my articles. I have always maintained that sustainable living is not political left, right, republican or democrat issue, but an individual, family, community, state, national, and global issue to address. However, one sad note about this sustainable and natural product has been the lack of interest and support from the local and state political community.

Even though partners Steven Lanata and Jason Blakeslee have made a substantial investment in manufacturing and labor to bring us this recycled product (saving countless trees in doing so), there has been no excitement or interest by local and state politicians here in Connecticut.

Maybe its not high tech enough or even glamorous enough to peek the interest of the politician, I don't know. I do know is that in my opinion, it is the only product that a homeowner should use in their wood stoves and fireplaces, I know from this moment on, it will be the only one in mine.

Brett

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Today in The United States Of America we celebrate a National Holiday, Thanksgiving.

The origin of this day, was a harvest festival celebrated by our earliest settlers and the original inhabitants of the Cape Cod region (Northeast Massachusetts), whose growing and harvesting techniques assured the survival of the English newcomers.

Today it continues to be a day in which family and friends gather together for company, food, and drink.

It is also a day that offers each and every one of us the opportunity to reflect on those things that are most important to us, to give thanks, and to offer prayers for those no longer with us, and blessings to those that are still here.

I would like to give a special thought and prayer today to all the men and women in America's military service.

It is not the time to debate the right or wrong of our country's national and international policies.

It is the time to appreciate those men and women that risk their lives every day so that we at home can spend this day with family and friends.

It is the time to pray for the safe return for each and every man and woman in the service of our country.

It is the time to pray for those families that have experienced the ultimate sacrifice, the loss of their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, aunts, and uncles for our American freedoms.

As we feast, drink, and enjoy the company of our own families and friends, please take a moment to think about all those that may not have the blessings that we enjoy today.

I want to say thank you to all those men and women that live, are injured, and die, for my ability to sit safely in my home and enjoy those around me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, oh brave Americans of our Armed Forces.

I pray for your safe return, I pray for your families and friends, and pray that you may be in the arms of your loved ones again.

Brett

Welcome Aboard Glenn Beck

For over a year I have written about sustainable living and the need for simplifying ones life. I have purposely remained a-political, writing that sustainability is nether a political left or right, democratic or republican issue. I have also tried to remain out of the debate concerning global warming because of the divisive nature of that discussion.

However.

I am surprised and impressed that (Fox Corporation) pundit Glenn Beck has dedicated portions of his television show to talk about the need for Americans to simplify their lives and to begin the process of sustainability.

Now I have to say that to many Americans Glenn Beck represents the far right of republican thought. Mearly mentioning his name in many circles brings out the ugliest of opinions and comments.

However.

I want to thank Mr. Beck for his actions. I believe that someone of Mr. Becks stature talking about the importance of sustainability and offering opinions on how and why to do so, is very important to the "cause".

Mr. Beck appears to be "walking the talk". How so?

To me, when a person of Mr. Becks financial success speaks about going throughout his house to look for items that he no longer needs or wants with the desire to rid himself of those items, that speaks volumes to me. When Mr. Beck pleads with his viewers to eliminate their own personal debts and to think about simplifcation and sustainability in their daily lives, I am impressed.

As the holiday season and new year approaches what is the longterm interest for your family and home? Mr. Beck is challenging his viewers by providing simple steps they can use to begin a process, a process for personal change and personal empowerment.

For bringing this discussion to his viewers I have to say, Mr. Glenn Beck, I salute you.

Brett

What If It All Stopped Today?

Let's say a huge solar flare erupted from the sun, sending a massive wave of electro-magnetic energy hurling towards the earth.

Let's say it was such a massive amount of radiation that virtually every power grid, satellite, computer, cell phone, well lets say, everything that relies on an electric or electronic signal failed.

What if it all stopped today?

Do you think that that is impossible? If you do I challenge you to use whatever search engine that you use for the keyword solar flare.

I think that you will be quite surprised at the number of articles concerning the consequences of a massive solar flare.

Of course there are other catastrophies both natural and not, that could cause a disruption or failure of our technilogical society. But to maintain that a-political stand, lets keep it with the solar flare.

What would you do?

How long would you be able to feed your family with the food in your home today?

How much fresh water do you have available?

How would you heat your home in winter?

What services (national, state, local) would be available to you?

Will the skills you posses allow you to maintain the security and health of your family?

I could go on and on but I think you get the message. But what would you do if everything stopped tomorrow?

As we close this year, I am going to be talking about what each of us can do to answer each and every question above.

Each question will satisfy the most basic human needs for sustainability, food, water, shelter, heat/cooling, and personal safety.

Please feel free to offer any comments and/0r personal experiences that will benefit the discussions.

Brett