Hi Folks,
I tried burlap today. I've had "organic fair trade" bags for a while now. I got them and coffee bean chaff that I use as mulch from a local roaster.
It took more burlap than I expected to fill my smoker, rolled like a cigar. I originally tied it with baler twine, but realized that must be treated, so I ripped a swatch and threads of burlap to tie the roll.
It lit very well. I held the wad outside of the can and lit it there. It lit fast, one match. I stuffed it in, puffed, puffed, tamped it down and puffed some more on the way to the hives. Nice thick cool smoke, not as aromatic as I'd have liked, but ok.
I puff around the hive, set up my wagon, puff another time or two, and set it down where the smoke wafts toward the hive. Just four hives this year. I had to see the queens today.
It actually lasted a lot longer than I expected more than three hours and I stopped watching. Nothing but a soft, fluffy wad of burlap ash left.
It took longer to cut, rip, wrap, cut more, wrap more, tie and light than with my shavings. Still, it was good.
Sal