On Sun, 03 Dec 2006 02:33:55 -0600, wrote:

I got my new barn all closed in just before our heavy freeze took
over. But I still need to put 3 posts in the ground INSIDE the barn.

What is a "heavy freeze"? How cold has it been and for how long? How
cold was it in the barn?

Pending an answer, I agree with Hary and Chris. If not a pick, a GM
tire iron/jack handle, the ones with a lug wrench on one end and a
point on the other. Or a big screwdriver and a hammer. Once you get
part way in it will be easier.

The soil in there is fairly dry on the top so I am hoping its not
frozen too solid or deep yet. But I did find the shovel was hard to
penetrate it yesterday. It was really too cold to proceed with the
job anyhow.

Anyhow, I know the public utilities have a means to build a coal fire
on the top of the ground when they need to dig up something in the
street. I dont have access to coal, nor would I want to burn it

You don't? I'm sure there is someone near who sells coal and will
sell you as small or large a quantity as you want. It's not as dirty
as it looks btw. In fact the pieces I have, from loose coal that fell
off a truck in Pennsylvania coal area, isn't dirty in the slightest.
It's solid black, but nothing comes off when I touch it.

indoors because of the odor. But I can get regular charcoal. My

I don't think the odor is that strong. I can't think of the odor of
burning coal. But isn't your barn easy to air out?

These last two paragrpahs of mine are not meant to imply that you
actually have to have a fire.


The boiling or hot water idea sounds good, unless you get a phone
call, or people drop by, or you get tired, and the water cools off and
turns into ice. If it is that cold, then you'll be worse off. If it
is not that cold, I don't think you need hot water. Any water will
do.

question is this: What is the best method to burn the charcoal to melt
the ground? Do i just burn it right on top of the soil, or should I
put some sort of metal container around it, or what? I mean in order
to deflect the heat downward, not as a safety measure. I am not

It helps the fire burn. They sell such things for starting charcoal
fires in a grill. In fact the instructions on the bag, last I looked,
said to pile the charcoal up until it is burning all over, and then
spread it out. The cylinder enables one to do an even better job of
piling it up. Not sure how big it should be , but I think one could
make one from a large coffee can, as coffee is still sold in. Or a
piece of heating duct, or one of the decorative cannisters sold for
sugar, flour, and a couple other things. A thrift store might have an
old set, or better yet, just the size one wants. I think one has to
put holes in the size.

worried about causing a fire, when the nearest flammable (wall) is at
least 9 feet away, and I am not planning to make a huge fire, just the
amound needed to grill some burgers on the grill.

One other thing, would it be best to start the fire right on the
ground, or to start it in a grill first????

Yes, I know3 about ventillation to prevent CO2 poisoning. I'll leave
a door or window ajar, plus the barn has plenty of small leaks by each
rib in the steel along the roof edge. I will gradually plug those
with foam after the stalls are done.

PS. I recall the city used to place a half of a steel barrel drum over
the coal. I wonder if that helps thaw the ground, or is only to
prevent sparks from flying. I know regular coal tends to spark more
than charcoal.

Mark