Question about outside sticks and rocks

[Vengeance]

What is the best way to make sure that sticks taken from the outside are free of insects? I know you can either bake them or soak them in bleach and water, but what is the most effective way?

How much of a water to bleach ratio fo you need?

If bakeing wouldn't the sticks catch on fire? If not what tempature does the oven have to be at in order to make sure tha all the insects are killed?

Should I take off all the bark first or is leving the bark on ok?

Thanks.

[HeRpZ03]

Not sure on the bleach to water ratio..but i think i read somewhere that it is 1:10 (1 part bleach to 10 parts water? not sure..but there should be someone on these forums who will kno the answer). As for baking, to avoid your branches catching fire always keep an eye on them and i bake mine @ 200 for about 10-20 mins and haven't had any problems. I take off all the bark, but thats just me, i'm not sure if taking it off or leaving it will make a difference.

[BrandonVeenstra]

I also bake them.. never had any problems with fires..wrap it in tinfoil? I am not sure. you shouldnt have any problems.. might as well keep an eye on it anyways

[C.m.pyrrhus]

When baking, you would want to soak the pieces a bit in water, distilled water preferably. I would shoot for a temp @ about 275° for at least an hour, which is needed to kill anything. I avoid bleach at all cost with wood, as it will not totally be removed. Boiling is not a bad idea either, shoot for an hour this way too.

I would only use bleach on non-porous items,such as some rocks, plastics, etc. Honestly, not a great idea with woods. I recommend to not use temps above 110° as well, as the bleach is no longer active above this temperature. Only if folks have ever autoclaved items, or had to work in a sterile environment, I believe folks would take a new appraoch to how they sterilize and clean their animal items. I personally only use bleach to clean cages, water bowls and the like. Rinsing anything used with bleach very well is also needed. Not many people will come into problems, but then again many people do as well. Bleach is seriously worse than what is on products previously.

[Vengeance]

Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to use the bakeing method on all the outside sticks, but slate or rocks, should I use the same method or stick with Bleach and water?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Freezer. Actually, spray them hot water, then freezer. Then bake in the sun. Oven? I ain't putting sticks and rocks from outside where I cook my food, LOL!

[Vengeance]

Lol, yea I wouldn't reguarly either, but I'm moving and I won't have this stove anymore, so I figure, why not bake some sticks since I won't have to eat out of it anymore.

[Invictus]

Bleach is fine to use, you just have to soak it in SALT water afterward to dilute the chlorine. I prefer this method for sterilizing anything, including rubbermaids.

[munchy]

Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
Freezer. Actually, spray them hot water, then freezer. Then bake in the sun. Oven? I ain't putting sticks and rocks from outside where I cook my food, LOL!

this works? ive never used anything from outside before and the bleach doesnt really seem like a safe idea. does this really work?

[munchy]

Originally posted by C.m.pyrrhus
When baking, you would want to soak the pieces a bit in water, distilled water preferably. I would shoot for a temp @ about 275° for at least an hour, which is needed to kill anything. I avoid bleach at all cost with wood, as it will not totally be removed. Boiling is not a bad idea either, shoot for an hour this way too.

I would only use bleach on non-porous items,such as some rocks, plastics, etc. Honestly, not a great idea with woods. I recommend to not use temps above 110° as well, as the bleach is no longer active above this temperature. Only if folks have ever autoclaved items, or had to work in a sterile environment, I believe folks would take a new appraoch to how they sterilize and clean their animal items. I personally only use bleach to clean cages, water bowls and the like. Rinsing anything used with bleach very well is also needed. Not many people will come into problems, but then again many people do as well. Bleach is seriously worse than what is on products previously.
would it be safe to use bleach, then bake the hell out of the wood at 275*?