I live in the country... so I can burn in a barrel.

I often burn old documents, old files, large quantities of paper.

It takes a long time. Anyone have any experience with commercial burn barrels?

Do they burn faster than just an old barrel?

Is it worth it?

God Bless, Dale

Either cut a bunch of air holes in the bottom at the side, or cut out the bottom completely,
and set it up on a few fire bricks. This will make it burn like a free draft kiln, I have done this for years, and i live in a city neighborhood.
You will have to watch for the flying embers, as the draft gets really going, especially burning paper or leaves.
Get a scrap pc of expanded metal to throw over the top. You will be surprised how fast this burns material up.

I found a guy that cut up an old propane tank (a 250 gallon, I think). I use that and top it with some 1/4 inch hole heavy wire cloth to keep embers and such in the barrel. Works good.

I had it on bricks for a while, for better air flow, but I got too much air flow, which made it hard to hold down the embers escaping. Took the bricks out.

The big “smokeless” barrels are very expensive.

I just shoot holes in the lower part of steel barrels.