I first started to delve into this recycled paper briquette madness on a whim- rolling some cardboard and paper I had in the recycle bin into a log that fit into my charcoal grill. This was quite effective but smokey because I didn’t cut my cardboard and paper down to a precise size and I used masking tape to hold it in place. Masking tape stinks. I also left labels on the cardboard. These smelled terrible. I have since learned to remove the labels and not to use tape. Old methods of making these paper logs used a wire twist.
I am planning to follow this guy’s method– soak the cardboard overnight, and use the natural glues in the paper to hold the log in place. I will use a form in the middle to hold the center open so that it fits well into my charcoal grill.
I do wonder if simply compressing the cardboard would work as well as soaking.
Of course I’ll try both methods.