Obviously, the wood will burn, but it should be used only in an open outside area where smoke and explosive heat are of less concern. We have alot of brush oak trees that I would like to cut and use the trunk for firewood. We’ll be sure to be careful about how we use the fireplace we get. Wet wood causes smoking and odor problems and can increase the build-up of dangerous creosote in your chimney. Not only does it take forever to light, but your fire will also never generate the heat that you want it to. The best kind of wood to burn is one of the hard woods, such as oak, hard maple and birch because they release more heat and … It’s best not to burn green wood in your fireplace if you can avoid it. We had a lot of scrap lumber left over from our cabin build that we burned in our wood stove. The layers of sheet material is glued together. All Rights Reserved. I fell very ill over the next few days, they found an infection in the lower right lung. I know it’s tempting to treat your fireplace like an incinerator, but don’t. It doesn’t burn well, but rather burns with a black sooty flame. The paint is virtually gone from all but cracks and deep creases. Many thanks for the info. Last year, we wrote a simple guide to gas versus electric fireplaces, and while we still maintain that either choice would be a terrific addition to your home, we understand that many people who live in older houses or buildings may already have a built-in, wood-burning fireplace. We’ll be sure to find out what kind of wood should be burned in the fireplace we get. I was told today by a wood stove dealer that burning off cuts of lumber such as dry 2×4 fur is bad for my wood stove and can burn so hot that it may cause chimney fire. Is this okay to burn in the fireplace after seasoned? Not as good as seasoned split wood, but burned ok. IS it OK to burn wood from very tall acacia trees? What about cardboard? That is much better than burning it. Thank you for mentioning how burning green wood in your fireplace will generate an excessive amount of creosote. 7. Is it okay to BBQ with the wood from a oak tree that a neighbor killed with a strong herbicide? When I came to burn it, the leaves were still very green, it was a very difficult bonfire, and I was caught up in the smoke a lot, with the wind being very turbulent I found myself consuming a lot of thick smoke. If you find the flames are still getting smaller as a result of this, simply (but carefully!) Dry wood is more of a concern than hard versus soft wood when choosing what to burn. Burning something other than what is actually meant to be burned in the fireplace can be extremely dangerous for more reasons that one. It is easy to light and burns clean. You probably have an excess of styrofoam lying around your house. In order to combat this, make sure to place only a small amount of cedar wood on your fireplace so that the fire is manageable. Seasoned wood burns cleaner and more efficiently. Indeed, it is true that a pine fire burns very hot and so it might heat a home quicker. There’s a lot to know before you set to work building that perfect indoor fire, from safely laying the logs to hearth preparation to what kind of wood to use indoors (because your indoor fireplace is not your backyard firepit). We have a horse farm with 20 year old oak fence boards that were originally painted with black fence paint (yes, water-based paint — not creosote). This will happen to you if you burn paper without a screen on your fireplace. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://downtoearthhomesteaders.com/is-walnut-good-for-firewood/. You make an excellent point when you mention how you should refrain from putting garbage in your fireplace since they can release unhealthy chemical emissions in the air. Your email address will not be published. Also, there is the danger that the cardboard can float into the air as it is burning and leave the fireplace if a screen is not in place. … It also goes by the name Nerium. Maybe an alternative would be to have a bon fire outside with them! Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. Because Christmas trees are loaded with sap that burns quickly and pops, embers may rise quickly through your chimney and can start a chimney fire. It’s best not to burn green wood in your fireplace if you can avoid it. If you do choose to burn your bush you may find that it’s corky tissues make the job difficult. Often times you will find people wondering what to do with their painted or stained wood  after a remodel or a building has been torn down. Fireplaces are designed to burn wood but sometimes we treat them like a trash can and throw whatever we have lying around into them. I would skip it. I know it’s tempting to burn anything that will produce heat, but as you will read below it’s important to understand that burning some types of wood can put your health at risk. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. The high moisture content inhibits the wood’s combustion process, meaning less of the wood is converted into clean heat. They use wood as fuel and require someone to tend them.However, the joy you receive from the scent, the sound, and actively taking part in ensuring heat and light in your home is second to none. It doesn’t take very long, just a few months, for the tree to die. Often times people use pressure treated wood for building decks of other outdoor structures that they want to be beautiful and last for years to come. Sounds risky to me. The decline in some populations of tree species is due to logging combined with a lack of fire. . At some point, during a roaring fire, you’ll suddenly think a tornado is hitting your house as the creosote bursts into flame and fire and sparks shoot out of the top of your chmney. I’m new to the Florida State. So what is the real danger? I’m sure you can picture lighting a piece of paper and then watching it catch a draft and go airborne. We have helped countless customers shop for high-quality items -- from air conditioners, to heating units, to water heaters, and more -- and have set up this blog as an extension of our commitment to helping homeowners become informed of the things that matter to them. Finally, don’t burn cloth or clothing in your fireplace or in your wood … Types of Wood You Should Not Burn in Your Fireplace Posted on: January 6, 2017 Whether you have a beautiful open fireplace in your home or you’re off out on an exciting outdoor camping trip into the wilds, nothing on earth beats the beauty of a real fire for warmth. Just like burning cardboard in your fireplace, burning trash in your fireplace is not a good idea. The creosote will stick to the sides of the chimney and can ignite, causing a chimney fire. My wife and I would like to get a fireplace for our home before it snows next month, but we aren’t sure if we should burn the oak wood that we have in our backyard. Happy holidays! Palm tree wood or the outside bark of it. Be cautious when wood is covered in moss and lichen growth as these may create too much smoke for an indoor fire. It sounds like you have a draft problem and that you should go see a doctor. Why does some wood leave rock hard ash? Don’t burn it at all inside or outside. The wood shavings of black walnut wood are also toxic, so care should be taken when children or plants are around a fire. Can you share your source with me? When this happens, carefully use the fireplace poker to shift the position of the logs, so the fire can reach new parts of the wood. Non-Local Wood. Cold air builds up in the space inside your fireplace when the doors are closed, and if this space isn’t given time to warm up a bit you’ll be left with a downward draft that will push smoke back into your room. In addition to softwood, you should avoid burning wet wood in your fireplace. Just because it’s free wood doesn’t make it a great and healthy source of heat. It's tempting to burn old scrap lumber in your wood stove. Likewise, burning manufactured wood products produces toxins and carcinogens. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Red or pink brick indicates no creosote build-up, as opposed to a black and furry substance all on the inside. Will these blackened pieces still be good and safe to burn? Inspect your fireplace with a mirror and high-powered flashlight to check for dust, cobwebs, or discolored brick. Never burn painted, stained, or treated wood or manufactured wood such as plywood and particle board. Have I missed anything? . I am glad you think our articles are informative and helpful. Don’t burn your food over it, don’t toast marshmallows on a stick from it, and don’t breath in its smoke. A lot of vegetables come on a styrofoam tray that you are left to dispose of. If a piece of wood is wet, it won’t burn efficiently. Thank you . My wife and I are interested in getting a fireplace to keep our cats warm during an incoming storm, but we want to make sure that we do not accidentally burn anything that could compromise our pets’ health. We have been burning wood from a previous forrest fire, oak and juniper from northern Arizona. Yes, walnut is good for firewood. Thank you for the info. Green wood if burned in a fireplace will typically result in a lot of smoke and creosote build up in your chimney. It’s best to avoid burning them if you have any other options available to you. Similarly, plywood should not be burned in your fireplace. So glad you appreciate this article. Then once burning it creates a smoky atmosphere that, as we all know, will stay with you and your clothes until thoroughly cleaned. Oleander trees are beautiful to look at but toxic in all its parts. Required fields are marked *. Making sure your fireplace is clean is important, even if you have never used your fireplace before. I hope that this helps a little bit. They were again spray painted in 2009 with the same kind of paint. Burning treated lumber is not advisable. Ingestion of the plant can affect your gastrointestinal system, your heart, and the central nervous system. If you are buying firewood, be sure to only buy local wood. What say you ? These woods will burn better than many while still rather green; although they all will burn best when seasoned. Burning it in your fireplace will give off fumes that are harmful for you to breathe. For that reason, only use dry or seasoned wood in your fireplace. When someone would then go and burn pine, it would burn hot and then light all that accumulated creosote on fire. You should not use most cedar species in any stove or fireplace you value. Always burn wood that is dry to the touch and seasoned (prepared for burning by allowing excess moisture to fully evaporate). Green wood (wood that is not seasoned) is not good for your fireplace. I tried it and it took a long time to catch on fire. Just wondering if it’s safe to cook with. If it is becoming a nuisance to you you may try mowing down the vine in order to keep it in check. Well, Christmas trees have an abundance of dry needles that can catch on fire super quickly and the tree has a ton of sap, which is super flammable and full of creosote that can clog up your chimney. Well, actually, its not a good idea. Finding a way to repurpose wood pallets is a great idea—just don’t burn them. Speaking of taking steps to prevent smoke build-up throughout the room, choosing the correct wood for your indoor fireplace is crucial. If you quit adding new logs, the fire will eventually extinguish itself, having no fresh wood to catch on to. Making sure your fireplace is clean is important, even if you have never used your fireplace before. The cooler temperatures of a green fire also don’t allow the creosote in smoke to burn up, and that creosote adheres to your chimney causing buildup. I’m sorry to hear that you were sick. For long-lasting fuel for your fireplace, try wood with a higher density, like rock elm, hickory, oak, or certain maples. It’s best to avoid burning this tempting firewood in your indoor fireplace. You can use some very dry elm, or a few pine splinters as kindling to start the fire. Thank you! Longleaf Pine are listed as endangered, but some say they should be qualified as critically endangered if a thorough assessment was done. 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