With a warm, crackling fire in your fireplace nearby, it’s seems like anything that can burn should be able to. Yet, as tempting as it is, many items can release dangerous fumes, dense smoke and can certainly cause build up within your chimney and flu. Some items can even be a fire hazard. To get the most out of your chimney and chimney safety only burn what your fireplace or wood stove has been designed for.
be sure to call us and have a chimney inspection and have your chimney swept as soon as possible even during the colder months.
Here are 8 things you should never burn in your fireplace or wood stove.
Wet or unseasoned wood
Unseasoned firewood can contain as much as 40 percent water. When the wood burns it will produce more smoke and take longer to burn. Wet unseasoned wood can cause dangerous creosote to build up within your chimney. Wet wood also does not produce as much heat as dry, cured firewood.
Plastics
This one is obvious. Any type of household plastics, whether its plastic containers from food or cleaners, to bubble wrap and cups, no plastics should not be burned in a fireplace. Plastics release toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, and heavy metals, that are dangerous for your health and bad for the environment.
Christmas Trees
While it may be tempting to cut up and burn your live Christmas tree in your wood-burning fireplace just after the holidays, Christmas trees should not be burned in your fireplace. Christmas trees contains high levels of resin and they are uncured. These resins burn quickly and can pop, causing a risk of a chimney fire.
Treated or Painted Lumber
Lumber that has been painted and/or treated often can contain toxic chemicals that get released when burned. These dangerous chemicals can put your family at risk if they are inhaled.
Gift Wrapping & Cardboard
This includes just about any type of paper with shiny finish, foils or colored print. These papers include wrapping paper, magazines, cereal boxes, and pizza boxes, and gift bags and boxes may release dangerous fumes and smoke. These papers have been treated with adhesives, inks and in some cases plastic coatings which will release toxic fumes when burned.
Cardboard and cardboard products have often been treated with adhesives, especially if they have print or wax based coatings on them. They can release toxic fumes and chemicals which can be dangerous to your family.
Particle Board, MDF, Plywood or Chipboard
Manufactured wood products have been processed with adhesives and chemicals therefore, they will release toxic fumes and carcinogenic compounds when burned.
Use of Accelerant or Fire Starters
Any accelerant, such as kerosene, gasoline, or grill starter fluid should never be used help get your fire started. Accelerants or fire starters can cause flare ups in your fire or heat your fire to extremely high temperatures that are unsafe for your fireplace and chimney.
When it comes to grill starter fluid always follow the instructions for use with your type of outdoor grill.
If you are using fire starter logs for your fireplace or wood stove then follow the instructions as they may vary based on the size of your fireplace or wood stove.
Driftwood
Just because it is nice and dry does not mean it should be burned in your fireplace. Driftwood from the ocean, will contain salt which when burned can corrode your fireplace and chimney.
Conclusion
The best fuel for your fireplace or wood stove is what it was designed for. Dry cured wood for fireplaces and wood stoves. If you have a pellet stove then be sure to use the right type of wood pellets. Gas burning fireplaces and wood stoves should not have any items being put in them to burn. Any other use or burning of items other than what your fireplace or stove is designed for puts your home and family at risk.
If you have burned any of these items in your fireplace or wood stove be sure to call us and get an inspection and have your chimney swept, even in the colder months.
