What You Should Not Burn in a Fireplace or Wood Stove

Is there anything you shouldn’t burn indoors in your fireplace or wood stove?

It can be tempting to use different things as fuel or it may be an easy way to dispose of old stuff. However, there are things you should never burn indoors in a fireplace or a wood burner.

Things Not to Burn in a Fireplace

Here is a list of what not to burn in a fireplace:

Plastic
Paper with colored print
Charcoal
Treated wood
Varnished or Painted wood
Plywood and chipboard
Moldy wood
Wet wood
Driftwood
Fire accelerating fluids
Green wood
Christmas trees or pine needles

Read on to find out why those things should not be used as fireplace fuel.

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What You Should Not Burn in a Fireplace and Why

Plastic

While burned, plastic releases toxic chemicals which are harmful when inhaled. Burning any plastic both indoors and outdoors, is not only dangerous for you, but it also pollutes the atmosphere.

Magazines or cardboard with colored print

Although they are very flammable and burn well, the ink used for print can release toxic gases when burned.

Charcoal

Charcoal releases carbon monoxide into the air, that’s why it’s not safe to burn it in a fireplace inside your home. While it’s commonly used and it’s safe to burn in outdoor grills, it shouldn’t be used indoors.

Treated or painted wood

Here we’ve written an article on why you shouldn’t burn treated wood in a fireplace or fire pit.

Plywood and chipboard

Chipboard and plywood may contain chemicals and glues which were used to give them shape.

Moldy wood

You don’t want to inhale molds released to the air as they can harm your lungs.

Wet wood

Can you burn wet wood in a fireplace? No, wet wood produces a lot of smoke and it’s not a great chose for firewood.

Driftwood

Well dried driftwood may seem a good choice for firewood. However, it may contain a lot of salt which will corrode the metal parts of your fireplace, wood burner or chimney.

Fire accelerants

Fire starters, fire accelerants, gasoline, grill starter fluids shouldn’t be used for indoor fireplaces or wood stoves. They can increase the temperature of your fire to the point which is unsafe for your fireplace, wood stove or chimney.

Green wood

Freshly cut wood contains plenty of sap and water. It’s hard to light and produces a lot of smoke. It’s better to wait six to nine months for the wood to dry.

Christmas trees

Can you burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace? Can you burn pine needles in a fireplace?
No, it’s not a good idea! Surprised? See why.

Why you shouldn’t burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace

Needles of coniferous trees contain nitrogenn and terpenes. These substances are highly toxic when burned. Apart from that, Christmas tree needles create sparks. The sparks can fall on your carpet, furniture or clothes leaving marks or even setting them on fire. Yet another reason for not burning your Christmas tree in a wood stove or a fireplace is that the tree is not as dry as it seems, there is still a lot of moisture inside and it will produce a lot of smoke.

Other frequently asked questions about types of wood not to burn in a fireplace:

Is any wood poisonous to burn in a fireplace?

Yes. Apart from those mentioned above, some plants are poisonous to burn, as they create toxic fumes when burned. Those plans include: rhododendron, sumac, oleander, poison oak, Mexican pepper and poison ivy.

Can you burn old decking in a fireplace?

No, the wood used for your decking was most certainly treated with chemicals. These chemicals will emit toxic smoke when burned.

Can I burn MDF in a wood burner?

No, it’s not a good idea. MDF, like chipboard, contains resin used in its production. It can produce toxic fumes when burned, which are harmful to you and the environment.

What wood is toxic burning?

As we mentioned above, any wood containing chemicals is toxic when burning. This includes treated wood, painted or varnished wood, plywood and other manufactured wood as well as some species of plants and trees.

What kind of wood should you not burn in a wood stove or fireplace?

You shouldn’t burn in your fireplace: treated wood, wet wood, driftwood, manufactured wood (MDF, plywood, chipboard) or Christmas trees.

Conclusion

To summarize, avoid burning in your indoor fireplace anything that is not natural and anything that will produce a lot of smoke. Also, avoid burning materials which may damage your fireplace or chimney by increasing the heat too much or corroding it.