And the five wood species mentioned above, are the densest in America. What Kind of Wood Should You Burn in Your Fireplace? By stacking the wood in a firewood rack, on wooden pallets or on top of 2x4 runners, it allows the wind to flow under the wood and penetrate all sides of the firewood stack.. Softwoods are safe to burn and often better to start your fire with than hardwoods. Resinous woods, such as pines and other conifers, can be very appealing to burn. So when starting a fire in the evening, be prepared for a longer period before you can close the damper. It's filled with harmful glues, which will expel some nasty smoke into the air.We also think that you should stay away from the myriad of paint, adhesive, or synthetic woods for the same reason. Leroy's mission is to give people the experience of the perfect fire because some of lifes best memories are made in the warmth of a fires glow. in the Spring/Fall). Over time, the rotten wood will eventually degrade into nothing. Russian Olive tree wood is safe to burn but gives off an unpleasant odor. A campfire is one of the best ways to spend a few hours on an evening, but not everyone knows what wood is toxic to burn. The following tips will help you do just that. It has an exceptional heat output. Best Firewood To Burn Chart - Ranked Best To Worst - Fire Pit Fanatic Definitely dont burn it, and dont even use a branch to toast your marshmallow on. They will not burn as hot as the hardwoods. Stock up on premium kiln dried firewood by visiting our online store today. Anything with a varnish or veneer will release toxic smoke. Green, or fresh wood, is simply never a good idea to burn. Just remember to avoid burning the seven types of wood mentioned here. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Ignite Your Outdoor Oasis with the 7 Best Gas Fire Pits, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Firewood should be stacked in rows and elevated off the ground in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. 1. Fortunately, unseasoned wood is generally too wet to burn, so there's a chance that you may not be in any imminent danger. Here are some tips on firewood NOT to buy. Not to worry. While green wood often has a moisture content of 50% or more, the moisture content of kiln dried firewood from Cutting Edge is around 5%. Moldy wood can create toxic fumes when burned. Generally speaking, anything 25+ is very hot burning firewood. When placed inside a drying kiln, the firewood is exposed to heat and pressure that lowers its moisture content. Unseasoned firewood not only burns slower and produces less heat than seasoned firewood, it also produces more smoke. While the list above includes some great woods that are great in any fireplace, there are more than enough that you should stay away from. 6540 Kingston Ct, And in this short guide, well rank 15 of the most common types of wood using 6 standard burn qualities. If sparks are not an issue for you (for example, if you will only burn it in a sealed wood stove), then Mulberry is an excellent choice. Some can be dangerous, while others can be downright toxic, or otherwise just not the best wood for fireplace. Choosing dry hardwood firewood can prevent mold growth, but for other types of firewood, theres the potential for mold. The far tips of both logs should actually touch the rear of the firebox . You can learn more about seasoing firewood in this article. If you discover rotten wood, either toss it in the trash or place it outside to decompose naturally. Because of its low moisture content, kiln dried firewood produces more heat and less smoke than other types of firewood. Wood that is toxic to burn is an important consideration though and these types of wood can look similar to perfectly safe alternatives. When using your fireplace this winter, its important to use the right type of firewood. This higher water content will give you similar issues to burning green wood. Ocean driftwood has a high salt content, and chlorine is a chemical compound of salt. Freshly cut firewood is almost always too wet to burn, and usually must dry for an entire year, or season, before it makes for suitable fireplace fuel. In addition, Oak produces minimal smoke, does not spark significantly, creates excellent coals, and is easy to split when dry. Millions of trees and thousands of acres of forest have been seriously damaged or even killed by these non-native pests. Cherry, Hard Maple, Oak, and Birch are considered hardwoods (Oak and Hard Maple being the hardest, longest-burning wood choices of the lot). Types of Wood That Are Toxic to Burn Before we worry about the specifics, if you're going to make a campfire you need to find wood that is not living and is also not rotten. Breathing it in can cause lung irritation and severe allergic respiratory problems, the Centers for Disease Control state. Whats wrong with burning driftwood in your fireplace? outdoor) and enclosed fireplaces. Just one log can jeopardize a forest or a species, like what has happened with the emerald ash borer, gold-spotted oak borer, gypsy moth and sudden oak death. As the name implies, chemically treated wood can cause many problems for your personal health. Best Wood-Burning Practices | US EPA Heat value varies based on the type of wood: A cord of wood with "high heat value" provides the heat equivalent to that produced by burning 200 to 250 gallons of heating oil. Hardwood is good for keeping fires burning hotter and creating coals for cooking at a high temperature. If youre not sure whether your area or nearby areas are affected, contact your states Department of Agriculture or visit Don't Move Firewood to find out. JJ is a firewood enthusiast, an Eagle Scout, and an avid learner and teacher of outdoor skills. Black Walnut is the most expensive North American hardwood, and its prized for woodworking. It has a high heat output. If you want to keep your fire going overnight, you shouldnt rely on softwood. However, Mulberry, which is otherwise top-level firewood, does produce a moderate amount of smoke. Its hard to light and once you get it going, it burns very efficiently and smokes horribly. But is there any wood that is toxic to burn? It's generally found in mixed cords, which are ash bundled with other hardwoods such as hickory or oak. A Fireplace Classic: Find Out the Best Wood to Burn! Beech firewood is another top-tier firewood. Firstly, you should make sure you recognize the wood you are burning. They give off fewer emissions, burn for longer and often burn hotter because there are fewer wet spots in the compressed log. Watch out for any wood covered with vines. The biggest issue with Mulberry firewood is that it produces heavy sparks. That article also mentions 4 types of firewood that smell particularly bad. The Eco logs are made of compressed wood chips, sawdust, and excess products like grape seeds, and even coffee grounds. Next on the list is Ash. Since there are so many types of wood, this is not a comprehensive list. Turns out there are a lot more uses for fireplace ash. Moldy wood should also be avoided when building fires in your fireplace. As a result, burning softwood will result in the production of dark, thick smoke that pollutes your home and clogs your chimney. The good news is that all hardwoods and most softwoods in the US are perfectly safe to burn and to cook on. Wood that sparks heavily can create significant fire hazards, which can cause problems in both open-air (e.g. Since smell is so closely associated with flavor, fragrant woods are also sometimes used for BBQ and smoking meats. Hard Maple also produces far more smoke than Soft Maple does. On the other hand, Ash doesnt burn as hot or produce coals as good as other top firewood types.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'burlybeaver_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_12',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-burlybeaver_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'burlybeaver_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_13',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-burlybeaver_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-109{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Like a greenhorn, green wood is fresh on the scene. Firstly, the elements of a good fire are a suitable choice of the tinder, the kindling, and the logs or fuel. When this type of wood is burned, it releases these chemicals into the air. Australian pine is the exception because it has far less resin. How do you know when to burn one over the other? 7 Types of Wood You Shouldn't Burn in Your Fireplace A hotter fire (from Eco logs which burn for longer) also keeps the chimney cleaner. The Worst Types of Wood To Burn in Your Fire Pit Green Wood (freshly cut) Driftwood Construction Wood Does It Matter What Wood You Burn in a Fire Pit? Next, well take a look at each of these 15 types of firewood in more detail, to better understand why they rank where they do. It has an exceptional heat output. Hardwood is a denser form of wood, such as oak and cherry. If the wood gives off more smoke than your chimney can handle, you risk being smoked out in your own room. And in some cases, the heat output of Oak can be even higher than Black Locust. It may be pressure treated or contain plastics that can harm you, your chimney, or the people that you love.Most driftwood has unknown origins, but if you can verify that it came from somewhere that it's safe to burn, you should ditch it.For most, it's just not worth the risk. What is the Best Wood to Burn (For Fire Pit & Campfire) - Wood Thrive And although Black Locust has the highest heat output on our list, Osage-Orange and certain species of Oak technically have a higher heat output. Lutefisk is dried lingcod reconstituted with a lye solution, traditionally wood ashes mixed in water. A bonfire with leftover construction materials and broken chairs might sound like heaven, but itll be one toxic party. According to Leigh Greenwood, campaign manager for the Dont Move Firewood Campaign, firewood that travels too far is the number one way that invasive insects and diseases rapidly spread. Even today, though, most of the chemicals used for this wood-preservation method are toxic to humans. Best Burning Woods for Your Fires - Fiskars Cherry, Hard Maple, Oak, and Birch are considered hardwoods (Oak and Hard Maple being the hardest, longest-burning wood choices of the lot). That Cozy Fire Could Be Hazardous to Your Health Can You Burn Pine in a Fireplace? Is It Good Firewood? Also note: the above numbers are based on Southern Yellow Pine. Furniture is often made from plywood or chipboard and strong adhesives. Oak - Excellent. With that said, it can still be helpful to burn if its more readily available then other types of wood. You should always make sure your firewood is properly seasoned (dried) before you burn it. You may already know not to burn trash like coated, painted, or pressure-treated wood. Pine is an extremely sappy wood and can contribute significantly to creosote build-up, which can cause chimney fires. Burning newspaper, cardboard, wrapping paper and magazines can float long-lasting embers into the air and even up the chimney, where they can set creosote and the roof ablaze. As a note, this specific group of 15 was selected because they are among the most common firewood species in the USA. Use this mapfor more details on firewood transmitters in your area. Elm, Buckeye, etc.) What Type of Wood Is Best to Burn in My Fire Pit? Burning creosote wood is toxic in itself and should be avoided. Therefore, you shouldnt burn moldy wood in your fireplace. Best Wood For Fires - Which Type of Wood Burns Best - Log Splitters Direct For example, the heat output of White Pine is only 15.9.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'burlybeaver_com-leader-3','ezslot_18',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-burlybeaver_com-leader-3-0'); In this section, Ill explain the standard burn qualities that were used to inform the rankings of the different firewood types above. While wood from fruit trees is usually sought after for firewood, the mango tree is extremely toxic. Some of her other credits include the March cover of Readers Digest, National Parks, National Geographic Channel and Atlas Obscura. I've been collecting firewood, planting trees, and woodworking since before I could hold an axe. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 15 Things You Should Never Burn in the Fireplace - Bob Vila Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. If youre breathing it in, its carcinogenic, and thats not a good thing, says naturalist and TV survivalist instructor Roger Hammer. The heat escapes right up the chimney. Painted wood should also not be burned, especially with older paints often containing lead. When you are making your fire indoors, its even more important to think about avoiding toxic wood burning. For the cleanest and warmest fires, stick with kiln dried firewood when using your fireplace this winter. When a living tree is cut down, the timber needs to age or "season" for a minimum of six to nine months before burning. Rotten wood is less dense and wont produce as much heat as dried wood. "Dont leave questionable wood lying around, and certainly dont take any home with you from a distant campground," he says. These harbor far more toxins and moisture than dry, deadwood. Before you even start a fire indoors, whether you have a stove or a fireplace, make sure the surrounding area is clear.