With the costs of living skyrocketing across the globe, some households are becoming desperate with sourcing their heat supplies. This includes wood for home fireboxes. The Firewood Company has a timely reminder on the safe woods to burn, and more importantly the ones you need to stay away from at all costs.
Budgets budgets budgets – it is certainly the most talked about aspect of 2022. With the costs of food, fuel, and general living going through the roof, it’s no surprise that so many households are desperate to save money in any way they can. Firewood is also falling into this category with many now sourcing their wood in the hope they can save some much-needed funds.
However, it’s imperative to remember that firewood needs to correctly season – or in other words dry-out for optimal burning and heat. For hardwoods, it can take up to one to three years to correctly season, while softwoods can take anywhere up to six months or more depending on the level of airflow, sunlight, and weather protection.
Choosing to burning wet, unseasoned wood can block your chimney, putting your home at a higher risk of a chimney fire, and also leave you with a struggling fire that will not be economical for heating your home.
Then there’s the smoke, wet wood will puff and smoke through the entire neighbourhood. So if you are sourcing your wood, giving it the correct amount of time, cover, and airflow is vital for a good burning season.
Top Woods, You Should Never Burn
Treated woods like treated timber
Wood pallets
Painted or Stained woods
Green unseasoned woods
Driftwood
Plyboard
Christmas Trees
Treated woods and many wood pallets have been treated and can produce toxic smoke that can cause lung irritation. It is always advised not to burn any treated wood – including painted and stained wood. When burnt they will release chemicals that can be very harmful. Consider using these woods for other purposes – there are some incredibly creative ideas for pallets and garden furniture but keep them away from the fireplace or burn pile.
Driftwood is normally salt ridden and will release dioxin when burnt. Remember that chlorine is a chemical compound of salt and when burnt it will release dioxins –carcinogenic and highly toxic to humans. The Firewood Company suggests keeping the driftwood as garden art and not for burning in any situation.
Plyboard and other boards used in construction can contain loads of glue and other bonding agents that will produce toxic smoke when burnt.
Burning Christmas trees sounds like an unusual one, as afterall we don’t tend to have our fires lit around that time of year. However, it’s good to remember that by the time the tree is done, it will be incredibly dry and filled with highly flammable needles and plenty of sap. Burning Christmas trees will cause a massive amount of spitting embers, if you already have a chimney that is blocked, or partiality blocked you may increase your risk of a chimney fire.
What Wood to Burn?
You should only burn good, seasoned wood sourced from a sustainable local provider. Or well-seasoned wood you have collected yourself. This will not only keep you and your family safe from any toxic smoke, but it will also ensure you are kept warm safely while also looking after your firebox. Chimney fires are an extremely dangerous event, burning the wrong types of wood and unseasoned wood increases the chances of a chimney fire that can put your family and home at risk.
Got your wood yet? You know who to call…..
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