What not to burn in your fire
SAFETY TIP
Always wear heatproof gloves when loading woo d to your fire, every time!
The fireplace is admired by some not only for its comfort-factor, but also its potential capacity for waste disposal. Consider this list of items to never burn in your fireplace. 1) Magazines. Whilst that old stack of glossy magazines may seem innocent enough, the inks and coatings release toxic chemicals with burning. 2) Wet firewood. In addition to making lighting tougher, wet or damp firewood as fuel often results in a smokier burn and a greater build-up of creosote in your chimney. 3) Painted or treated timber. The chemicals contained change in nature and release nasty compounds with heat, which can harm your health and wood heater. 4) Plastics, foam and other household rubbish. Though it may seem an enticing way to quickly get rid of that empty bottle or that item that just won’t fit in your rubbish bin, household rubbish can very quickly become a hazard once placed in your fire, releasing highly toxic chemicals in fumes, including dangerous dioxins.
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5) Evergreen Wood. The last thing you’d expect to read on this list is wood, however evergreen trees, such as flowering gum release resin with burning that can result in a greater build-up of creosote. Softwoods give a fast burn, however don’t provide long lasting coals. 6) Driftwood. Covered in salt burning driftwood releases sodium and chlorine ions. The chlorine ions can lead to formation of toxic compounds such as dioxins and furans. Salty driftwood will cause corrosion within your firebox and flue system. 7) Accelerants. Lighter fluid, kerosene, and petrol are all designed for very specific uses and should never be used to fuel an indoor fire. These accelerants often contain methanol and petroleum-based chemicals that produce toxic fumes. They are highly flammable and can produce large, unexpected flare-ups that spread the fire into your home and potentially on you.
More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
