According to the NEHPBA, roughly 57% of homeowners have a fireplace, wood-burning stove, or other hearth product in their home. During the winter months, 38% of those households use their hearth appliance daily.
To keep those fires burning, homeowners must stock up on firewood to maintain warmth, comfort, and ambiance all season long. But if you don’t know what to look for, sourcing the right fuel can quickly become time-consuming — and expensive — much like the rest of your holiday shopping.
’Tis the season for fireside coziness, but contrary to popular belief, not all wood (or flammable material) belongs in your fireplace.
The EPA identifies several categories of materials that should never be burned indoors, as they can release toxic chemicals, damage your appliance, or increase the risk of chimney fires. For the health of your household — and the longevity of your hearth — it’s important to know just what to avoid.
Many everyday items may seem flammable, but that doesn’t make them safe to burn.
Cardboard, including pizza boxes and shipping cartons, is often treated with waxes, plastics, inks, or adhesives that release harmful fumes when burned. Even untreated cardboard burns quickly and intensely, producing large flames that can damage your fireplace or chimney.
Plastics and foam — from bubble wrap to disposable cups — should never be burned. These materials release toxic substances such as dioxins, hydrochloric acid, and heavy metals, which are dangerous to your health and harmful to the environment.
Foam, in particular, burns rapidly, emits poisonous gases, and can accelerate fire spread.
Colored ink, including that on magazines, boxes, wrappers, wrapping paper, coupons, catalogs, and junk mail, is often coated with pigments and chemicals that release toxic smoke. A small amount of black-and-white newspaper can be used to help start a fire, but it should always be tucked beneath the wood to prevent burning embers from escaping the chimney.
Not all wood is suitable firewood, and some types pose serious risks when burned.
Coated, painted, and pressure-treated wood contains chemicals that can damage your eyes, lungs, and skin while also corroding your fireplace and chimney.
Ocean driftwood, while appealing, absorbs salts from seawater. When burned, those salts create toxic fumes and can cause rapid corrosion of metal chimney components.
Manufactured wood products, such as plywood or particle board, contain glues and binders that release carcinogens when burned.
Wet (green) wood produces excessive smoke and contributes to creosote buildup, the leading cause of chimney fires.
Rotted, moldy, or diseased wood burns inefficiently and may release harmful spores and toxins, worsening respiratory issues and increasing fire risk.
Though not on the EPA’s list, Christmas trees should also be avoided. Their high resin content and dry needles can ignite quickly, create intense flames, throw sparks, and lead to excessive creosote buildup.
Certain items should never enter a fireplace under any circumstances. Rubber releases thick, toxic smoke and burns unpredictably. Asbestos-containing materials become extremely dangerous when heated, releasing microscopic fibers that can cause fatal lung diseases. Manure and animal remains emit toxic gases, foul odors, and harmful particulates that can severely degrade indoor air quality.
Thankfully, products like those in our Gardus® rotary chimney-cleaning line can help reduce creosote and soot buildup, improving fireplace safety. Still, prevention is key.
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The best fuel for your fireplace is the fuel it was designed to burn — wood pellets for pellet stoves, and dry, seasoned or kiln-dried firewood for wood-burning fireplaces. Anything else puts your home at risk.
Moral of the story: Stick to properly seasoned (or kiln-dried), natural firewood for safe, efficient, and enjoyable fires all winter long.