12 Things Never to Burn in a Fireplace

Are there really 12 things you shouldn't burn in a fireplace? The answer is yes - basically anything other than seasoned cordwood is a potential hazard. While you and your family are sitting around a cozy fire, think about what you are burning in your fireplace. 

Treated or Painted Wood

Lumber and wood materials that have been painted or chemically treated to resist decay and insects can emit hazardous toxins when burned. This includes construction scraps and most wooden pallets.

These harmful chemicals can accelerate corrosion in your firebox and chimney flue, potentially causing significant damage over time.

Is burning treated or painted wood in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes, it poses serious risks. When burned, these materials release various toxic substances, including arsenic and lead compounds. Exposure can result in health issues ranging from respiratory irritation and skin reactions to more severe conditions like cancer and chronic diseases.

Furniture

Most furniture pieces contain treated and painted components, making them unsuitable for burning. Additionally, furniture often contains metal hardware like nails and screws that can cause injuries during handling, burning, and ash cleanup.

Is burning furniture in the fireplace dangerous?

Absolutely. "Furniture typically consists of various processed wood materials with unknown chemical treatments," explains Nikolin. "When burned, it releases a complex mixture of toxins that can severely impact your health."

Particle Board

While particle board shares hazards with treated wood and furniture, it deserves special mention because "burning particle board is particularly dangerous," warns Nikolin. "The material contains high concentrations of adhesives and chemical treatments that produce extremely toxic fumes when burned."

Is burning particle board in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes, burning particle board poses significant health risks. The chemicals released can cause both immediate and long-term health complications.

Moldy or Rotting Wood

Burning wood that's moldy or decomposing releases fungal spores into the air, triggering breathing difficulties. This wood is also less dense and contains more moisture, producing excessive smoke while generating minimal heat. Additionally, removing such wood can disrupt natural habitats, as decaying trees and fallen logs often house various wildlife including nesting birds.

Is burning moldy or rotten wood in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes, burning moldy or rotting wood can be hazardous. The released spores and bacteria can irritate your respiratory system and eyes.

Dry wood is "checked" or cracked on the ends. 

Wet Wood

Wet Wood

Freshly cut wood or trees with high moisture content that haven't been properly seasoned will produce excessive smoke during burning. This results in dangerous creosote buildup on your chimney walls, creating a serious fire hazard. Such wood is also frustratingly difficult to ignite, which explains why you should never harvest trees directly from campsites for burning.

Is burning wet wood in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes, burning wet wood poses significant risks. Wet or unseasoned wood generates excessive smoke and creosote buildup, creating a serious fire hazard.

Purchase a moisture meter to check moisture content before burning. It should be 20% or less. 

Newspaper and Cardboard

While it's tempting to dispose of old pizza boxes or weekend newspapers in your fireplace, these materials can create persistent embers that float up the chimney. These floating embers pose risks of igniting chimney fires, roof fires, or even wildfires. However, there's one exception: using small amounts of tightly twisted newspaper for fire starting is generally considered safe.

Is burning paper and cardboard in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes. Wood pulp products, particularly in large quantities, tend to produce large flaking embers that can potentially trigger house fires.

Glossy Paper

Like regular paper products, glossy materials such as magazines, gift wrap, candy wrappers, and chocolate boxes can ignite house fires. Additionally, these items contain colored inks that release toxic gases during combustion.

Is burning glossy paper in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes. According to Nikolin, "While they appear to be simple paper products, they actually contain various materials including plastic, glossy or colored inks, and foil. When burned, these materials produce excessive smoke and ash that can clog your chimney, while also releasing toxic chemicals harmful to health."

Plastics and Synthetic Materials

This should be common knowledge, but it bears repeating: never burn plastic materials. These items contain high levels of carcinogens that, when burned, release harmful chemicals affecting not only those in immediate proximity but also individuals downwind who may inhale the smoke.

It doesn't matter what type of plastic material you have—whether it's shopping bags, bubble wrap packaging, plastic bottles, styrofoam containers, or even cigarette butts—these items should never be burned in your fireplace. It's also important to note that many disposable food containers that appear to be made of paper often contain a thin plastic lining.

Is burning plastic and other synthetic materials in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes, extremely dangerous. When plastic materials are burned, they release toxic chemicals and carcinogenic substances that can be hazardous when inhaled.

Dryer Lint

Having previously praised dryer lint for its fire-starting capabilities, I was quite disappointed to discover that it shouldn't be burned in fireplaces or anywhere else. One major concern is that it contains microplastic fibers from clothing—considering that polyester and nylon (both forms of plastic) make up more than two-thirds of modern clothing materials. Additionally, the highly combustible nature of dryer lint makes it a significant fire hazard.

Is burning dryer lint in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes. The synthetic fibers present in dryer lint can release hazardous chemical fumes throughout your home and chimney system.

Charcoal

While it might seem logical to use leftover barbecue charcoal in your fireplace, this practice can be dangerous as it releases high levels of carbon monoxide into your living space. Even with proper fireplace ventilation, your home's air filtration system may struggle to handle elevated carbon monoxide emissions from charcoal burning.

Is burning charcoal in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes. Charcoal combustion produces high concentrations of carbon monoxide, a lethal gas that cannot be detected by smell or sight, making exposure especially dangerous.

Christmas Trees

While disposing of your old Christmas tree in the fireplace might seem practical, it's actually quite dangerous. The wood hasn't been properly seasoned, and evergreen trees and their needles contain high concentrations of fast-burning resin. This can generate extremely high temperatures that may lead to chimney fires or structural damage to your chimney.

Is burning Christmas trees in the fireplace dangerous?

Yes, they pose a serious fire hazard. "The needles can create dangerous sparks and embers that shoot out unpredictably, while burning unevenly and intensely, which often results in dangerous flare-ups in your fireplace," explains Nikolin.

Fire Accelerants

If you're frustrated by slow-starting fires, you might be tempted to use accelerants such as gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene. However, these highly flammable liquids can cause fires to escalate rapidly and generate excessive heat that can damage your fireplace and chimney.

Is it dangerous to burn fire accelerants in the fireplace?

Yes, they can cause fires to quickly become unmanageable, putting both your home and chimney structure at risk.

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Marge Padgitt is the owner of Hearthmasters Chimney Service, Padgitt Forensic Investigations, and Hearthmasters Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the author of "Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking," "Your House is Killing You," and The Chimney and Hearth Pro's Resource book. Website: www.chimkc.com.