Broadband Tech > General Questions > Is it unsafe to burn Pine in wood stove?

Is it unsafe to burn Pine in wood stove?

It is unsafe as it will build up too much creosote and increase the risk of a chimney fire. Use hardwood, oak, maple, birch, ash, black cherry, beech. Those are ones that come to mind and grow around me.
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reply to signmeuptoo
Most pine varieties are a sappy, soft wood. It burns fast and hot. I would not burn it alone and absolutely not right away. You can burn a small piece or two to get the fire started and mix some in with other hardwood to burn only after it sat and seasoned for a long time (like 18 months).
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reply to signmeuptoo
What frustrates me is that my roomate is sometimes a Mr. Knowitall even when he doesn't know what he is talking about. For instance: I am a LASER technologist among other things, and went to college for it, but he will argue about that topic with me even though he has little college and no LASER training.

He laughed at me when I told him it would cause creosote build up a few weeks ago, he made a face at me and got mad. Sometimes it is really hard living here, heh.
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reply to jack b

reply to signmeuptoo

Re: Is it unsafe to burn Pine in wood stove?

reply to signmeuptoo
Soft small woods to start, then hard to keep it going. Wait did I say that. Seriously like other said softwoods will build up creosote.

reply to signmeuptoo
There are two issues with burning Pine, it is less dense then hardwoods and it has a lot of Resin.

Assuming it is well seasoned (which yours is not) burning Pine is not a problem but you need to make sure fire does not get too hot or too cool. Because Pine is not very dense it tends to burn very hot, but only for a short period of time. On the other hand if fire is not hot enough volatiles will vaporize rather then burn in the stove. If chimney cools gas enough vapor condenses forming Creosote creating a potential fire hazard. Chimmney fires are to be avoided at all cost - that can be truely harrowing experiences.

I'd suggest cutting felled tree to stove length and split it. Store outside under a tarp until next year. Use a little at a time next year. Hat to waste free wood just be careful.

/tom

reply to signmeuptoo

reply to signmeuptoo
Pine wood is sappy and burns hot. It can lead to cresote buildup in your chimney which can increase the chances of a chimney fire.

Having said that, you can burn the pine a little bit at a time as long as you're using mostly good hardwood. The pine can be used as kindling, etc
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reply to signmeuptoo
Tell him to call any chimney sweep and he'll be told the same thing. Pines build up creosote. Will your chimney be a fire hazard after burning a cord of pine? No, but it will accelerate how often you need to clean it to prevent it from being one.

reply to signmeuptoo
From the sounds of it, the wood is really to green yet to burn, especially with pine. Best to let it set for a year or so. After that, depending on the type of stove you have, I would have no problem using it.

reply to jack b

reply to signmeuptoo
pine is okay to burn.

green wood is not okay to burn.

as long as you have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually there is nothing to worry about.... unless you burn green wood

reply to signmeuptoo
which brings up how long's it been since your chimney's been cleaned. Are you owning the house, or renting? The last places I lived that had fireplaces were both apts. and you NEVER got yer chimney sweeped (caveats: I lived in Cali all me life, and I'd assume the complex mgrs. being maybe similar, would be uninformed as I was at the time; in califonia fireplaces are more status/option than utilitarian unless yer high elevation).
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reply to signmeuptoo


Get an oil burner.....and a new room mate.

reply to signmeuptoo
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reply to signmeuptoo
You might consider wood pellet stoves too, they burn VERY clean, hot and are a lot easier to use and maintain.

»www.woodpelletstoves.net/

They produce little smoke, which is a plus, especially in the winter with the inversion layers which can trap smoke like fog in low lying areas and valleys.

reply to toplevelpot