Safety & Maintenance
What Not to Burn in a Fireplace or Wood Stove
A fireplace is not an incinerator. What goes into it affects the smoke leaving the chimney, the deposits forming in the flue and the air inside and outside your home.
EPA guidance is clear: wood-burning appliances should be operated with the right fuel, and many common household materials should never be burned.
Do not burn household trash
Plastic packaging, foam, colored wrappers and mixed garbage can release harmful pollutants when burned. Trash also burns unpredictably and may create floating embers.
Cardboard should not be used as a regular fuel source. Small amounts of plain newspaper may be used to start a fire, but piles of boxes and household waste do not belong in the fireplace.
Do not burn painted, coated or pressure-treated wood
Construction leftovers can contain paint, preservatives, adhesives or other chemicals. When burned, those compounds become part of the smoke and ash.
This includes many scraps from decks, fences, cabinets and remodeling projects.
Do not burn plywood, particleboard or glued wood products
Manufactured wood products often contain adhesives and resins. They are not the same as clean, natural firewood.
Do not burn wet or green wood
Wet wood is not “dangerous” for the same reason as plastic, but it is poor fireplace fuel. A large amount of the fire’s energy is spent driving water out of the wood. The result is more smoke, a cooler fire and conditions that can contribute to creosote formation.
EPA guidance recommends seasoned wood and suggests moisture content around 20 percent or less.
Do not burn driftwood or unknown salvaged material
Wood that has been exposed to salt, chemicals, paint or contamination should not be assumed safe simply because it looks like wood.
Do not use gasoline or liquid accelerants
Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter fluid or other volatile fuel to start or restart an indoor fireplace fire. Vapors can ignite explosively.
Use dry kindling, approved natural fire starters or the starting method specified by the appliance manufacturer.
Do not burn charcoal in an indoor fireplace
Charcoal can create significant carbon monoxide. EPA specifically warns against using charcoal in indoor fireplaces.
What should you burn?
For a wood-burning fireplace or stove designed for cordwood, use clean, dry, seasoned wood appropriate for the appliance.
Store it off the ground, protect the top from precipitation and leave the sides open enough for airflow. A moisture meter is a simple way to check whether wood is actually dry rather than guessing from appearance.
Colorado firewood and winter storage
Colorado’s dry climate can help season firewood, but snow can still soak an uncovered stack. Covering the entire pile tightly with plastic can trap moisture instead of solving the problem.
A better setup protects the top from rain and snow while allowing air to move through the stack.
Why fuel choice matters to chimney service
When a technician sees unusually heavy soot or creosote, fuel history is part of the diagnosis. Repeatedly burning wet or inappropriate material can make cleaning more frequent and may contribute to odors and deposits.
Good fuel will not replace inspection, but it can help the system operate closer to the way it was intended.
Keaton Chimney Solutions provides chimney cleaning, inspection and repair throughout Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and surrounding Colorado communities. Call 720-734-5373.
Can I burn cardboard boxes?
A fireplace should not be used to dispose of cardboard or household packaging. Use proper fire-starting materials and clean seasoned wood.
Is pine okay to burn?
Species matters less than moisture and proper burning. Dry, seasoned wood is the priority.
How can I tell if firewood is dry?
Use a moisture meter on a freshly split face of the wood rather than judging only by color or weight.
Need help with a chimney or fireplace in Colorado? Keaton Chimney Solutions serves Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and surrounding communities. Call 720-734-5373.