Log burner expert shares what to never burn to avoid expensive and dangerous scenarios

It can be difficult to know what not to burn in your stove. It might seem like anything that burns should be able to go right in, as the smoke and fumes go right up the chimney. 

However, not all types of fuel are suitable for use in a wood burner as some items can be a fire hazard or release a cocktail of toxic fumes into your home and surrounding area.

According to , burning the “wrong type” can lead to “poor stove performance, expensive maintenance costs, and even dangerous situations”. Luckily, the experts have shared what should be avoided. 

1. Treated or painted wood

The log burner experts urged: “Never burn treated or painted wood in your wood-burning stove.” 

This type of wood is often “laden with chemicals” that can “harm your health and the environment” when burned.  

These chemicals can release toxic fumes and create a dangerous atmosphere in your home, especially for children, older people, and people with existing respiratory conditions. 

Treated or painted wood can also “damage the stove”. Not only does this increase the risk of problems in the future, but it can also lead to higher maintenance costs and reduced efficiency. 

2. Paper and cardboard 

While paper or cardboard can be used to help get a fire going while lighting it, it’s not recommended to burn it as a primary fuel in the stove. 

The experts instead recommend using a “natural firelighter” instead and saving paper and cardboard for recycling.  

They explained: “While it might seem like a quick, easy fuel option for getting a fire going, cardboard and paper produce a lot of smoke and can quickly clog up your chimney, leading to a fire hazard.”

3. Wet or green wood 

Burning green or wet wood is a “common mistake” people make with their wood-burning stoves. Freshly cut or green wood has a high moisture content, which is “unsuitable” for burning.  

The experts noted that burning this type of wood can lead to “incomplete combustion” or the “production and build-up of harmful by-products”, such as creosote or soot, leading to a chimney fire if left unchecked.  

Plus, burning wet or green wood is not an efficient way to get the best fire going as the moisture content will cause the flame to “fizzle out quickly”. 

4. Plywood and chipboard 

Plywood and chipboard are materials often used in construction or furniture creation. However, they are not suitable to be used as fuel in wood burners.

They are typically glued together using synthetic resins, which can release harmful chemicals when burned. 

What’s more, plywood and chipboard produce a lot of ash, quickly leading to the stove “clogging up, reducing its efficiency, and increasing the risk of a fire”.