OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace

Re: OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace

John K Jordan

It's not OK if the offcuts are big enough for woodturners who turn small things! Even 1/2" square and 5" long is enough for the handle and clapper on one of these:

Otherwise, I burn everything exotic or otherwise except pressure treated lumber. Cocobolo burns especially well - you can light it with a match and it will burn like a candle.

JKJ

Re: OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace

jcousins

yep - i have all those & some more and they all go into the fire -

jerry

Re: OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace

JL

I would think about avoiding really "oily" woods. Other than that, everything except pressure treated gets burned. I use my burn pit though - as I have a propane fireplace.

Re: OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace

John McGaw

If your fireplace draws well and doesn't dribble smoke into the room then, sure, go ahead and burn. If it doesn't draw well, some caution is called for since some exotics are allergy triggers. I've burned all sorts of exotic scraps with no problems.

Re: OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace

Roy

Obviously you have never burned desert ironwood. Not a pleasant smell-reminiscent of certain odors in Vietnam.

Roy G

Re: OT - Exotic Wood in Fireplace *LINK*

John McGaw

No, actually I have. It is one of my favorite turning woods and there are invariably scraps too small for turning so they usually wind up in the fireplace. Like many woods, the smell is sometimes unpleasant (or even toxic) which is why I emphasized that one should make sure that the fireplace draws well. Personally, I can't stand the smell of zebrawood but that is a matter of personal taste.

Did you know that desert ironwood was once endangered by people wanting it for firewood?


See paragraph near the end