Can you burn Cardboard in Wood Stove or Fireplace?

Can you burn Cardboard in a Wood Stove? Burning cardboard in a fireplace isn’t a good idea, but what about a wood stove?

According to research, more than 30% of homes in the United States rely on wood for heat. Burning wood is a great way to stay warm, but it’s essential to do so safely.

This means within that 30% of homeowners, the question of whether it’s safe to burn cardboard in a wood stove comes up often.

Cardboard is made from paper, which is a combustible material. This means that it can catch fire and burn quickly. However, when burned in a wood stove, cardboard can also release harmful chemicals.

These chemicals can include carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans. Inhaling these chemicals can be harmful to your health.

Before burning any material in any type of wood stove, it’s essential to check the manufacturer’s instructions. If you burn the wrong materials, it can even lead to a chimney fire.

With in-depth research and a considerable time spent uncovering more about the topic, our guide below will give you all the information you need about burning cardboard in a wood stove.

Is it Safe to Burn Cardboard in a Woodstove or Fireplace?

No. It’s unsafe, and cardboard should never be burned in your fireplace or woodstove. As explained earlier, cardboard is made of paper, a combustible material.

It can release harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans into the air when burned.

Inhaling these chemicals can harm your health, causing respiratory problems, cancer, and other illnesses.

Moreover, ashes from burning cardboard can clog up your chimney or wood stove setup variations, which can be a fire hazard. They can also travel through the air and land on surfaces in your home, like your carpets or furniture, causing a fire.

What Firestarters are Safe to Use Instead of Wood?

The main reason why people burn cardboard in a fireplace or woodstove is to start a fire.

Luckily, there are many safe and effective fire starters that you can use instead of cardboard. Here are some of the best options:

• Dryer lint: It’s easy to collect and makes an excellent fire starter. Just make sure it’s completely dry before using it.
• Wax fire starters: You can buy these commercially or make them at home. They’re easy to use and can be reused many times.
• Egg cartons: Fill each section of an egg carton with dryer lint, sawdust, or wax. Then light the edge of the carton to start a fire.
• Wood shavings: If you have a woodworking project, save the shavings to use as fire starters. Just make sure they’re completely dry before using them.
• Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly: Soak cotton balls in petroleum jelly, then place them in a sealable container. To use, light the cotton ball with a match or lighter.
• Newspaper: Crumpled-up pieces of newspaper can make good fire starters. Just make sure they’re dry before using them.

Using fire starters is safer than burning cardboard in your fireplace or woodstove. Not only will they not release harmful chemicals into the air, but they’re also less likely to cause a fire.

What Not to Burn in a Woodstove or Fireplace?

There are dos and don’ts when you own a woodstove or fireplace. Here are seventeen things you should avoid while using your old wood stove or fireplace:

Cardboard

Cardboards are the emphasis of this article. It is crucial to know that burning cardboard can be very dangerous.

Many of these materials are sometimes coated with wax, plastic, ink, paint, or other chemicals that create toxic fumes when burned. Even untreated cardboard may be hazardous in your home because it can burn quickly and intensely. This might result in tall, towering flames that can cause property damage.

The following are different kinds of  cardboard that you should never burn in your wood stove or fireplace:

• Pizza boxes
• Gift boxes
• Cereal boxes
• Shipping boxes

Treated Paper Materials

Treated paper materials are similar to cardboard in composition but often have a higher level of chemicals.

You can find treated paper in the following items:

• Magazine Papers
• Wrapping paper
• Color printed boxes
• Junk mail

When burned, the toxins can off-gas and enter your home through the chimney, eventually poisoning you and your family.

Wrong Firewood

Isn’t all firewood right for the wood stove? No, there are different types of firewood, and some can damage your wood stove.

The following are examples of the wrong kind of firewood to burn:

• Treated coated or painted wood
• Christmas trees
• Wet wood
• Green or pressure-treated wood
• Plywood 
• Driftwood

Most of the woods mentioned above aren’t dry enough and can release harmful chemicals into the air.

Besides that, they’re also treated in different ways using chemicals, and some can even be painted. These chemicals can also enter your home and cause respiratory problems.

Flammable Liquid

It would be best to never pour flammable liquids onto a fire in your wood stove or fireplace. Doing so can create a massive fire that can quickly spread to the rest of your house and cause severe damage.

Some common flammable liquids are:

• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Lighter fluid
• Diesel fuel
• Propane

Using some flammable liquid to start a fire is possible, but it’s best to avoid it altogether. There are much safer ways to start a fire in your wood stove or fireplace.

Plastic Items

Plastic can be found in many household items, from packaging materials to children’s toys.

When burned, plastic can release harmful toxins into the air. These toxins can cause respiratory problems, cancer, and other health issues.

Chemically Treated Wood

Chemically treated wood is often used in construction projects because it’s resistant to rot and pests.

However, you should never burn chemically treated wood in your stove or fireplace. When burned, these chemicals can be released into the air and cause health problems.

Any Garbage or Waste

You should never burn hazardous waste in your wood stove or fireplace.

This includes items like:

• Paint
• Pesticides
• Cleaning products
• Oil
• Antifreeze
• Tires

Burning these materials can release harmful toxins into the air. These toxins can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.

Food Scraps

While you can burn some food scraps in your wood stove or fireplace, you should never burn certain types of food.

These include:

• Bones
• Fatty foods
• Greasy foods

Food scraps can produce a lot of smoke when burned. This smoke can quickly fill up your home and cause respiratory problems.

Debris or Leaves

Most people don’t think about the dangers of burning debris or leaves in their fireplace, but it can be hazardous. Burning leaves can create a lot of smoke and cause your fireplace to backdraft.

If you must burn debris or leaves in your fireplace, ensure that you have a screen over the opening to prevent any flying embers from causing a fire. But the best way to stay safe is to avoid burning debris or leaves in your fireplace.

Fresh Fruit Peels

When you burn fruit peels in your fireplace, they can create a lot of smoke and be difficult to extinguish. If you must burn them, do so outside and away from home.

Batteries and Fabric

Other items you should avoid burning in your wood stove or fireplace are batteries and fabric. Batteries can release toxic chemicals when burned and should not be disposed of in this manner.

Fabric can also create much soot and cause your chimney to catch fire. If you have any fabric that you need to dispose of, it’s best to take it to a recycling center.

Charcoal or Coal

It’s unsafe to burn charcoal or coal in your fireplace. They can produce large amounts of carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases.

When such gases build up, they can create a serious fire hazard.

Additionally, burning charcoal or coal can damage your fireplace and chimney. The chemicals in these fuels can erode the mortar and bricks in your fireplace, leading to costly repairs.

Polystyrene Foam

Similar to plastic items, polystyrene foam can give off harmful gases when burned. Polystyrene is used to make food containers, packing peanuts, and Styrofoam cups.

Avoid burning polystyrene foam in your wood stove or fireplace at all costs.

Rubber

Rubber exists in many forms and can be used for various purposes. It can be natural or synthetic and can be either solid or liquid.

You can find solid rubber in the form of tires, shoe soles, and other objects that need to be durable and elastic. Liquid rubber is used in adhesives, paints, and coatings.

While you can burn rubber for fuel, it is not recommended. Burning rubber produces hazardous chemicals and can be challenging to control. Therefore, it’s not safe to burn any form of rubber in your wood stove or fireplace.

Diapers

Diapers are a form of waste that some people tend to burn in their fireplaces. This can be a health hazard to both you and your family. You shouldn’t take diaper waste lightly because of the toxins released into the air when burned.

It would be best to avoid burning diapers in your fireplace altogether. If you have diaper waste, it’s best to dispose of it in the garbage can.

Nut Shells

While you may not think they would produce harmful toxins, they can release carcinogens into the air when burned.

Generally, it’s best to avoid burning food waste in your fireplace. If you need to get rid of nut shells, dispose of them in the garbage can rather than burning them in your fireplace.

Paint

Paint can be highly harmful to your health if inhaled, so it’s not something you should be burning in your fireplace. Burning paint releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air, harming your health.

If you have any leftover paint, it’s best to dispose of it at your local hazardous waste facility.

What Can I Burn in My Fireplace or Woodstove?

Now that you know what can’t be burned in your fireplace or woodstove, you’re probably wondering what can be burned. The following is a list of materials that are safe to burn in your fireplace or woodstove:

Dry Seasoned Firewood

Unlike green wood, dry seasoned firewood is safe to burn in your fireplace or woodstove. Seasoned firewood has been cut and left to dry for at least six months.

When burning seasoned firewood, you can expect it to produce less smoke and be easier to ignite. Seasoned firewood also produces more heat than green wood.

Hardwood Firewood

Hardwood firewood is a type of seasoned firewood that is ideal for burning in your fireplace or woodstove. Hardwoods are denser than softwoods and burn hotter and cleaner.

Some of the most popular types of hardwood firewood include oak, maple, and cherry. If you can find hardwood firewood that has been cut and split.

Softwood Firewood

Softwood firewood is another seasoned firewood that you can burn in your fireplace or woodstove. Softwoods are not as dense as hardwoods and don’t burn as hot.

However, softwoods can be just as effective at providing heat to your home. Some of the most popular types of softwood firewood include pine, cedar, and fir.

Conclusion

Now that you know what can and can’t be burned in your fireplace or woodstove, you can make sure only to burn safe materials. Be sure to only burn dry, seasoned firewood in your fireplace or woodstove for the best results.

The best way to maintain a safe and clean-burning fire is to have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly. Contact a certified chimney sweep in your area if you have questions about what can be burned in your fireplace or woodstove.

FAQs

Does cardboard burn hotter than wood?

Cardboard can burn hotter than wood, but it is not as dense. Therefore, it doesn’t last as long. Cardboard burns more quickly than wood because it has a lower ignition temperature and a higher heat of combustion.

The ignition temperature is when the material will catch fire and start to burn. The heat of combustion is the amount of heat released when a material is burned.

Does burning cardboard cause creosote?

Burning cardboard can cause creosote to form and build up faster in your chimney. Creosote is a flammable substance that can cause chimney fires.

Therefore, it’s crucial to avoid burning materials like cardboard that can cause creosote buildup.

Can you burn paper in a gas fireplace?

Yes. You can burn paper in a gas fireplace, but it is not recommended. Paper burns faster and can quickly rise up the flue and cause a chimney fire by igniting creosote buildup.

Besides that, heated paper can fly up and out of the chimney and land on your roof, a neighbor’s property, or even combustible materials on your compound, causing a fire.