Wood burner fire risk warning

[Bfc]

Please don't ignore this advice.
I have been placing 2 large rings of pine wood at each side of my multi stove fire(not touching) to dry them out, for them later to burn better on the fire.
Tonight I've stoked up the fire until the flames were glowing, intending it to keep my house warm overnight. Luckily for me after coming back into the room from a few minutes in my kitchen I smelt something was not right and then noticed smoke coming from 2 of the pieces of wood. I'd no idea the stove heat could have set the wood on fire. I have smoke detectors fitted and working in the house. Others with the same idea may not be as lucky, once they've gone to bed. No sarky comments please, as I know what it's like to lose a family member in a fire, hence the warning.

[Wile E Coyote]

I found some old wood and intended chopping it up for the wood burner, my pal with a chain saw told me it would give off toxic fumes, as the wood had been treated with something or other. I thought wood was wood, and it was all fit for the fire, apparently not.

[john'sroseyspecs]

I've known 2 people who've had fires in the way described. Ok to dry it out that way but only supervised. My stove blasting out tonight!

[tim_noone]

I found some old wood and intended chopping it up for the wood burner, my pal with a chain saw told me it would give off toxic fumes, as the wood had been treated with something or other. I thought wood was wood, and it was all fit for the fire, apparently not.

Yes apparently certain wood for stoves or even barbecues and open fires can be toxic.

[Wile E Coyote]

The worst thing was, I carried two huge pieces of the wood about half a mile, reminiscent of mel gibson in "The Passion of the Christ" film.

[KRBFC]

I've got 2 big stacks of wood infront of mine ready to burn through, takes the p**s to light, i've ran out of firelighters. Any tips?????

[tim_noone]

The worst thing was, I carried two huge pieces of the wood about half a mile, reminiscent of mel gibson in "The Passion of the Christ" film.

Be careful of the big nails!

[Wile E Coyote]

it had nails in them Tim !!!

[tim_noone]

I've got 2 big stacks of wood infront of mine ready to burn through, takes the p**s to light, i've ran out of firelighters. Any tips?????

I'm sure happy or flying bolt could assist.

[Wile E Coyote]

I've got 2 big stacks of wood infront of mine ready to burn through, takes the p**s to light, i've ran out of firelighters. Any tips?????

1000 gallons of aviation fuel should get it going

[grapidianclaret]

I've got 2 big stacks of wood infront of mine ready to burn through, takes the p**s to light, i've ran out of firelighters. Any tips?????

Use small kindling on the bottom of the fire and build up with gradually larger pieces.

[starting_11]

I've got 2 big stacks of wood infront of mine ready to burn through, takes the p**s to light, i've ran out of firelighters. Any tips?????

Kitchen roll soaked with a bit of vegetable oil.

Might make your house smell like a chinese takeaway though so do it at your own peril.

Cotton wool and petroleum jelly burns nice and slow too.

[Wile E Coyote]

that works well starting 11, also tightly rolled paper or card

[Rowls]

You dry wood out properly by cutting it a year before you burn it.

Buy or cut next year's wood THIS YEAR.

Invest properly in storing it properly. Garden centres have cheap outdoor storage units if you don't have a cellar / outhouse / old outdoor privvy.

[Rowls]

Yes apparently certain wood for stoves or even barbecues and open fires can be toxic.

All wood burns. All smoke is toxic.

Pine wood has more resin so you get a more acrid smoke.

You can cook anything by burning wood.

[Damo]

You have to be careful what you put on wood burners.
If it's not dried properly you run the risk of burning your house down. Stay away from hard woods and the resin they coat your flue with too

[what_no_pies]

Not a snarky comment at all but:

To make a fire you need heat, oxygen and fuel.

Your wood is the fuel and you've left it by the heat source with oxygen everywhere around it. What did you think was going to happen? It's absolutely not safe to be drying wood out this way indoors - left long enough it will inevitably ignite. Be very wary of any other 'fuel' which may be too close, that can ignite too if allowed to get too hot.

You've had a seriously narrow escape there, hopefully a valuable lesson learned.

[starting_11]

that works well starting 11, also tightly rolled paper or card

I only start fires in my charcoal starter for my BBQ.

I've been using a lot of old letters/statements etc. I moved house with a binbag full and now hardy got any left! Great way of getting rid of them!

[Bfc]

Yes it was lucky What No Pies, that's the reason for my post. I had bought about 50 big rings of pine, which were unused bases for Xmas trees, all wet and some of the biggest we're heavy. I spaced them out in my greenhouse to help dry them out. Then brought them in 4 at a time to help dry out more by standing them on there side before smashing them into smaller pieces with a 14 lb hammer, to burn. The only reason I hadn't swapped them and put some more at the side of the stove to dry out was the trouble getting to my greenhouse, because of the snow/ice.
The smoking ones were as expected very hot when I frantically moved them, cursing but thanking my lucky stars, for firstly being in the house and secondly, it was not a disaster.

[JohnMac]

I've got 2 big stacks of wood infront of mine ready to burn through, takes the p**s to light, i've ran out of firelighters. Any tips?????

Go to youtube and search "Ray Mears", you should have it going in no time at all..

Note - Wearing shorts is not compulsary whilst watching

[Joe Buck]

Be careful with wood that's been treated with preservatives[ tantalised] they can give off fumes which can lead to cancers

[Hipper]

1000 gallons of aviation fuel should get it going

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO6UVnJY-II" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

from 1811.

London Mayor wants to ban wood burners:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41439268" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Funkydrummer]

Be careful with wood that's been treated with preservatives[ tantalised] they can give off fumes which can lead to cancers

Yeah, it's dangerous stuff that tantalised wood !!

[Joe Buck]

Yeah, it's dangerous stuff that tantalised wood !!

Ha Ha it is dangerous but tanaslised wood is worse

[Funkydrummer]

Tanalised wood is even worserer.

PS Not nit picking by the way, just having a laugh.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Apparently wood burners give out more particulates in a year than a HGV.

I was considering getting one in our new extension but have now decided against it. The Government will hammer them with tax soon.

[Rowls]

Yes it was lucky What No Pies, that's the reason for my post. I had bought about 50 big rings of pine, which were unused bases for Xmas trees, all wet and some of the biggest we're heavy. I spaced them out in my greenhouse to help dry them out. Then brought them in 4 at a time to help dry out more by standing them on there side before smashing them into smaller pieces with a 14 lb hammer, to burn. The only reason I hadn't swapped them and put some more at the side of the stove to dry out was the trouble getting to my greenhouse, because of the snow/ice.
The smoking ones were as expected very hot when I frantically moved them, cursing but thanking my lucky stars, for firstly being in the house and secondly, it was not a disaster.

Pine wood is heavy is resin which is why it burns quicker and catches easier.

You should buy your wood more in advance and give it longer to dry out.

Not only will that negate this kind of risk, you fire will burn better, hotter and more efficiently too.

[Rowls]

Be careful with wood that's been treated with preservatives[ tantalised] they can give off fumes which can lead to cancers

All smoke is toxic.

London Mayor wants to ban wood burners:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41439268" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As the article points out - the Mayor of London is either deliberately grandstanding or being a tit.

There is already a law that can be used to prevent burning of smoking fuels. As the article states:

"But under the The Clean Air Act local councils can already set up Smoke Control Areas where only smokeless fuels should be burnt, or wood is burnt only in "exempt appliances"."

[Wile E Coyote]

wood burners are good because it encourages hunter gatherer techniques, f*** the two faced mayor of london.