The crackling warmth of a firepit is an unparalleled experience on wintery nights. But it ceases to be so if the pit gives off heavy obnoxious smoke, or sparks start flying, and not in a romantic way.
It’s important to know what exactly goes into your fire pit, so you and your friends can enjoy a lovely evening. Also, to keep the air you breathe free from pollutants and harmful materials.
In this article, I’ll give you some examples of what you can burn in a fire pit, and what you should think twice before using as fodder.
What You Should Not Burn in a Fire Pit
Some people think that they can use any flammable material in their fire pit. That way, they can dispose of unwanted clutter or waste, and at the same time, get some heat on a cold night.
The logic is right, but the science is wrong. Some materials constitute a fire hazard, emit obnoxious smoke, spread spores, and pollute the air when they burn.
Clearly, such harmful items should be disposed of in a different manner. The following are examples of materials that should stay out of the fire pit.
Leaves
After cleaning up your garden, you end up with piles and piles of dead leaves. Burning them in the fire pit might seem like a good idea to dispose of them, and get some free fuel in the process.
Burning leaves is not such a good idea, unfortunately.
Dry leaves burn quickly and release plenty of smoke, flying embers, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The smell alone is annoying, and if someone has respiratory problems, it would be outright irritating.
Burning leaves can also fly out from the pit, and land on dry grass, branches, or flammable materials. This, clearly constitutes a fire hazard, so that’s another reason to refrain from burning leaves in the pit.
If your main concern is getting rid of all the dead leaves, you might want to consider composting or mulching. Both options are good for your garden and the environment.
Pine
Pine is a softwood that contains lots of resin. It burns with a cackle and a spark, and quite often pops out of the pit.
That’s not all. The burning resin emits thick dark smoke, that would turn all the laughter in a gathering into non-stop coughing.
When pine burns, it releases a tar-like substance known as creosote. As it is sticky and oily, it could pile up on the pit. This could be problematic as it’s flammable and hard to clean up.
Drywall
Burning drywall is a big No-No. The problem isn’t just the blinding smoke, it’s more. Drywall burns unpredictably and releases toxic fumes.
Prolonged exposure to these hazardous chemicals can cause eye, skin, and lung irritation, in addition to a host of other health problems. On top of that, burning drywall could trigger local regulations.
If you need to dispose of drywall, there are other alternatives to burning it in the pit. You can recycle it, or if that’s not feasible, you can always take it to a landfill.
A professional removal service can also handle the matter for you. Safety and environmental responsibility are always top priorities.
Paper
Paper burns unpredictably, and it usually throws embers and ashes all around. Plus, the fumes coming out of charred paper contain volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.
Burning paper releases various pollutants into the air, and the residual ash scatters all around the pit. It also poses a fire and safety hazard.
Recycling paper is the best approach to dispose of it. You can also add shredded paper to a compost heap, and it would contribute to the richness of the mix.
If you want to burn papers to dispose of sensitive documents, you can use a shredder, and then, add them to the home trash.
Pressure Treated Wood
Pressure-treated wood is one of the worst materials to burn in a pit. It often contains arsenic, chromium, and copper compounds. These are dangerous elements if released into the air.
Besides environmental pollution, being a health hazard, and health problems, burning pressure-treated wood could also cause some legal issues.
The best way to dispose of pressure-treated wood is through recycling, repurposing, or handing it over to a landfill for proper waste management.
Clothes
The fumes coming out of burning fabric and clothes contain potentially harmful substances. Microplastics emit toxic smoke that’s detrimental to health and well-being. They’re also dreadful for the air around the pit.
Synthetics, zippers, and plastic accessories also burn unpredictably, so they pose a serious fire hazard. In some cases, even putting out the fire can be difficult.
You can repurpose, donate, or sell old clothes instead of burning them in a pit. Alternatively, if they’re in no shape to be reused, you can use the proper waste-management process in your neighborhood.
Weeds
Getting rid of weeds is one of the most challenging tasks in gardening. You cut one of these Hydra-like plants, and two weeds come in its place. Even carrying them away can propagate their tiny seeds everywhere.
Burning the wicked weeds isn’t the answer though. It can still blow the seeds into the hot air, where they can find their way back to your garden.
Besides that, the smoke coming out of burning weeds is obnoxious. It could be outright dangerous if some of the weeds are poison ivy, oak, or sumac.
The oily substance that carries the irritant would spread all around the pit, and wreak havoc with lungs, skin, and allergies.
The best way to get rid of weeds is by plucking them mechanically or using an effective herbicide.
Yard Waste
Yard waste contains wet grass, fruits, dry leaves, shrubbery, or tree trimmings shorter than 4 feet. Some people think this could make for good fodder in a fire pit. That’s not quite right!
Local regulations in most places prohibit burning yard waste in a fire pit. The flame spread is unpredictable, debris might fly everywhere, and the smoke would be intolerable.
Throwing yard waste into the trash, or in a landfill, is also against the law in many states, so the best way to get rid of these unwanted greens is to contact a specialized disposal service.
Cedar
Cedar burns quickly giving off a large amount of heat and a pleasant resinous smell. It’s no wonder that many people throw a few logs of cedar wood into their fire pits.
The downside is that resinous substances aren’t too eco-friendly. They release fine particles and several types of air pollutants. These can harm people with respiratory problems, and they degrade air quality.
Rotten Wood
Rotten wood lacks the necessary dryness needed for creating a sustainable fire. If you throw it into the fire pit, you’d get too much smoke and too little fire. It’s not worth the hassle.
There’s also an added health hazard from burning rotten wood. It often contains fungi and mold. Hot air can easily carry the spores of these pathogens, which can cause various health problems.
Dog Poop
Two things make burning dog poop a terrible idea: The unpleasant smell and the spread of bacteria and pathogens into the air.
When dogs do their business, the only proper thing to do is to scoop it up and dispose of the dog poop correctly. This includes composting, burying, and throwing the dog poop bag into the trash.
What You Can Burn in a Fire Pit
Having talked about what you should not toss into the fire pit, here are some great fuels to keep a fire going, without serious harm to anyone’s health, or to your surroundings.
Seasoned Firewood
Dry seasoned hardwoods give clean fires that burn in a consistently efficient manner. Oak and maple are particularly well suited for fire pits and domestic heating.
Stay away from softwoods, like pine, as they spark excessively, and wouldn’t burn as efficiently as hardwoods.
Fire Logs
Compressed wood logs are convenient and quite easy to start. They serve best as complementary woods, rather than main fodder.
Twigs and Branches
Perfectly dry twigs and branches of non-resinous plants can be used in a fire pit. You can’t count on them solely though, as they burn quickly and give off smoke.
Charcoal Briquettes
Natural charcoal lumps or briquettes are among the best options for a fire pit. They emit consistent long-lasting heat, without the unpleasant smoke.
You can also use charcoal for a bit of grilling or roasting a few marshmallows.
Final Thoughts
Remember, enjoying a fire pit with family and friends is amazing, but it comes with responsibility.
Like everyone else, I would want to clear the clutter and waste around my garden, and letting it all burn would be quick and easy.
But here’s the thing; I would always prioritize health, well-being, and keeping our environment clean over using a shortcut for waste disposal.
It’s best to use proper substances for lighting up a neat fire in the pit. Seasoned firewood or charcoal is great. They burn nicely, and thoroughly. Plus, they’re mostly predictable.
Stay safe, enjoy life, and keep your environment flourishing!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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