Think Twice Before Burning This in Your Fire Pit

If you have a fire pit, then you may at times find yourself looking for items you can burn in it, especially when you run out of firewood and want to keep the fire going. While some items are obviously not safe to burn (hello plastic), it can be hard to determine if other materials are suitable for the fire pit. This is no small thing. Burn the wrong items and you could be releasing toxins in the air that aren’t safe to breathe. Here are common items that end up in the backyard firepit that should never go there:

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MDF and particle board

Old beaten up particle board or MDF furniture may seem like great fuel for the fire pit. It’s made of wood after all and wood is what you burn. It’s not that straightforward. Most particleboard and MDF consists of wood particles that are held together by glue. While those wood particles are safe to burn, that adhesive is not as it can release toxins into the air. 

Wooden Pallets

Wooden pallets must be safe because they’re entirely wood. Right? The problem is most wooden pallets are treated with a chemical called methyl bromide, a pesticide and fungicide that makes the pallets safer for transporting food and other materials. When you burn the wood, you release those toxic chemicals into the air. 

Yard Waste

Burning yard waste like leaves isn't a good idea. Burning leaves produce more smoke and carbon monoxide than burning wood due to its high moisture content and low combustion point. The smoke caused by burning yard waste can aggravate respiratory issues like asthma. Many areas actually ban the burning of leaves. When burning yard waste, you also often don’t know exactly what you're burning. If plants such as poison sumac or poison ivy end up in your fire pit, they can release fumes that can cause severe allergic responses. 

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Treated Lumber

Lumber that’s been treated for outdoor use, such as fencing and decking, is something you should definitely not burn. Treated wood is loaded with chemicals designed to protect it from water. These chemicals are hazardous when burned and released into the air. Some older treated lumber may even contain arsenic. 

Cardboard boxes and old magazine

Cardboard boxes and magazines usually have printing on them. When the ink in this printing burns, it releases toxic fumes. Cardboard boxes can also burn very quickly, which can make it difficult to control your fire. 

Softwood

You can burn softwood, which includes pine and spruce, in your fire pit, but it’s not ideal. Softwood contains a high level of resin from tree sap, which causes it to burn with more smoke. Hardwoods, which firewood is made up of, are ideal because they burn slower, hotter, and produce less smoke.