Can I burn 2 x 4s in a woodstove?

Answer 1

Burning 2x4's is probably not a good idea. The most type of wood used to make 2x4s is pine. If you boards are are asking about are not made from pine, then they can be burned. However, here's a couple of things to keep in mind.

As previously mentioned, if these boards are 'Pressure treated' for external use then the chemicals used to treated it could give off toxic fumes. Same is true for painted wood.

You should never burn pine in a fireplace or stove where a chimney or flue is used. Nor should you use pine as a fuel for a cooking fire. Pine resin (or sap) has various chemicals in that are not conductive to a good food fire fuel source nor for a heat source. The chemicals in the resin is the same type found in turpentine. Using pine as fuel source for cooking will cause these chemicals to seep into the food you are cooking and will make your food taste horrible and possibly make you sick. It won't kill you, but I doubt you'll like the results.

The chemicals also produce a thick, sticky smoke residue that when traveling through a chimney or flue will cause an excess build up of charcoal and Creosote inside your chimney. Continued use will create a thick layer of this extremely flammable mix that is just waiting to 'explode' into flame (called a flash over) and then you home is very much as risk of catching fire.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I'm a carpenter and I do it all the time. Why let scrap wood go to a landfill when it will provide warmth? You will get a bit more popping with pine but if you can handle the 'popcorn' noise, no problem. We have a wood stove in our workshop and it keeps the whole area (30' x 24') warm. And it's been going 7 winters without creosote buildup, we check it every spring and have found no buildup at all.

Answer 3

You can, the sap from the pine will pop and boil and let off a thick sote called Creosote and it is extremely flamable. But, why would you want to when 2X4's are 1.96 for a 2x4x8. A cord of fire wood would be cheaper.

Answer 4

As long as they aren't pressure treated or pine you should have no problem. Pressure treated wood contains chemical which are toxic thus producing toxic fumes. It also produces a great deal of creosote/soot in the chimney that could be a safety hazard and create a fire you wouldn't want.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with burning properly seasoned pine. If you burn unseasoned wood of any species you will have creosote problems. Hardwoods are not available to most people that heat with wood. They burn pine, fir, and other soft woods exclusively. I burn pine all winter long and my flue is never dirty!

Answer 6

You can if they are not treated. You should also realize that they are probably made from pine and have more resins in the wood, so you need to have your chimney checked for build-up more often when burning this type of wood.

Answer 7

it would not be the best idea. even if the 2x4's are not treated (treated wood WILL KILL YOU if burned in your house), the sap and moister inherent with all pines will eventually destroy the inside of your stove. i would use them only as an absolute last resort to stay warm

Answer 8

We have for years. Just make sure there is no paint or creosole or anything like that on them or the fumes will kill you. Make sure there is proper ventilation. But that is what I mostly burn all winter.

Answer 9

Hey...I'm looking for some lumber, but it's too costly. Would you be interested in selling it, or are they just scrap pieces from a recent job?

Answer 10

Yes. As long as they are NOT pressure treated. But because they are made of pine, be careful of creosote buildup.