Why wont my Firewood burn?

Question

I went to a saw mill and purchased large HUNKS of scrap wood to use in my fireplace. These are some seriously hard, dense pieces of wood, pretty sure its oak. I know if I was using a wood stove they would burn hot for quite awhile. but I cant seem to get it catch in my fireplace. I have been attempting to burn it for a couple of hours now. all the small pieces of wood and kindling lit and burned w/no problem. This piece is getting scorched and black, but its not giving off any flame. whats up with that?

Answer 1

You need more heat and smaller pieces. If the piece you are trying to burn is too large it will not catch on fire. This is why fire wood is split into smaller pieces.Hardwood like Oak takes more heat to start, but once it is burning it makes a nice fire. Of course it will not burn if it is green wood either.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It won't burn because it's the cheapest, poorest sort of wood available, and it hasn't been dried long enough. I doubt if Wal-Mart's is any better. In my experience with a few of these woods, you had to add other wood, gathered from forest deadfalls, to create enough heat to burn it. I suppose if you bought some, took it out of its wrapping, and let it dry for a few months or more, it might work tolerably. But everything like this I've ever seen has been the trashiest type of softwood (like poplar), and burns up very quickly when dry, producing little in the way of heat per pound of wood. If it's poplar, it will also "pop" the whole time it's burning, throwing off little bits of flaming wood. If possible, see if there are any firewood dealers in your area and see if you can pick up small lots from them, maybe a bushel or two at a time, instead of having to buy a cord or half cord of wood.

Answer 4

Firewood hard to burn
I live in western Pa. Ohio line near East Palestine. get slabs at mill. I cut, spit & age some 2-3 yrs. One type of wood will not burn, gets orange color for hrs. in newer EPA wood stove stays same shape, poke it falls apart & coles glow for hrs. Wood is covered & very dry.
Ash wood burns fine, I keep my chimney clean, good draft. What type of wood is this? Most thickness is 2 to 5 inches

Answer 5

I agree with the green wood answers. Another problem may be the size of the wood. Try spliting it into smaller pieces. A third problem may be a partly plugged chimmey. If it is you will not gave a good draft (watch out for a chimmey fire) and your fireplace will smoke into the house.

Answer 6

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/LAgzj
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 7

It's probably still green. Fire wood should be seasoned for a year before it is put into a fireplace. Sawmills cut the lumber from green trees, trees that are not dried out.

Answer 8

Could it be a little damp? You may need to use larger bits of wood for the kindling to get a bigger fire before you add the chunks of wood.

Answer 9

Stack it up and let it "weather" for a year or two to let the moisture out - preferrably outside. Try starting the fire with different wood that DOES burn, so that the temperature of the fire gets higher before you try to light the tough stuff. Good luck!

Answer 10

If the wood is green it burns slower, takes awhile to catch fire and if it's the littlest bit wet, it'll just scorch and give off smoke before it finally dries out enough to catch fire