I'm told not to burn "soft" woods like pine and other evergreens in my fireplace. Why?

Answer 1

Well these are the best burning woods.If you split the logs and stack for a year,this wood is ok.However if your fire/stove generates enough heat the natural oils in the wood will be burnt.Now there are products to make/assist this combustion to happen

Answer 2

You will need more frequent chimney cleaning if you burn softwoods. If you stick to hardwoods you can go years without a cleaning, burn softwood and you are best to have the chimney sweep come annually. A chimney fire can definitely destroy a home due to the fact that the built up creosote will burn at a temperature that no chimney can handle.

Answer 3

I wouldn't do it. The wood fire will produce a lot more heat than the gas, and may well end up melting down the gas ring. Another consideration is the ash resulting from the wood fire. It will likely clog up the burner holes in the gas ring .Assuming that this is a typical fireplace with a gas burner in it; it shouldn't be hard to remove the gas burner assembly and put in a fire grate.

Answer 4

The will cause the build up of creosote in the chimney, a leading cause of house fires.

Answer 5

They produce more creosote and other resins that can stick to the inside of your chimney and eventually cause a fire.

Answer 6

in addition to the other excellent reasons given by the other folks who answered, softwoods can be treated with chemicals and these chemicals can be toxic when burned.

Answer 7

split and dry 3 YO pine is good heat...so much heat that any resin will be burned ....just needs more air....dont choke it down like u "wood" seasond hardwood....willow is slutty heat too...all kinds be MUST be dry!!!