Creosote.... The good bad and the ugly

[Moose]

So I cleaned one of my chimneys today and I found myself thinking. (my first mistake) I was thinking that since creosote is formed my the with warm, moist, unburnt gases condensating to the cool walls of the chimney. then creosote is in turn a source of fuel (hence chimney fires) In my mind I would think that instead of throwing it out It could be recycled and re-burnt in the stove. I thought that it might just re-stick to the chimney, but most all of the moisture is already removed from the creosote therefore nothing to condensate. If I had to guess I would guess that it is a whole lot drier than the wood that I burn. The only concern that I can come up with is if the burn temp of the creosote would exceed the recommended burning temp for my stove. but if I just stuck a cup full in with every load I'm thinking I would be fine. or even better sprinkle some on some hot coals. This way there is no moisture from the wood. I donno just a thought. I'm really interested to see what everyone has to say.

 

[Highbeam]

So you tried to burn it didn't you? These are the kinds of things you do in your BBQ, outside firepit, or even on the garage floor. Take a cup, set it on the ground, and put a match to it. If that doesn't work then add a dash of pertroleum to try and get things going.

 

[Moose]

So you tried to burn it didn't you? These are the kinds of things you do in your BBQ, outside firepit, or even on the garage floor. Take a cup, set it on the ground, and put a match to it. If that doesn't work then add a dash of pertroleum to try and get things going.

Aah, nope hadn't tried it and nope not putting a cup of gasoline soaked creosote on my back porch and lighting it. Already know it will burn Just wanted people's thoughts on recycling it in the wood stove.

 

[Metal]

If you have so much creosote that you are trying to find ways to recycle it you may have some other issues and are just waiting for a chimney fire. Maybe you can buy a mill and make it into pellets that you can sell at the local Big Box Store?

 

[Moose]

one of my set up's does create a little more creosote than I would like, but nothing crazy or dangerous been burning my whole life and trust me the stoves from the 70's and 80's were creosote factories. I am no where near that level. I don't have an overabundance of aluminum cans, But I still take the 6pak of soda cans that I drink a month to be recycled. I don't take much to the land fill. I try to find uses for everything. Was just trying to do the same here. Its not like if I don't find something to do with it, it is going to spill over into the neighbors yard or anything.

 

[Metal]

Here are some uses from Wikipedia:

"Wood creosote has been used as a disinfectant, a laxative, and a cough treatment, but these have mostly been replaced by newer medicines. The popular Japanese anti-diarrheal Seirogan has 133mg creosote (from beech, maple or oak wood) per adult dose as its primary ingredient."

 

[DoubleClutch]

I've burned it in small doses, just as you describe. Burns great.

 

[Todd]

I've never done it, but don't see why you couldn't sprinkle a cup or so back into your stove. Nothing wrong with recycling.

 

[BrotherBart]

I leave the stuff in the ashes in the stove when I clean the chimney and then just light the fire and go ahead on. Never noticed anything weird happening.

 

[swestall]

You could burn it, or you could dump it in the yard for fertilizer, grow some veggies, make a salad, get some energy by eating it, go out in the woods and cut some trees, split them up, burn them and make some new creosote: repeat. (LOL)
Seriously, it burns but you would need to mix it in.

 

[crazy_dan]

I'm in the same boat as BrotherBart when I sweep the chimney anything that comes down will just stay in the stove or burn up till I shovel it out never had any adverse reactions from it