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  1. Stateguy New Member

    joined: Dec 27, 2012
    24 posts
    Can you use mulch (thats not dyed) as firewood to burn
    #1

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  2. RORY12553 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Dec 12, 2011
    446 posts
    Southern NY
    I have not been burning long but I would say it is going to burn very fast and probably not worth the effort.
  3. jdp1152 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 4, 2012
    600 posts
    Massachusetts
    Sure can. I've been using some wood chips from some brush piles I had chipped up this fall. The chunks are decent size and a couple of handfuls work pretty well to help get a fire going. It certainly wasn't my intention, but there was only so much I could spread in the yard and they dry out quickly and serve the purpose so why not? I wouldn't go purchasing any for that reason and definitely wouldn't use something like triple shred.
  4. PapaDave Minister of Fire

    I use the mulch the dog makes, from kindling I bring in the house.;)
    TheGriz likes this.
  5. Stateguy New Member

    joined: Dec 27, 2012
    24 posts
    But what i am talking about is fine mulch what you use for flower beds
  6. jdp1152 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 4, 2012
    600 posts
    Massachusetts
    I don't imagine that stuff is very clean. I also doubt you'd get any kid of sustained burn/temp from it. A hot spurt followed by a bunch of hard junk on your bricks.
  7. fossil Super Moderator

    joined: Sep 30, 2007
    9,132 posts
    Bend, Oregon
    What are you contemplating burning this in?
  8. Stateguy New Member

    joined: Dec 27, 2012
    24 posts
    What I am talking about is fine mulch thats used in flower beds i can get yards of it at work
  9. tbuff Feeling the Heat

    joined: Dec 7, 2007
    382 posts
    Central NJ
    Is it treated with anything? Is it a playground mulch?
  10. Stateguy New Member

    joined: Dec 27, 2012
    24 posts
    A insert

    Not treated
  11. tbuff Feeling the Heat

    joined: Dec 7, 2007
    382 posts
    Central NJ
    Like Rory said, probably would burn fast. Maybe worth try in a pellet basket type thingy.
  12. corey21 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 28, 2010
    2,208 posts
    Soutwest VA
    Total waste of time.
    WoodpileOCD likes this.
  13. fossil Super Moderator

    joined: Sep 30, 2007
    9,132 posts
    Bend, Oregon
    Read your insert manufacturer's instruction manual to see what it says about fuel. Every one I've ever seen says burn dry firewood, period. I would never try to burn mulch in either of my stoves.
    PapaDave likes this.
  14. Lumberjack Member

    joined: Jan 2, 2008
    65 posts
    Western CT
    isn't mulch, not wood chips, mostly dirt and bark? I know bark has some BTU's but dirt doesn't ;lol

    honestly the biggest issue is that it is probably very wet
  15. BrotherBart He Who Moderates

    joined: Nov 18, 2005
    21,911 posts
    Northern Virginia
    You will end up with a smoldering pile of crap.

    Give it a shot and let us know how it works out.
  16. Cross Cut Saw Feeling the Heat

    That's like when someone says "oh man this smells like crap, here smell it!" ;)

    No thanks...
    :p
    PapaDave likes this.
  17. Stateguy New Member

    joined: Dec 27, 2012
    24 posts
    One day i will try it At work with all the wood we pick up they make mulch so its all kind of wood.
    I just wanted to make sure i would not ruin the insert
    I will get a small ammount and dry it out and see
  18. eclecticcottage Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 7, 2011
    1,204 posts
    WNY
    I agree. We burned off the junky scraps from cutting (in the firepit) and that's basically what we got.
  19. jdp1152 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 4, 2012
    600 posts
    Massachusetts
    Why not just get the wood and skip the mulch?
    rideau likes this.
  20. Butcher Feeling the Heat

    joined: Nov 2, 2011
    339 posts
    N. central Ia.
    As a lanndscaper I instale 100's of cubic yards a year and we sell 10 times that at the nursery. I use it for fire starter in the outdoor firepit and sometimes in the stove in the hooch but to try to burn it as a dedicated heat soarse would be a no no in my opinion.

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