Will burning cedar distroy my metal chimney?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
Status
Not open for further replies.

Beno

Member
Hearth Supporter
Feb 26, 2007
175
Hi there,

I live near Ottawa, Canada. After clearing the lot to build our (ICF) house (heating with Caddy wood/electric furnace) I ended up with lots of cedar to dry and burn. I was told though by a neighbour not to burn cedar, or it will distroy my stainless steel chimney. He said that the resin from the cedar will make in few years holes in the chimney.

Is this correct? I hope not.

Thanks,
Beno
 
Hi -

Sounds very fishy to me. I burn every bit I can get. In a modern stove, with a stainless liner most of us get little or no creosote build.... No 'resins' condense because they are burned. I clean the chimney in the spring and that's it.

Enjoy,
Mike
 
A lot of cedar gets burned out here in BC. Never heard that one before.

Surprised that 'the don't burn Pine' people haven't quoted that one.
 
I burn cedar whenever I can get it! I usually split it up small and use it to start my fires. If you have a properly installed woodstove, you should be just fine. Good luck and enjoy the nice smell!
 
Most folks just put cedar and pine in the same class and say you shouldn't burn it. Hogwash. Just make sure it is dry.
 
This is the first time I've heard this one . . . if true I think someone should tell all those folks who have been burning cedar kindling since time began. ;)
 
Bigg_Redd said:
Pine causes chimney fires, and infertility.

Heart attacks and the tires on your vehicle to go flat. Not too mention what it does to your hair line....we won't even go there.
 
I thought my receding hairline was due to keeping my head too close to an open flame. Shows what I know.

Yes burning cedar will in fact hurt your chimney. Best to palletize it all and ship it to my house where it can be disposed of in an evironmentally safe manner...cedar is like PCB-saturated fill mixed with heavy concentrations of radon in a manure wagon being pulled by a team of frightened skunks on a hot day.
 
I sure hope not. I've burned many cords of western red cedar in my stove. It burns great and is actually a reasonably high btu wood for a softwood. I had no problems with resins or tar in my chimney or on my stove's glass. If I needed kindling I saved the super striaght clear chunks and diced them up into little pieces. I store kindling in the house in a huge metal hoop device and a full hoop of fresh cut cedar makes the house smell really nice for quite some time.

I have a pile of red cedar rounds outside right now waiting to be split. I am mixing it in with douglas fir for a combo effect.
 
The "frightened skunks on a hot day" will by itself melt your stainless steel chimney.
 
Beno said:
I was told though by a neighbour not to burn cedar, or it will distroy my stainless steel chimney.
Your neighbor is thinking of nuclear waste. You shouldn't burn nuclear waste, or it will destroy your stainless steel chimney.

People get those two mixed up all the time.
 
I have heard that it causes an increase in your waist size.
Send it all my way and I will get rid of it for you.
 
I heard it's especially helpful for erectile dysfunction.
 
Highbeam said:
I have a pile of red cedar rounds outside right now waiting to be split. I am mixing it in with douglas fir for a combo effect.

"Most creosote in Washington Sate?" :lol:
 
Is your neighbour looking for some free wood, by chance?
He must have kept his face straight the whole time he was talking to you, but he's probably laughing while telling his buddies about this on the back nine.
Don't keep the draft open too long. I only use cedar for kindling. It makes for a quick hot fire.
Happy burning.
 
I wouldn't burn it - That cedar is probably contains dihydrogen monoxide which can cause all sorts of problems... [snicker]

http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html

Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:


* Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
* Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
* Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
* DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
* Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
* Contributes to soil erosion.
* Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
* Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
* Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
* Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
* Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.
* Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
* Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
 
pinewoodburner said:
I have heard that it causes an increase in your waist size.
Send it all my way and I will get rid of it for you.

I've never burned cedar so I wonder what has increased my waist size?
 
wendell said:
pinewoodburner said:
I have heard that it causes an increase in your waist size.
Send it all my way and I will get rid of it for you.

I've never burned cedar so I wonder what has increased my waist size?

Pine. And maybe the beer. But mostly the pine.
 
wendell said:
I've never burned cedar so I wonder what has increased my waist size?

Two words. Roxbury Tavern.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.