Replies

1. 
   scotty_t | Apr 19, 2000 04:30am | #1

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   The fire marshall I used to work with used to tell me that burning plywood would lead to chimney fires, as the glue built up on the chimney walls. This was more a problem in metal chimneys, as masonry fireplaces have a larger area and are not as susceptible to build-up. Creates a hell of an air pollution problem also.

2. 
   Duncan_Mahoney | Apr 20, 2000 04:32am | #2

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   I have never heard of the chimney fire problem but it sounds reasonable enough. However, the fumes and smoke from the burning glue are not going to be good to breathe. The enclosed nature of a woodstove solves most of this problem for you, as long as you don't go outside and down wind of the chimney when there's a fire going, but your down wind neighbors might not be too happy. To keep things in perspective though, smoke of any kind is not good to breathe so moderation is probably the answer. I don't think a piece put on the fire once in a while is going to cause big problems but I would not suggest that you fire your stove exclusively, or even frequently, with plywood and OSB. Do you have a catalytic converter on your chimney? If so a call to the mfr. might be in order. It would be a bummer to clog it up by trying to save a few bucks on wood.

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 22, 2000 07:49pm | #3

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   I have lots of small OSB & plywood scraps left over from the construction of a cabin in eastern Arizona. Is it OK to burn these small (generally less than 12" x 12") pieces in the wood stove? I am concerned about the glues/adhesives used in the manufacturing process.

4. 
   Guest_ | Apr 22, 2000 07:49pm | #4

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   I do this frequently with no problem. But I do follow some rules: -No painted, treated or such -Burn hot so everything goes out chimney.

   Now I don't have a catalytic in my stove so I can't speak to that.