What to Burn in a Fireplace to Help Reduce Cresote Buildup

Features

• A fire gives off smoke, gases, ash and other wood particulates. Air carries these contaminants up the chimney. As the particles cool, they settle and stick to the chimney. Over time, fires contribute more particles that build up in creosote layers. When this creosote catches fire, it damages chimneys and can destroy homes. When it accumulates enough to block the chimney, it forces fireplace smoke and fumes back into the house. Serious creosote buildup may cause carbon monoxide poisoning and death.

Firewood

• Burning seasoned hardwood is the best way to reduce creosote buildup. Softwoods such as pine and cedar burn quickly but give off smoke, sparks and other airborne debris. Green or unseasoned woods are high in moisture — up to 50 percent water — which prevents complete combustion. Fires burn cooler due to the moisture, and the cool air allows the fire byproducts to settle quickly in the chimney. Seasoned wood has less moisture so the fire burns hotter and combustion is more complete with less smoke and residue. They yield steady heat so that hot air with few particulates flows up the chimney.

Additives

• Burning mineral or chemical products in fireplaces helps reduce creosote if the chimney is clean. These products contain table salt, sodium chloride, trisodium phosphate (TSP) or other ingredients that combine with the fire’s water vapors. As they flow up the chimney, these compounds form a weak acid that dissolves small creosote deposits. Additives with copper sulfate ingredients coat chimney deposits and allow the deposits to burn away at lower temperatures. Chimney cleaning logs are chemically treated wood component products that burn like logs with the fire. Use care in using chemical additives because they are corrosive and harm metal chimney parts.

Considerations

• Build small to medium seasoned wood hot fires that burn clean instead of slow fires with unseasoned wood that smokes and smolders. Building a large hot fire to burn off the creosote is hazardous. Flames roaring up a creosote-laden chimney cause structure fires and chimney damage. When a fire is cold or hard to start, do not toss in a cup of liquid fuel. Combustibles such as gel fuel, kerosene, gasoline or other fire-starters, although tempting, explode easily, resulting in personal injury and a roaring house fire. Keep a Class ABC fire extinguisher handy for home safety.