How to Burn Dead Pine in a Fireplace

For a fast fire, such as that at a campfire, fireplace or kitchen wood stove, pine can be very useful because it catches easily and burns quickly. Because it is a softwood and full of sap, however, even dry pine can cause creosote buildup in a chimney. It is important to burn only dry pine. If possible, couple the pine with other hardwood species, such as maple or birch, to reduce the amount of creosote buildup in a chimney. A fire that is started with pine and then maintained with maple, for example, will cause less creosote in the chimney than one that solely comprises pine.

Instructions

- 1
  Cut your pine wood to lengths that will fit inside your fireplace.
- 2
  Split the logs if they are too large to burn. A log less than 12 inches in diameter should burn well.
- 3
  Make sure your chimney is clean. Pine wood burns hot, but quick, and the amount of sap leftover even in a very dry log can create creosote in a chimney. A clean chimney can accomodate this buildup better than a chimney already caked with creosote. Creosote is the black, tarry substance on the inside of the chimney. If it ignites, it can cause a chimney fire.
- 4
  Open your flue. A flue that is dampered down can cause a lot more smoke than a flue that is open.
- 5
  Start your fire using kindling and newspaper or other tinder and add your pine logs gradually as the fire builds.

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