What Happens if I Burn Plastic in My Wood Stove?

Harmful Fumes

• Many types of plastic contain a substance that will release a harmful poisonous gas, namely dioxin, when they are burnt or melted. PVC is one of the most common types of plastic that will also release dioxin. Dioxin contains molecules of chlorine that will spread into your lungs when it is heated at high temperatures, such as those inside your wood burning stove. Dioxin can be deadly.

Safety Procedures

• Prevent the harmful and potentially fatal effects of dioxin by immediately extinguishing the fire to prevent more of the gas from getting into your home. Then, quickly open the windows and doors to air out the room. Dioxin is generally only fatal if you are in a room that has a lot of the gas and that isn’t properly ventilated.

Chipping Off Burnt Plastic

• Letting the area cool completely before you attempt to remove the burnt plastic will help prevent skin burns and can actually speed up the process. Depending on how porous and textured the surface of your wood stove is, you may be able to simply chip the plastic off with a paint scraper.

Dissolving Burnt Plastic

• Dissolve the burnt plastic if you aren’t able to completely chip it off. To do this, soak a clean cloth in acetone and lay it over the plastic. Immediately cover the cloth with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Let it sit for several hours before removing it and chipping off the now-loosened plastic.