Can you burn pressure treated wood in a fire pit. These chemicals help to reduce rot wood eating insects and weathering. Yes the materials used in pressure treating lumber are toxic even the newer non arsenic type. Be careful though that you dont throw pressure treated wood on the fire. Never throw pressure treated wood on the fire in your fireplace or in your fire pit outdoors.
Burning treated wood concentrates and releases these preservative chemicals in the ash and smoke of a fire which can pose both health and environmental risks. But are they released in smoke through burning or do they remain in the ash. When used in the construction of a home or building lumber is often treated with harsh chemicals like arsenic and chromate making it resistant to pests and fungi. The small scraps of lumber that seem to collect and multiply under back porches and in garages often make their way into wood stoves and fireplaces in the winter months.
Toxic chemicals will be emitted in the smoke and ashes from treated wood can be hazardous to livestock or wildlife. Pressure treated wood is a big no no for fire pits. You may already know not to burn trash like coated painted or pressure treated wood. While burning pressure treated wood probably wont cause immediate harm its not a good idea.
If you have some old furniture made of pressure treated wood lying around your home that you want to get rid of for example you may assume that its okay to burn it in your backyard. Doing so can release toxic or harmful chemicals into the air according to the environmental protection agency. Chips sawdust and debris from treated wood are considered hazardous waste and should not be burned or disposed of at any location other than those specified by local government agencies. Never burn treated wood.
Pressure treated wood contains wood preservatives which are pesticides that are used to extend the product life of wood. Burning pressure treated wood in your fireplace or even outside in your fire pit can release toxic chemicals that are. And as long as it is dry any species of wood will burn well. But id like to find out.
Let this article be your ultimate guide so you can better handle treated wood with safety and environmental concern. Dont burn treated wood.