I have a stack of old oak fence boards. They were painted with creosote 30 years ago. I would like to burn them a few at a time in my wood stove. Do you think there would be a problem with that. I have the chimney cleaned regularly each year.
I believe creosote is a carcinogen which is why it was taken off the market. Only with special use permits can you get that stuff. I wouldn’t even attempt to burn them even though it was 30 yrs ago they were stained. Why even consider taking a chance?:eek:
Bad plan- in addition to the above, which is dead on, the creosote will line your flue, and create a possible fire hazard.
creosote is a definite fire hazard
If the boards were just painted with the creosote, can it be removed with something like a woodworking planer?
Creosote is the worst thing to burn in the fireplace, because of the tar on it, and it is a carcinogen. Because it’s so nasty, the chimney will get lined very quickly with flammable material, and could easily cause a chimney fire. Outside burning would leave toxic smoke, and like 99% of outside fires, the smoke will follow the person minding the burn pile around even upwind (it’s a law of burning, and makes no sense, but it happens).
Oh God no, don’t do that!!!
Do not burn those boards in your house. Depending on where you live there may also be restrictions on outdoor burning of them. 
[QUOTE=csaper58;7813637]
If the boards were just painted with the creosote, can it be removed with something like a woodworking planer?[/QUOTE]
No, as it is not a surface application even in paint the creosote penetrates into the wood’s fibers
But even it were just a paint on the surface, you would need a respirator and then collect the shaving for disposal.
Completely as a side note yesterday I was at a equine Hydrotherapy farm/center in north Texas which was a nicely outfitted operation… I did notice the complete barn was lined/walled with resawn utility poles which had been treated with creosote …
your county may have info on-line as to where you can take biohazardous items for disposal
out local city has 2 days a year where you can bring such items for free or nominal disposal
you might also try Craigs list or Freecycle to move them on
[QUOTE=SLW;7813687]
Do not burn those boards in your house. Depending on where you live there may also be restrictions on outdoor burning of them. :([/QUOTE]
This is the truth, even burning them outside is a VERY BAD idea, spreading the carcinogens thru the air to other folks. Just like burning pressure treated wood is a BAD IDEA.
Sorry, unless you want to cut the wood into small pieces, put them in your trash, you pay someone to haul them away to the dump. Not burnable at all, might get you a citation, like burning rubber tires will. Smoke from creosote will give you away, black and dense, likely have a visit (and bill) from the local Fire Department, when someone calls in on the smoke.
[QUOTE=SLW;7813687]
Do not burn those boards in your house. Depending on where you live there may also be restrictions on outdoor burning of them. :([/QUOTE]
You don’t want to inhale anything like this! Don’t burn inside or outside! Don’t chip or compost, either. They should probably go to a landfill site.
[QUOTE=Cat Tap;7813408]
I have the chimney cleaned regularly each year.[/QUOTE] I know you’ve gotten plenty of 'heck no!'s here, but I just wanted to add that creosote – in addition to being the gummy crud we used to paint on fences – is also a byproduct of burning wood. It sticks to the inside of chimneys and can combust . . . so it’s the reason we all get our chimneys cleaned. Sure, it’s a carcinogen, but, a house fire is a much more immediate problem.
Thanks everyone you have convinced me. I have a fence repair group coming perhaps they can get rid of them for me.
I’ll disagree with most of the above. Creosote is merely wood tar. Burning it well depends on the fire conditions. An newer wood stove that burns with secondary air will completely burn the creosote.
A critical point. you said creosote. This doesn’t apply to the various arsenic and another wood preservatives.
The electric company was doing some work replacing poles and offered to give me the old ones. I got about 6 old phone poles. I had to sign a release stating that I would NOT ever burn them anywhere.
EPA recommendations. burning is not all about the chimney ( though that is a risk) the air quality is also an issue.
landfill transfer station, Freecycle/Craigs list
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
[INDENT]• Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash collection or burial.
• Do not burn wood in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes.
• Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood.
[/INDENT]
