BoCo

I got a bunch of firewood from a buddy but it was still a little on the green side (only a few months old). Is there anything I can put on it that will force it to burn thoroughly instead of going out after only being halfway burned?

Please, no suggestions like gasoline or babies. I want serious suggestions.

Thanks!

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the_marq

First make sure there is plenty of airflow around the wood. Use some kind of a frame so the wood isn't sitting right on the floor of the Fireplace. Also make sure that the wood is chopped up quite small, nothing should be bigger around than your wrist; especially if it is wet.

If none of that works, try tossing in a few gasoline-soaked babies.

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#3 in a series

ShaniFaye

what kind of wood is it? IE is it pine or hardwood or what?

if its pine....you do NOT want to burn it now....it needs to cure at least a year before you do it

if its hardwood....like the marq said make sure to use small pieces....also burn with a "fire log" that you can buy just about anywhere...we use one regardless of what kind of wood we use....that way there is always "fire" when you want to throw another log on....its hard to start green wood

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cyrnel

Nothing can be done other than splitting to smaller sizes. It won't burn efficiently or produce useful heat until you approach 20% moisture content which means 6mo or more in open stacks. A year for oak or other dense hardwoods. Best not to use it until seasoned.

Also, the high moisture content is what creates creosote buildup and leads to flue fires. You don't want one of those.

Bill O'Rights

Heed that advice. Or else somethings gonna burn, and it ain't the logs. Lottsa chimney fires start from burning green pine.

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splck

Like the_marq said, split the wood into small pieces. If you have some dry wood, use that to get the fire going and once you have a bit of coals start introducing some of the damp wood. Once the fire is hot enough you should be able to burn almost anything.
You should stand your split-damp-wood up near the fire so that the wood will start to dry.
For a good fire starter, roll a 3-4 inch strip of newspaper then tie it and soak it in molten wax. One or two of these in a wimpy fire will get it nice and hot in no time.

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BoCo

Yeah, I've been using those fake logs to get the fires going, but I was wondering if there was something liquid that was meant for helping them burn better.

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cyrnel

BoCo, there isn't a good solution for green wood in a fireplace. You can use an accelerant or better wood, and as mentioned, stack with enough room for air to circulate. Best is to blend into an active fire that has enough heat to take on the added moisture.

If it smolders you'll get creosote. If the accelerant is too hot it'll damage the firebox. Trust me, we repair several fireplaces a year from students burning pallets, and clean out the flues where people took down the tree in their back yard to use for winter heat.

dman2

Let it dry out until next year. Go to your local hardware store to get a few logs of dry wood for this year or use the fake logs that others have mentioned. They are somewhat expensive, but work fine.

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outdoor

at least get some dry wood going, then add the wet stuff slowly. If you already have a hot fire it will dry the new out pretty quick.

Faygo

You shouldn't burn pine in your fireplace period. It creates creasol which causes chimney fires.

Sounds like your not getting the fire going good enough to dry the logs out. Make sure you get a nice hot coal base before going with the wet wood.

GraveTaker

try mixing that would with some dry would that will burn and by the time the dry wood is finished, the should've burned through the other....

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viejo gringo

years ago, when I lived up in Illinois...I saved all of my cardboard
and ran it thru the band saw in one inch wide pieces...it makes excellent fire starter and will make that green wood burn a little better...just seperate it so it gets lots of air..

wondash

It's not worth the effort. Let it dry out for a season.

sanjuanworm

if this is a fireplace, get a woodstove insert..... then you can burn green wood.

LLL2

Like some people said already,you got to make the fire hot with dry wood or firelog ,then throw the green logs on top.

Brewmaniac

Go to a local fire place shop one that has all the accessories and pick up a Cast Iron Ceramic Fire Starter, they sell the fuel, which is lamp oil(kerosene works well to). You lite it and slide this under your grate and it will lite almost anything. Follow all those good tips above and remember air flow is the key. Enjoy!

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pattycakes

you need to use dry wood no matter wha, if you want to use some green wood you must mix it in or it will just burn out.

I wishg i had a fireplace where i could put logs in it :-D

clavus

A little extra advice - split it now, while it is green.

PEOPLE, LISTEN UP! Don't be tempted to toss a little liquid accelerant on a smoldering fire. I know a guy who tried tossing a dixie cup full of gasoline on a smoldering fire in his fireplace. The fire blew up at him and burned the shit out of him. While he was in the hospital, recovering from massive burns, he picked up some sort of horrible infection that damaged his nerves. He is in a wheelchair and will remain so for life.

How's THAT for a frickin' buzzkill?

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Undercover_Man

Logs? That is SO last century. And the century before that and before that and all the way til cavemen discovered that fire and wood keeps you warm for a long time. Go gas. Save lots of money that way. No more messy logs. No more expensive wood. No more getting out in the freezing cold to get the logs and chop them up if they aren't small enuff. No more hassle. Gas is great.

- Undercover_Man