10 Things You Shouldn’t Burn (Even If It’s Dry)
Just because something’s dry doesn’t mean it belongs in the fire. Some things give off nasty fumes, burn way too fast, or leave behind a mess that’s not worth it. And while it might be tempting to toss whatever’s lying around into the fire pit or wood stove, the wrong choice can wreck your setup—or run everyone out of the room from the smell alone.
These are the things I won’t burn, no matter how dry they are.
Plywood
Even if it’s bone dry, plywood is full of glue and binding agents that turn toxic once burned. You’ll smell the chemicals immediately, and the smoke’s rough on your throat. It also coats everything in your stove or pit with sticky residue.
MDF and Particleboard
These break down into ash fast but give off formaldehyde and other chemicals in the process. It might feel like you’re repurposing scraps, but you’re really just gassing up your house with fumes no one should be breathing.
Painted Wood
Old painted boards might seem harmless, but the smoke from burning paint—especially older oil-based or lead-based kinds—can be straight-up dangerous. If you don’t know what kind of paint it is, don’t risk it.
Driftwood
Even when dry, driftwood from oceans or salty areas gives off toxic chlorine when it burns. It’s also unpredictable and tends to pop and spark like crazy. Save it for decoration, not the fire.
Trash
It’s dry, sure—but burning it just sends plastic particles, chemicals, and soot into the air. Even paper trash can be full of ink and coatings that don’t burn clean. Just toss it in the bin.
Treated Lumber
Pressure-treated wood is one of the worst things to burn. It’s loaded with preservatives, pesticides, and other additives that turn into nasty smoke. The fumes are bad for your lungs and coat your flue in garbage.
Dry Pine Needles
They burn fast and smell fine—but they’re a fire hazard more than a heat source. Toss a handful in and you’ve got sparks everywhere and barely any burn time to show for it.
Cardboard
It seems innocent enough, but those Amazon boxes are coated in glue, ink, and sometimes even plastic. The smoke’s sharp, and it’ll leave a mess in your pit or stove. There are better ways to start a fire.
Glossy Magazines or Mail
Even though they burn quick, they’re basically colored chemicals on thin paper. The smell is weird, and the ash goes airborne fast. It’s not worth the cleanup—or the headache.
Moldy Wood
It’s dry on the outside, but that mold makes it smell awful when it burns. You’ll notice it right away, and the blackened smoke can irritate your eyes and lungs. If it’s sat out too long uncovered, toss it—not in the fire.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
