Painted Wood as Kindling

hillbilly rick · Jan 13, 2012

Does anyone think there is an issue using painted wood as kindling? I have an old wood garage door that would make great kindling, but I do not know if there are any issues burning it because it is painted. I have no idea what kind of wood it is made of. It would make a bunch of kindling if there are no issues.

ruren · Jan 13, 2012

Biggest concern with old paint is if it is lead based paint. Burning lead painted wood makes lead fumes in smoke and ash with lead in it, neither of which is good to be around. I would vote against it.

Deere Dude · Jan 13, 2012

I would think as long as it's in a closed fireplace or stove and you just use a handful or two of fire starter to get the big stuff going it would be fine. I usually take small chunks like 1" square and 3-4 " long and put them in a 5 gallon bucket and then pour diesel fuel over them to dampen them. Whenever I want a fire I will take 4 or 5 pieces as starter for the fire and I have a good flame in a minute or two. Maybe the paint will help burn faster.

Pete Judd · Jan 13, 2012

I second Rurun. Lead is persistent, and will contaminate your ground from the ashes forever. If no lead in the paint, and oil based enamel, the fumes could be toxic. If latex, might not be to bad.

Just my 2 cents.

crash325 · Jan 13, 2012

Use it. The amount of lead that "May Be" present is miniscule. You could put in your morning coffee with no ill effects.

Lead & Asbestos problems are so over blown. I did brakes for years when the linings were asbestos based. As a jeweler casting plaster had asbestos in it. Used asbestos gloves to pick up hot flasks, wore out many pair of them.

As a kid repainted our house several times. Restored several old structures, all painted with lead based paint.

Some how I have survived over 72 years with out lung cancer and my brain still works.

Sutol · Jan 13, 2012

hillbilly rick said:
Does anyone think there is an issue using painted wood as kindling? I have an old wood garage door that would make great kindling, but I do not know if there are any issues burning it because it is painted. I have no idea what kind of wood it is made of. It would make a bunch of kindling if there are no issues.

Split it, set fire to it...job done

unless you are a heath and safety rep that is then dont tell anybody:laughing:

Tollster · Jan 13, 2012

I wouldnot hesitate to use it in the wood stove, I think I have been exposed to far worse stuff in my years....gas fumes, oil with no gloves, I would rate the paint right up there with these items... Ohhh I have a third liver for processing chemicals..

hillbilly rick · Jan 19, 2012

Thanks everyone. I do have a wood stove, so I'm not worried about fumes in the house. I was just not sure if paint would create any extra chimney buildup.

I hear your lead concerns. To be honest, if I don't burn it in the fireplace, I would burn it outside. Allied Waste does not take anything this large, and my only other option is to haul it 20 miles away to the dump and pay to dump it there. My extension agent told me not to add ashes to the garden, so no lead ashes will make it into the food stream. He said that ashes are bad for the garden.

seymojo536 · Jan 19, 2012

Hey Hill Bill,

I would love to know why your ext. agent thinks wood ash is bad for the garden. Was this before he said you need to lime it?

jmurray01 · Jan 19, 2012

crash325 said:
Use it. The amount of lead that "May Be" present is miniscule. You could put in your morning coffee with no ill effects.

Lead & Asbestos problems are so over blown. I did brakes for years when the linings were asbestos based. As a jeweler casting plaster had asbestos in it. Used asbestos gloves to pick up hot flasks, wore out many pair of them.

As a kid repainted our house several times. Restored several old structures, all painted with lead based paint.

Some how I have survived over 72 years with out lung cancer and my brain still works.

So you're not the one on a horse being ridden by a dog then ? :laughing: