Can you burn rotted wood in a fire pit?

Technically, you can burn rotten firewood, but it isn't ideal. Rotten firewood doesn't burn nearly as hot as less decayed wood, and it also has the potential to be wet which makes it harder to light in the first place.

campfireboss.com - Rotten Firewood and What to do With it at Your Campfire

Can you put a toilet and shower in a garage?

Adding a bathroom to a garage makes perfect sense for the house with a spacious garage layout. While the project can run in the thousands of...

Last updated Apr 6, 2022

Can you put wood directly on concrete?

If you have a concrete slab main floor or basement, you may be wondering if it's possible to install hardwood flooring directly on top of the...

Last updated Feb 17, 2021

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

Anyone who has many campfires has come across a rotten piece of firewood, or many! The question is, do you keep that rotten firewood and throw it in the fire ring, or do you chuck it in the woods?

Technically, you can burn rotten firewood, but it isn’t ideal. Rotten firewood doesn’t burn nearly as hot as less decayed wood, and it also has the potential to be wet which makes it harder to light in the first place. Also, if people around your fire are sensitive to fungal spores, there could be cause for concern if burning moldy wood.

How rotten firewood burns

Rotten firewood is simply wood where more of the material has decomposed away, so naturally, if there is less material there, it is less dense. There is just less “stuff” in rotten firewood. So, with less material, rotten firewood will not burn as long on a campfire or as hot as firewood that is much less decomposed. Also, many times the wood has become rotten in the first place because it has been exposed to too much moisture. With a higher moisture content than dry and less decayed wood, it will also not burn as readily as firewood that is fresher.

What the professionals think about rotten firewood

To find answers about using rotten firewood from people who literally sell firewood for a living, I checked with the loggers of the YouTube channel, That Chipper Guy to get their take.

They don’t sell it and they don’t mess with it.

When loggers from That Chipper Guy come across rotten wood they will not process it into firewood for the exact reasons listed above, it doesn’t burn well, and they added that if someone were to use their product in a fireplace, no one wants to bring rotten wood into their home.

Get their take on rotten firewood in the video below:

Health implications of burning moldy firewood at your campfire

One thing that is worth mentioning is that there could be health implications for burning moldy firewood. The journal Atmospheric Environment published a study in 2003 that looked at how mold spores behave on biomass when burned.

Should I put Tyvek in a shed?

According to experts, house wrap isn't actually necessary for sheds but if you want to protect its interior and contents from the heat, cold, dust...

Last updated Feb 13, 2021

Should you paint the inside of a shed?

Painting the interior of a shed with white interior paint job is a good idea. It seals the wood, helps prevent mildew and insect damage, it...

Last updated Sep 2, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

What they discovered was that, not only can bacteria and mold spores travel thousands of miles in the air, but more importantly to our topic, mold spores and bacteria from burned biomass, such as firewood, can definitely remain viable, or alive, during and after the burn. (Mims, 2003) Know that all biomass has mold on it, including fresh firewood, but obviously a moldy log is going to contain many more mold spores than a fresh one. When you burn that wood, the mold spores will remain viable and travel outward with the smoke.

What that means for us is two things:

You should never burn moldy firewood indoors and it will pollute your air with viable and respiratory-irritating mold, and If someone near your campfire has respiratory problems or is highly allergic to mold, you shouldn’t burn that rotten firewood.

* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Love cooking outdoors? This heavy-duty, stainless-steel adjustable cooking grate from Titan Great Outdoors may be something you need to add to your tool kit! Mine is wonderful and has an incredibly sturdy feel. Because it’s adjustable, you’ll be less likely to end up with charred food, and the drip tray for grease keeps flare-ups to a minimum. Take a look here!

So can you burn rotten firewood or not?

The fact of the matter is, many people use rotten firewood any time they have it and don’t think twice about it. It WILL burn, you just have to know what you are dealing with and make sure it is smart for your situation. If you are just having a fun campfire and don’t really care about how much BTUs it puts out, burn away. But, never use rotten firewood when starting a fire and never add it to a small campfire as the lower density and higher moisture content will make your life, and your burn, more difficult. If you are going to use rotten firewood, only add it to a fire that is already roaring and mix it up with firewood that is more fresh so it doesn’t kill your fire.

What kills mold better than vinegar?

Pour 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the moldy area with the baking soda mixture and use a...

Last updated May 27, 2019

Do metal roofs require maintenance?

Yes, metal roofs need annual maintenance to perform and look their best. Consider these benefits of caring for your metal roof: Prevent costly...

Last updated Jun 22, 2021

Promotion

Also, make sure no one at your campfire has respiratory problems or mold allergies, and if they do, toss it!

What to do with rotten firewood that you don’t burn

So you obviously have some rotten firewood on your hands, and if you aren’t going to burn it, what do you do with it?

If you own land, you can lay it out of the way somewhere to finish rotting, or lay it by your compost pile. Otherwise, dispose of it in the local habitat from which it came. You shouldn’t be transporting firewood far to begin with, as you could disrupt the ecosystem with bugs and disease brought in with the wood, and you should also not dispose of it outside of its natural ecosystem. If it’s local, just toss it in the woods (not on a trail, obviously) to finish decomposing. Done! If that isn’t an option, follow your city’s local guidelines for how you would dispose of tree limbs.

Thanks for reading, and have fun at your next campfire!

* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Obviously we love outdoor fire fun at Campfireboss.com, but we also love high-quality products that won’t fall apart in one season. Titan Great Outdoors makes things that last, including this Corten steel smokeless wood fire pit. Plus, I love the look of the natural patina. You can have one shipped right to your door here! Mims, S. A., & Mims, F. M. (2004). Fungal spores are transported long distances in smoke from biomass fires. Atmospheric Environment, 38(5), 651-655. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2003.10.043

campfireboss.com - Rotten Firewood and What to do With it at Your Campfire

Why is my shed Mouldy inside?

If the outside temperature drops, any moisture inside the shed will cause condensation on the inside of the shed panels, roof, floor and possibly...

Last updated Sep 24, 2018

Who qualifies for home energy grant?

To be eligible for the scheme, households must: have a net income of less than £20,000 per year after tax, National Insurance, mortgage or rent...

Last updated Oct 20, 2019

Promotion

What is the minimum depth for cable laying below ground?

The minimum depth for cable laying below the ground varies according to the voltage capacity of the cable. The depth should be atleast 0.9m for...

Last updated Jan 13, 2018

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Which is cheaper pole barn vs Barndominium?

Second, consider your budget. Since barndominiums are more expensive to build than a pole barn, think about building a pole barn if your budget...

Last updated Oct 31, 2020