Scrap Hardwood Flooring as Fuel?

[mickeydsc71]

I used utility oak flooring in my TD from Lumber Liquidators. Turned out nice, I think ...



As expected I ended up with a fair amount leftover, but mostly the dregs of the lot - split, knotted, crooked - of this pile I just can't see using it for any projects.

I am tempted to use it as firewood. It is unfinished, so as far as I know it hasn't been treated or anything, just dried. Is it safe to use in a campfire? I'm not planning on cooking anything on it. I haven't found much on the internet about using scrap hardwood flooring as fuel. We're camping in a NC State Park, so I want to be sure I'm not going to ruffle any official feathers by lighting it up in the fire ring.

Mike

[tony.latham]

As long as it's solid wood, it safe for a campfire –unfinished hardwood flooring is not treated. It'll be the prettiest fire in the campground, that's for d@mn sure!

How can you cover that floor with a mattress?

TL

[aggie79]

If it is not finished, it makes excellent firewood. I used the leftover scraps from the oak cabinets in my teardrop for a campfire. It will have a lower moisture content than oak firewood so it will burn hotter and faster.

And if you're into smoking/grilling, and like the flavor profile of oak, you can also use it for smoking "chunks.)

[SLUG36]

I have been using untreated scraps of oak,poplar and pine in our little outside fire pit at home.

[Mary C]

Mike you can burn it. Now whether your state parks will say it is ok that is another story. There are some parks that wont allow any open pit fires. You Should check to see if that particular wood is permissible to burn in the state or federal park in which you want to visit. That is a beautiful floor!!!

Mary C.

[Tom Kurth]

Shouldn't be any problem from authorities worried about pest transport since the wood is dried and thus shouldn't be harboring any viable pests. We have ash borers doing great damage here in Missouri and so are restricted about bringing firewood from area to area.

Best,
Tom

[mikeschn]

What they said... you can use it!

Mike...

[mickeydsc71]

As long as it's solid wood, it safe for a campfire –unfinished hardwood flooring is not treated. It'll be the prettiest fire in the campground, that's for d@mn sure!

How can you cover that floor with a mattress?

TL

Hi Tony, I know what you mean. After putting it in I really didn't want to cover it up! My TD has a built-in futon frame that converts to a sofa and it's raised off the floor, so I still get a nice view. Here's a shot of it with my munchkin trying it out ...



Here's the munchkin's bunk up front ...



I appreciate everyone's input, and I'm glad to hear that it should make for a good campfire!

Mike

[mickeydsc71]

If it is not finished, it makes excellent firewood. I used the leftover scraps from the oak cabinets in my teardrop for a campfire. It will have a lower moisture content than oak firewood so it will burn hotter and faster.

And if you're into smoking/grilling, and like the flavor profile of oak, you can also use it for smoking "chunks.)

Hi Tom,

I thought about that too - using it for smoking, but wasn't sure if it was safe. But it was no doubt unfinished, so I may chop up some for that. Camp Chef makes a pizza oven attachment for their Explorer stove, and I read somewhere that some wood chips in a smoker box adds a nice flavor to the pizza.

Going camping this Thanksgiving, and it's supposed to get cold, so a nice hot fire might just be the ticket.

Mike

[GerryS]

I break my hardwood up into kindling......get a good start with it, and the bundles of relatively wet wood you buy starts nicely. I don't see any reason to burn the good dry stuff in quantity unless you've got a good source for the precious resource....

But yes, the kiln dried hardwoods burn incredibly, although slightly fast....and very hot.