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Can Pine Cones Be Burned in Wood Stoves?

Misty Amber Brighton

Pine cones make warm pops and crackles when burned, helping create a warm, cozy atmosphere. Burning these in your wood stove can be a safe and inexpensive way to help get a fire going.

Pine cones can help get a fire started.

Kindling

Use pine cones along with kindling to help get a wood fire started. They light easily and fit nicely underneath a stack of firewood. It is not a good idea to use them in place of wood as they tend to burn quickly, which means you would need to constantly stoke your wood stove.

Fire Starters

Create fire starters for your wood stove from pine cones and wax. Melt paraffin, scraps of old candles or crayons in a double boiler until they are runny. Use a pair of tongs to dip a pine cone into the liquid. Remove and let dry. Place in your wood stove and light with a match.

Safety

Pine cones do not produce much smoke when placed in a wood stove. They may spark occasionally, but do not often throw them. Most types of pine cones do not have an offensive smell when burned. The pine cones you choose must not contain sap, as this could cause creosote to build up in your chimney.