How to Burn Cherry Pits

The waste products of one of summer's most prolific fruit, cherries, is an effective and economical heating source for those who are looking for an earth-friendly source of heat. The pits of the cherry fruit are often a by-product of companies who mass produce cherry products like pie fillings, preserves or frozen fruit.

Though cherry pits cost on average less than wood, they also produce over 10% more heat than wood or corn pellets while also leaving less ash than traditional burning material. For those who own a wood stove, using cherry pits to heat your home is an economical and effective option.

Things You'll Need

• 5 pounds of cherry pits
• 1 sheet of newspaper
• 1 match
• wood stove

Instructions

1. Clear the wood stove of all ashes or leftover burnt wood.

2. Twist a page of newspaper into a long "rope" and place inside the wood stove.

3. Pile the cherry pits over the newspaper, leaving an edge of the newspaper exposed.

4. Strike a match close to the paper and light the corner of the newspaper.

5. Light the corner of the newspaper and let the fire spread to the rest of the paper. The pits will light and produce a fire that makes very little ash.

Tips & Warnings

• Have another piece of twisted paper ready just in case your first "twist" does not light your cherry pits.

• Keep matches away from children.

• Supervise any child under 18 while lighting a fire in a wood stove.

References

• Michigan Cherry Pits
• Dulley, Earth Friendly Biomass

Resources

• Source for a cherry pit burner