will MdF burn ok?

[unknownuser]

I have a lot of scrap I'd like to burn it in the fire pit..is this gonna cause me problems?


(Originally posted by: eplates <[email protected]>)

[bpodruzny]

Re: will MdF burn ok?

Provided Link: wood burning


Toxic, don't do it!!!

[bobblickle]

Re: yep


> Toxic, don't do it!!!

Hmm, not exactly.

Raw MDF is ok to burn but I wouldn't stand around breathing it. It contains the glue that holds it together including formaldehyde (a purported mild carcinogen). Light it, stay out of the smoke cloud, and your exposure will be minimal. Not a big deal.

Laminated MDF, (Melamine or HPL) should probably not be burned without special equipment.

Never burn PVC. Its byproduct is Dioxin, one of the most poisonous substances.

Happy Bonfire,

bb

[Mr.Thomas Aaron Hero]

Re: will MdF burn ok?


> I have a lot of scrap I'd like to burn it in
> the fire pit..is this gonna cause me
> problems?
No, it's fine! BURN IT!!! I heated my old shop one winter with MDF scraps, totaly safe, all the smoke went outside. I burned it in a wood stove.

It's going to decay and release toxins no matter what you do with it, you might as well get rid of it.

[Todd G.]

I agree. Just no plastic or treated wood. *NM*

[unknownuser]

Re: will MdF burn ok?


> It's going to decay and release toxins no
> matter what you do with it, you might as
> well get rid of it.

I dunno. I think it's better for the environment medium term, especially the air we breathe, to just put it in the ground.



(Originally posted by: BFB)

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: will MdF burn ok?


> I dunno. I think it's better for the
> environment medium term, especially the air
> we breathe, to just put it in the ground.

Oh come on. The amount of toxins released by the burning of MDF is miniscule, unless of course you put it in Vas's bong and inhale deeply.

[gowa]

Re: NO! NO! NO! *NM*

[daryl]

Summer is upon us, why not have a BBQ?


Invite the neighbors and their kids over and light you your MDF filled BBQ and grill some dogs, burgers and steaks.

Neighbor:
That flavors not hickory smoke what is that?

You:
That's MDF smoked it's better than hickory, a well kept speakerbuilder BBQ secret.

[Todd G.]

It can't be worse than mesquite. *NM*

[unknownuser]

Are you kidding?


> Oh come on. The amount of toxins released by
> the burning of MDF is miniscule, unless of
> course you put it in Vas's bong and inhale
> deeply.

As an environmental engineer who has done work in both air pollution and solid waste management, I would strongly suggest *not* disposing of anything by burning except natural wood, brush, and paper. Even then, it's not good if there happens to be a high level of fine particulate in the air on that particular day (you can find real-time air quality data on epa.gov and also some state agency web sites).

A backyard burn pit just can't have the proper temperature and combustion air conditions to allow anything to burn cleanly.

In addition to air toxics that are released, just the fine particulate (regardless of the actual composition or chemistry of the fine particulate) have been demonstrated to increase hospitalizations and deaths from heart disease and asthma.

It's really better for things like MDF to go to a landfill or a municipal waste incinerator (which usually have at least decent air quality controls).


(Originally posted by: Jim S.)

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: Are you kidding?


> As an environmental engineer who has done
> work in both air pollution and solid waste
> management, I would strongly suggest *not*
> disposing of anything by burning except
> natural wood, brush, and paper. Even then,
> it's not good if there happens to be a high
> level of fine particulate in the air on that
> particular day (you can find real-time air
> quality data on epa.gov and also some state
> agency web sites).

> A backyard burn pit just can't have the
> proper temperature and combustion air
> conditions to allow anything to burn
> cleanly.

> In addition to air toxics that are released,
> just the fine particulate (regardless of the
> actual composition or chemistry of the fine
> particulate) have been demonstrated to
> increase hospitalizations and deaths from
> heart disease and asthma.

> It's really better for things like MDF to go
> to a landfill or a municipal waste
> incinerator (which usually have at least
> decent air quality controls).

I use MDF scraps to light my fireplace wood during winter.

At most, I may "burn" a third of a sheet of MDF in scraps each year that way. I'm not worried.

[unknownuser]

Re: Are you kidding?


> I use MDF scraps to light my fireplace wood
> during winter.

> At most, I may "burn" a third of a
> sheet of MDF in scraps each year that way.
> I'm not worried.

Well, what you're doing is quite different from what the original poster was asking. Personally, I wouldn't start a fire using MDF scrap, but it's a lot better than burning it for disposal. In your case, there would be a lot more oxygen to support combustion. But still, the products of combustion won't be fully broken down. Also, fireplaces aren't good for preventing combustion byproducts from being released into the room.

Just my 2 cents....

Jim S.




(Originally posted by: Jim S.)

[unknownuser]

Really not a good idea


> Hmm, not exactly.

> Raw MDF is ok to burn but I wouldn't stand
> around breathing it. It contains the glue
> that holds it together including
> formaldehyde (a purported mild carcinogen).
> Light it, stay out of the smoke cloud, and
> your exposure will be minimal. Not a big
> deal.

Well, no. In practice, there's no way to avoid breathing at least some of it. Also, what about the neighbors and the wider community? See my posts below....

> Laminated MDF, (Melamine or HPL) should
> probably not be burned without special
> equipment.

> Never burn PVC. Its byproduct is Dioxin, one
> of the most poisonous substances.

True, plus there are all kinds of other toxics generated.

> Happy Bonfire,

> bb



(Originally posted by: Jim S.)

[unknownuser]

Re: Are you kidding?


If you are talking about a fire pit on a deck or something, you'll be okay njust burning the MDF by itself. I've even burnt wet mdf and other woods by smearing it with liquid nails first then lighting it. It burns like crazy. If your in the yard though you can pour some kerosens on the wood before you light it to help it burn. Don't use gas because it might explode and don't put it on after you light it. Kerosene will help it burn real good though. I used to do construction and we would burn all the scrap wood and vinyl sidding in a hole with kerosene to keep warm.


(Originally posted by: Paul Regan)