Burning tanalised timber

[blackrose]

This winter I decided to try to save some money as I have access to big sacks of wood offcuts for a pound each, so I'm burning this instead of coal. So far this autumn I've only spent about a tenner.

 

But there's usually quite a lot of tanalised timber in amongst the offcuts and I've found it doesn't burn as well - the fire needs to be much hotter to burn it so it's no good as kindling.

 

Are my empirical observations actually borne out by the facts, or am I just imagining it? No doubt someone will tell me that the chemicals in the wood are giving me cancer!

Edited October 19, 2015 by blackrose

[Southern Star]

Personally, I wouldn't burn tanalised timber.

 

"Tanalised" is a bit of a general term, and can refer to different treatment processes, but I can't see how it can ever be better for you, your stove, your flue or the environment than burning seasoned, untreated timber. As much as anything else, the whole point of tanalising is to prevent wood from seasoning.

[rasputin]

Arse Nick

[Jerra]

As much as anything else, the whole point of tanalising is to prevent wood from seasoning.

I thought tanalising was to preserve the timber and delay rotting. Surely seasoning is merely drying out the timber. Have I been wrong all these years.

[Murflynn]

quote from https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.rec.gardening/sexa7FIsOs4

 

Tanalising uses a substance called CCA which is Copper , Chromium and
Arsenic.
This is fine in dry conditions, but in the wet the chemicals can leach out,
and
the arsenic can be transferred to the hands simply from touching the timber.
Children in particular are prone to use their hands for eating without
washing
them first, and can get arsenic poisoning as a result. Food plants grown
near
to tanalised decking can accumulate sufficient chromium to cause the
symptoms
of heavy metal poisoning in anyone eating the produce.

An example is cited of a family in the antipodes who used offcuts of
tanalised
timber on their barbecue, the cooked meat killed their dog and resulted in
prolonged hospitalisation of the entire family.

[Southern Star]

I thought tanalising was to preserve the timber and delay rotting. Surely seasoning is merely drying out the timber. Have I been wrong all these years.

With wood, seasoning and rotting are two words which describe the same thing. I personally wouldn't burn chemically treated timber, if other folks would then good luck and may the Lord's blessing go with them.

[tree monkey]

I thought tanalising was to preserve the timber and delay rotting. Surely seasoning is merely drying out the timber. Have I been wrong all these years.

Your correct

With wood, seasoning and rotting are two words which describe the same thing. I personally wouldn't burn chemically treated timber, if other folks would then good luck and may the Lord's blessing go with them.

Seasoning and rotting are completely different things, seasoning if done correctly suspends the rotting/decay process

[Southern Star]

Up to you. Like I said, I wouldn't personally burn chemically treated timber.

[Jerra]

With wood, seasoning and rotting are two words which describe the same thing. I personally wouldn't burn chemically treated timber, if other folks would then good luck and may the Lord's blessing go with them.

Sorry but I can't see that. My mate who is a cabinet maker seasons his wood before use but he certainly doesn't use rotted wood. The occasional piece of spalted wood but certainly no rotted.

 

Timber being seasoned is protected from the elements which would cause rotting (lifted off the ground , well ventilated so non of it stays damp too long in better air seasoning there is often a roof as well etc).

[Southern Star]

 

 

Timber being seasoned is protected from the elements

Look up the etymology of the word "seasoned", and compare it to the etymology of the word "season", then add two and two together.

[tree monkey]

Sorry but I can't see that. My mate who is a cabinet maker seasons his wood before use but he certainly doesn't use rotted wood. The occasional piece of spalted wood but certainly no rotted.

 

Timber being seasoned is protected from the elements which would cause rotting (lifted off the ground , well ventilated so non of it stays damp too long in better air seasoning there is often a roof as well etc).

Yup if rotting was the same as seasoning houses wouldn't last very long.

 

I wouldn't burn tantalised timber though the chemicals are nasty

Look up the etymology of the word "seasoned", and compare it to the etymology of the word "season", then add two and two together.

Rotting and seasoning are not the same thing

[Jerra]

Yup if rotting was the same as seasoning houses wouldn't last very long.

 

I wouldn't burn tantalised timber though the chemicals are nasty

Thank you TM I was beginning to wonder if I had been wrong all my life.

[tree monkey]

Thank you TM I was beginning to wonder if I had been wrong all my life.

Funnily enough spalted timber is wood infected by fungi (rotting) in which the decay process has been halted by seasoning

it's beautiful though

[Jerra]

Funnily enough spalted timber is wood infected by fungi (rotting) in which the decay process has been halted by seasoning

it's beautiful though

I am aware of that hence the fact I did mention it. All wood grain is beautiful.

[Southern Star]

 

I wouldn't burn tantalised timber though the chemicals are nasty

 

So we finally agree.

[Flyboy]

This winter I decided to try to save some money as I have access to big sacks of wood offcuts for a pound each, so I'm burning this instead of coal. So far this autumn I've only spent about a tenner.

 

But there's usually quite a lot of tanalised timber in amongst the offcuts and I've found it doesn't burn as well - the fire needs to be much hotter to burn it so it's no good as kindling.

 

Are my empirical observations actually borne out by the facts, or am I just imagining it? No doubt someone will tell me that the chemicals in the wood are giving me cancer!

The burning of tanalised timber will release carcinogenic agents. Very bad for your health & others that breath the smoke. My advice to you is don't do it.

http://www.recycledplasticbuildingmaterials.co.uk/warnings-concerning-tanalised-wood-timber.html

Edited October 20, 2015 by Flyboy

[blackrose]

Lots of other views on the internet too:

 

"Tanalised" is a bit of a generic term. The old CCA treatments did contain arsenic (Copper/Chromium/Arsenic) but not been used for many years so unlikely that any new product or offcut therefrom would have these metals. The green tinted stuff is TanalithE which does contain copper but neither of the other two. Tanalith Clear aka Tanalithm has no heavy metal content.

_________________________

 

Tanalith 'E' no longer contains arsenic, but does contain Copper and organic bio degradeable biocides. Not a good idea to burn on an open fire, but safer on a closed woodburner.

__________________________

 

Perhaps I'll rummage through in future and avoid the tanalised stuff.

Edited October 20, 2015 by blackrose

[tree monkey]

So we finally agree.

Your still wrong about the rotting seasoning thing though

[tree monkey]

I am aware of that hence the fact I did mention it. All wood grain is beautiful.

Sorry, I assumed you did know, I was just wittering on

[Flyboy]

Lots of other views on the internet too:

 

"Tanalised" is a bit of a generic term. The old CCA treatments did contain arsenic (Copper/Chromium/Arsenic) but not been used for many years so unlikely that any new product or offcut therefrom would have these metals. The green tinted stuff is TanalithE which does contain copper but neither of the other two. Tanalith Clear aka Tanalithm has no heavy metal content.

_________________________

 

Tanalith 'E' no longer contains arsenic, but does contain Copper and organic bio degradeable biocides. Not a good idea to burn on an open fire, but safer on a closed woodburner.

__________________________

 

Perhaps I'll rummage through in future and avoid the tanalised stuff.

Safer for you maybe, but what about those breathing the smoke outside your boat. Any treated timber will produce carcinogens when burnt.

[Athy]

spalted timber is wood infected by fungi

The first new word I've learned this week (spalted, that is, not timber), thanks!

[tree monkey]

The first new word I've learned this week (spalted, that is, not timber), thanks!

Pleasure

[Jerra]

The first new word I've learned this week (spalted, that is, not timber), thanks!

It generally shows up as a thin black line running through parts of the grain.

. Any treated timber will produce carcinogens when burnt.

Isn't all smoke carcinogenic?

[tree monkey]

It generally shows up as a thin black line running through parts of the grain.

 

Isn't all smoke carcinogenic?

Yes to some degree

[Flyboy]

 

Isn't all smoke carcinogenic?

I definitely will be if it's coming from burning treated timber.