Can Pallets Be Used for Firewood?

My little family loves breathing life into wood pallets, turning them into decorations, outdoor furniture, and much more. Sometimes, though, we don’t have any projects that call for scrap wood on our DIY list

So, I do the obvious thing and use the pallets to fuel our fire pit. But, apparently, my approach isn’t the obvious move for everyone—some people are wary about burning pallets.

So, can pallets be used for firewood?

I burn them quite a lot, so it only makes sense that my answer is a solid “yes.” However, you don’t have to take my word for it. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) says pallets are generally safe to burn in fireplaces.

There are a few precautions, tips, and tricks, though. And I won’t leave you hanging. This post is all about finding pallets you can safely burn and knowing the possible risks.

What should I look out for when burning pallets?

Some pallets make good, cheap firewood. Others are so toxic that I don’t even want them around my home.

Before we dig into the details, let me share five golden tips:

• Treatment Type: Don’t burn pallets treated with toxic chemicals (more about that in a minute).
• Burning Temperature: Pallet fires can get very hot very fast due to the thin, dry nature of the wood.
• Pesky Nails: Check for nails when chopping up the wood and dispose of nails in your ash appropriately.
• Pallet Condition: Avoid using dirty, stained, or painted pallets. You don’t know what they’ve been through before they found their way to your home.
• Ventilation Level: I burn pallets exclusively in our outdoor fire pit, where there is adequate airflow.

Avoiding toxic pallets: How do I know if my pallet wood is treated?

More often than not, your pallet will have a stamp on it. This stamp should tell you what treatment was used.

Here are the four most popular codes:

• [HT] = Heat treated
• [MB] = Methyl Bromide treatment (avoid burning this one at all costs!)
• [DB] = Debarked
• [KD] = Kiln dried

Out of all four treatments, methyl bromide is the one you really want to avoid.

Sure, the treatment means the pallet is likely pest-free, but it’s also toxic. It’s not good for the ozone layer, either.

More than just wood: Is it OK to burn wood with nails?

It sure is!

That said, there are two main precautions to keep in mind.

For one, when chopping the pallet, you need to look out and make sure you don’t hit any nails—they could damage your saw blade!

Plus, nails need incredibly high temperatures to melt. Safe to say, you’ll end up with a bunch of nails in your fire pit. You can scoop them up or use a large magnetic sweeper to collect the nails. I like the second approach much better.

Prepping the pallets: How do I chop up pallets to burn?

You can use a reciprocating or circular saw to chop pallets into burnable pieces.

It’s also possible to use a hammer or a pry bar. It’s going to take a lot longer, though.

Either way, I’m not particularly fussy about the cuts. After all, you don’t need the boards to be in great shape if you are just going to burn them up!

Outdoor pit vs. indoor burner: Is burning pallets in wood stoves a smart idea?

I wouldn’t recommend burning pallets in an indoor wood stove. The smoke won’t help the air quality one bit.

But you can always double-check the user manual. Some manufacturers will classify pallets as “inferior firewood” that could burn too quickly or leave a soot build-up.

Meanwhile, others will outright ask you to avoid using pallets in the burner. If you do, you will likely null the warranty!

Paint Color: Can you burn blue pallets?

Unfortunately, no. There are a couple of reasons why you shouldn’t burn blue pallets:

1. Burning painted wood, in general, is a risky business. You never know what heavy metals were used to make the pigment!
2. Odds are, these blue pallets are the property of CHEP. And they really want their pallets back.

If you find one, you’re not free to discard it. Just call the company, and they’ll come pick it up.

What to do with blue pallets? #4 SMALL RETAIL STORE

FAQs

Where can I get free pallet wood?

So, blue pallets aren’t yours to burn, but there are tons of great sources to consider. In fact, we wrote a whole blog post about where to find free pallet wood!

What else can I do with pallet wood?

What about building scallop planters or herb gardens? Maybe a Christmas tree for your yard? Perhaps you want to go big with a canoe stand or a porch workstation?

Just don’t use the pallets to make something like a cutting board—they’re usually not that safe.

What is a pallet fire risk?

Some folks use scrap wood to start campfires, but unattended pallet fires can be incredibly dangerous. With some winds and drought, the flames can spread quickly!

Keep this fire risk in mind and always put out your bonfires properly.

Wrapping up: Is it OK to burn pallet wood?

You can burn dried pallet lumber outdoors, assuming it wasn’t treated with harsh chemicals. Pallets are marked MB for the fumigant “methyl bromide” and are definitely NOT safe to burn.

Always use caution around fires and put safety first. Burn pallets or anything else at your own risk.

What other questions do you have about burning pallet wood?

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Sean

Hey there, I’m Sean, the woodworking enthusiast and builder behind CharlestonCrafted.com! Since 2012, I’ve been sharing the magic of turning raw materials into beautiful creations. I love teaching others the art and satisfaction of woodworking and DIY. I try to inspire fellow crafters to make something extraordinary out of nothing at all.