Replies

1. 
   JMartinsky | Aug 31, 2006 01:35pm | #1

   Dear Street,
   Burning Cedar is OK, but I would call a local firehouse and see what they said. I burn cedar scraps in a stove in my shop and these are the precautions that I take.

   1) Mix it with hardwoods.

   2) It is a smokey wood, so add to an existing fire, or use shavings to start a fire.

   3) It is an "active" wood when burned like pops and hissing, it also has a tendency to throw embers so use a screen or doors.

   Best,

   John

2. 
   JohnWW | Aug 31, 2006 05:03pm | #2

   I believe that the cedar used for cooking fish is a western cedar that is not nearly as aromatic as the heart wood of eastern red cedar, so you should probably experiment before cooking up a large meal on the eastern wood, it might add too much flavor, or an unpleasant flavor, to the fish.

   Cedar burned in moderate amounts mixed in with hardwoods shouldn't cause any problems with your chimney.  Avoid burning a large quantity of cedar all at once, the especially hot fire can ignite creosote already collected on the chimney walls.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 31, 2006 07:24pm | #5

   "the especially hot fire can ignite creosote already collected on the chimney walls."  I had something similar happen when I first got my used pellet stove.  A piece of creosote in the pot "blew up."  Scared the bejesus out of me, smoke actually forced it's way through the very tight seals and the noise was amazing.  A burning fire would be even worse.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   JohnWW | Aug 31, 2006 09:20pm | #6

   Hi F.G.,

   I've had several similar experiences, smoke from a smoldering fire can ignite like propane creating quite a pop and lifting the cast iron cook top lids a few inches in the air.  A chimney fire can sound like a jet engine throttling up.

   John W.

3. 
   dull tool | Aug 31, 2006 05:05pm | #3

   Streetrodder, here is something else you can do with your Eastern Red Cedar. My grand daughter loves it. ps. she took the picture.

   
1. 
   streetrodder76 | Sep 01, 2006 02:11am | #7

   I appreciate all the insight into my questions.  I believe i will just use the scraps in small quantities as kindling.  As for the fish I'll pass on the word to use caution and not try it on anything important.  Oh, Dull Tool that is exactly why I harvested the trees was to make a chest with, I am a novice wood worker figured this wood be a good project. The honey do list is getting long for the rest of the cedar I'll have left. Thanks again everyone, I'm sure I'll picking your brains again soon. 

4. 
   PeteBradley | Aug 31, 2006 06:57pm | #4

   I've cooked on western red cedar, but eastern is a totally different animal. Given the amount of cedar shavings used for hamsters, etc. I think your dinner might smell like a pet shop.

   Pete