Ask This Old House gave bad info

So this morning I was able to catch up one some of my TV shows on the DVR(snow day). And as I was was watching what they had to say about fireplace inspections, Mark McCullough gave some BAD information.
“Creosote usually forms when you burn pine. So FYI, don’t burn pine in your fireplace”
Stoop, Planters, Fireplace Insert | Ask TOH

I recorded the clip on my phone, but I have never figured out the process of uploading videos to the internet.

So just to make myself feel better, I sent in a comment that corrected the information:
Mark McCullough said “Creosote usually forms when you burn pine. So FYI, don’t burn pine in your fireplace”. This is an incorrect statement.

The main causes of creosote buildup are:

• Wet or unseasoned wood
• Incomplete combustion
• Cool surfaces

The best way to control creosote is to prevent its buildup by maintaining a briskly burning fire with dry, well-seasoned wood. Maintain a flue temperature exceeding 250 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent creosote condensation.

Hopefully they read it and correct their misconceptions.

Charles

 

This sounds familiar to me, I think I remember seeing this episode and thinking the same thing. Unless it was regarding something else they were talking about. Classic north east myths!

 

Great info, Charles.

Explaining why pine is as good as any other dry firewood might help to dispell the old wives tale, also.
There are many people in higher elevations and northern climates that heat only with pine...

 

Lived in Wyoming for several yrs and only real access to wood species was pine. Good, dry pine works just fine.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

Misinformation is everywhere regarding pine. Pine only causes creosote when burned on even numbered days.

 

Ahh Hah, I knew there was something I was missing. Thanks.

 

One of the local well known stove shops has been promulgating the same myth in their ads lately...
Who here thinks pine is safe to burn

 

i have followed this old house from the beginning and in my opinion it was very good ,the homeowners would be involved with the actual work ,the budgets were reasonable ,you actually learned how to do things and how thing worked ,the original developer of the show lives quite close to me and the new yankee workshop is in his backyard ,i have spoken with some who were involved with the production in the past and even they say things have changed and not always in a good way ,ownership of the name has changed and for years now it is all just about money and promotion ,i am sorry to see this but most new things i find lacking in quality and real information .

 

Just remember... PIF!

 

Yep.

 

You should see the looks i get when people stop to get firewood and ask what kind of wood. The usual. Oak,ash,cherry and PINE. Actually no pine but I love the looks. No one asks if it's dry.

 

Two things to point out for Ask this Old House.....He did say Fireplace......not Wood stove. I have been burning Pine for almost 10 tears in my WOOD STOVE!...I don't think I would burn it in a fireplace though........2nd...Lets just say he said the opposite....Go ahead and burn all the pine you want! Its perfectly safe...Lol...Can someone say....LAWSUIT!!!

 

Or he could have said nothing.

 

Amazing how many people don't know that.

 

Shhh. Dont tell everyone they can burn pine. I end up with some ez scores cause misinformed people think its bad.

 

I met Norm Abram at Old Sturbridge Village about a year ago. I believe he sits on the trustee board. Seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I agree about the show, it got worse and worse until I couldn’t stand watching it, and I love building. The New Yankee Workshop I did enjoy.

 

Why can't you burn pine in a fireplace ?

 

Mine burns it perfectly fine. I normally do 1 split at a time just to get the fire going quick and to make sure I have enough.

 

I would'nt because I don't have a fireplace...Lol