Can I Burn Peat In A Wood Burning Stove?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Peat briquettes can be burned in a wood stove

, but because of the different properties between peat and firewood, it may not be an efficient way to heat your home. Firewood is denser than peat which makes it burn longer with fewer emissions when compared to burning peat briquettes.

Should you burn peat?

Peat briquettes burn extremely hot, and as a result

we recommend only using one briquette at a time

– but the upside is that those briquettes hold a lot of energy and release it more steadily than firewood, with the burn potentially lasting even longer.

Can you burn peat in a fireplace?

There won’t be any harm in burning peat, but, unless you have air from below the fire and the fuel on a grate, you won’t have much success burning peat well. In an open fireplace you simply use an elevated grate to get a decent burn; in an insert to get a good burn you would have to have one designed for peat or coal.

How do you peat on the stove?

One method to start a fire is to use firelighters. Place two peat briquettes into the stove (or your solid fuel of choice), a couple of inches apart. Place a piece of firelighter or two between the two briquettes and then place two more briquettes across the top.

Do the Irish still burn peat?

The story of peat in Ireland


Peat is still used to generate electricity and as a fuel for home fires to this day

, however, sustainable energy policy and bogland conservation programmes indicate phasing out harvesting peat as a primary source of energy post 2030.

How do you put out a peat fire?

New Imperial research shows

a fire suppressant, when combined with water, cuts the amount of time and water needed to extinguish peat fires by 40%

. The researchers say this is a big step in tackling smouldering peat fires, which are the largest fires on Earth.

Is burning peat toxic?


The fine particles released from peat fires pose the greatest risk to your health

. When these particles get into your eyes and lungs, symptoms of irritation such as coughing, wheezing and sore eyes are commonly experienced.

What does burning peat smell like?

For many Scotch whisky fans, Islay single malt lovers in particular, their favorite drink is defined by the distinct aroma of peat smoke,

a bewitching, earthy perfume of ancient moss

. So seemingly addictive is the smell that there is now a cottage industry to deliver peat to your home.

Can you put briquettes in a wood burning stove?

Can you burn briquettes in a wood burning stove?

Yes, briquettes are a fantastic fuel for a wood burning stove

and are an alternative to high quality logs. Similar to logs, some briquettes can also be broken up to provide a kindling option when lighting a fire.

What temperature does peat burn at?

The ignition temperature of peat was

177°C

[8].

Why should we stop using peat?

Why is peat important? Peat and peatlands are hugely important for plants, the wildlife that depend on them and, ultimately, us humans too.

Peat bogs store vast amounts of carbon, which must kept in the ground to avoid contributing to climate change

.

Why is peat banned?

Why is peat compost bad for the environment and why is it being banned? For peat to be healthy and function efficiently, it must remain wet.

Its extraction for human use dries the peat causing the area to degrade and also increases the risk of wildfires

.

What are the disadvantages of peat?

  • Environmental concerns: Peat moss is effectively a non-renewable resource because it takes many thousands of years to form.
  • Expensive: Peat moss costs much more per square foot than traditional soil.
  • Not ideal for certain plants: Some plants do best in alkaline soils.

Does peat produce a lot of smoke?

They can burn for days and weeks, even under relatively wet conditions. They lack the drama of flames, but

they produce a lot of smoke

.” That smoke makes peat fires dangerous to human health. It can worsen air quality and even trigger asthma and other respiratory problems.

Why are peat fires so difficult to put out?


Dry peat ignites very easily and can burn for days or weeks, even smouldering underground and re-emerging away from the initial source

(Fig. 1 & 2). This makes these fires incredibly difficult to extinguish, and highly unpredictable and uncontrollable.

Do peat briquettes smoke?

Peat briquettes are a popular source of fuel for use in fireplaces because they: Are slow burning. Can typically be very dry.

Can produce less smoke than other forms of solid fuel

.

Can you burn peat with coal?

Peat has traditionally been used for centuries for cooking and domestic heating. These ‘coal-like’ lumps of peat are easy and clean to handle, light easily and

can also be burnt alongside other fuels on multi-fuel stoves and open fires

.

What do the Irish burn in their fireplaces?


Peat

is commonly known by the Irish as ‘turf’ and has been harvested for centuries by a method known as ‘cutting. ‘ Peat has been an invaluable source of heat and energy throughout history in Ireland.

Why do they cut turf in Ireland?

Turf cutting takes place in bogs, habitats which are predominantly found in Ireland and were formed over thousands of years in areas with poor drainage and high rainfall.

The water clogged environment removes oxygen from the soil and prevents plant materials from being fully decomposed

.

What is peaty taste?

Peated whisky is given a

smoky flavour

by compounds which are released by the peat fires used to dry malted barley. The Length and intensity of exposure to the peat smoke dictates the strength of this flavour as do the characteristics of the peat itself.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.