Firewood Question.

Green P1 · November 21, 2008

I've finally moved into an apartment with a fireplace(something I've missed since the age of 6). I've also realized that buying firewood around town is a total ripoff. My dad was recently given a half cord of mesquite by one of his suppliers at work and he's got absolutely nothing to do with it. He told me he doesn't think it's safe to use in a fire place... although he can't remember why. From looking around on the interweb I've found mixed reviews. Can anyone give me a reason not to burn it? I realize it's a waste of perfectly good mesquite, but like I said my dad really wouldn't ever put it to use.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Green P1

Green Dozer · November 21, 2008

Mesquite burns very hot, and the smell is very strong. Mesquite is best used for cooking where by it burns down to coals, and stays hot for an extended time. IMO, mesquite would be unsafe to burn in a fireplace, but FFR would know better. I would suggest dropping him a PM.

meangreendork · November 21, 2008

Even if mesquite was fireplace-OK, the smell of it (while very nice) is also really, really strong. You'll smell it for quite awhile and it'll get into everything in your apartment. The strong smell translates to strong flavor, which is why mesquite is so popular for smoking.

FirefightnRick · November 21, 2008

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BURN MESQUITE IN A DWELLING FIREPLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It burns extremely hot. We have seen several instances in which it super heated surrounding brick to the point in which you could not place and hold your bare hand on the outside of the fireplace structure. And with the apartment fireplaces, usually constructed from a metal inner core with a wood frame exterior, your just asking for it. Then like everyone else has said above, the smell is very strong. Mesquite is to be used for smoking meats, outside only. You don't want that in your house. Use cut oak only. No mesquite or pine.

Rick

November 21, 2008

I have a smoker that is begging for half a cord of mesquite.

LAZER · November 21, 2008

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BURN MESQUITE IN A DWELLING FIREPLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It burns extremely hot. We have seen several instances in which it super heated surrounding brick to the point in which you could not place and hold your bare hand on the outside of the fireplace structure. And with the apartment fireplaces, usually constructed from a metal inner core with a wood frame exterior, your just asking for it. Then like everyone else has said above, the smell is very strong. Mesquite is to be used for smoking meats, outside only. You don't want that in your house. Use cut oak only. No mesquite or pine.
Rick

Rick,

I live in an apartment in denton that has a fireplace. I have always been scared to use the fireplace because a fireplace in an apartment just seems lilke a bad idea to me. Not to mention the building across from me burned down about a year and a half ago and the complex will not tell us what caused the fire. Anyways, do you think apartment fireplaces are dangerous? My girlfriend is always trying to get me to light the fireplace but I never do because I do not want to burn the place down. Im just curious to hear your opinion on the matter.......

Green P1 · November 21, 2008

I have a smoker that is begging for half a cord of mesquite.

If anyone wants to make a trade....

oldguystudent · November 21, 2008

If anyone wants to make a trade....

Nah. I make it a policy never to smoke another man's wood.

Seriously, I wouldn't mind taking a little bundle of that off your hands. I've not tried using full size mesquite logs in my smoker. I've only done the chunks. I have done hickory in my bigger bbq, and it did indeed burn a hellva lot hotter than charcoal. Just gotta' be patient with it and let it get down to embers.