[Farmerbob]

I use a sheet of old financial records or plain junk mail to start my wood stove. Since 9-11 I have noticed that more and more of that paper will not burn. It just smolders like cigarette paper. To get rid of large amounts I have to make a bon fire and stir it around all day where I used to just set the box ablaze and watch from a distance. I’m impressed that they could burn a whole warehouse full without napalm or thermite.

[PeterPrinciple]

I have noticed that more and more of that paper will not burn.

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Q.1010: What are main ingredients of paper?

Ans. Main ingredient of all paper is plant material. Loading or filling material such as clay, CaCO3, Talc, TiO2 etc. are used for higher brightness and better printability. Rosin, alum or combination of other chemicals is used to make paper water resistant.

https://www.paperonweb.com/A1010.htm

[PeterPrinciple]

Some paper such as currency paper is almost 100% cellulose.

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From the sight, didn’t know that. Maybe you need to burn something else to keep warm...................

[palmer]

Best way to burn the paper is to start the wood stove with kindling and burn a bunch of hardwood to get a bed of coals. Then lay two pieces of hardwood out over the coals, don't need large pieces, branches will do. Keep a gap between the two pieces of wood Lay a half to one inch stack of mixed paper over the two sticks. Should be fire below the paper and should burn some on top. The fire below the paper will heat through the stack which will eventually burn into white ash. The ash will be much less volume than the paper.

Takes about two hours to burn the stack, no stirring.