Protect timber against moisture through burning

[Jored]

I am thinking of building some planter boxes (similar to pallet collars, but larger) for a gardening project next year. Since I plan to grow food in the boxes, I don't want to use pressure-treated wood, and then I thought about lightly burning the boards instead? In the past, people used to burn one end of the posts used to build fences to make them last longer. What happens to wood when you burn it a little? Is it worth trying the idea? Unfortunately, I don't have a propane torch, but my heat gun might be enough.

 

[MPB]

I was thinking of building some planting boxes (similar to pallet collars, but larger) for a gardening project next year. Since I plan to grow food in the boxes, I don't want to use pressure-treated wood, and then I thought of the idea of burning the boards a little instead? In the past, people used to burn one end of the posts that they built fences with, so they would last longer. What happens to wood when you burn it? Is it worth trying the idea? Unfortunately, I don't have a gas burner, but my hot air gun might be enough.

How did it go? ☺️

 

[Jored]

How did it go? ☺️

I cultivated completely in open ground instead. But I'm planning to resume the project as soon as I get hold of really cheap timber and a propane burner.

 

[Pjosk75]

In the latest episode of mdndelsmsns gård, they charred the exterior panels for a sauna.

3 boards were tied together in the shape of a triangle.
The package was leaned against a stand so that the angle was ~45 degrees.
A fire was lit at the bottom, uncertain how it was done.
The package acted as a chimney and the fire eventually shot out from the top.
After x minutes, the package was pushed over, opened, and the fire was extinguished with water.

 

[hapazard]

For the application of protecting against rot in a planter box, it is completely pointless to burn the wood on the surface.

Also pointless to avoid pressure-treated wood. At least if you buy it from a Swedish hardware store, it contains no particularly dangerous substances and what little is released and absorbed is harmless.

But, of course, I wouldn't plant in random old pallet collars or use old sleepers or similar.

 

[Jored]

For the application of protecting against rot in a planter box, burning the wood on the surface is completely pointless.

Also pointless to avoid pressure-treated lumber. At least if you buy from Swedish building stores, it doesn't contain particularly dangerous substances and the little that is released and absorbed is harmless.

But, of course, I wouldn't grow in random old pallets or use old sleepers or similar.

Why is it pointless? It should significantly increase durability, right?

 

[hapazard]

Why is it pointless? Shouldn't it significantly increase durability?

Hardly, the moisture goes into the board and it rots from the inside.