Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical part of our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.

In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained within the confines of a very small wood burner area is less likely to spread.

A firewood pile that has been properly dried is vital for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood heater stove. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood woodburning stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. If used properly however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of Moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have when the log was dried to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog we see on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by converting the logs into the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten shed wood burner to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fire in the winter cold however, security precautions must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They emit noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clean. wood burning stove in conservatory that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapped. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize smoke in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for anything more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It also poses a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

You should remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them around the yard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and inspected visually for blockages. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.