Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting, but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit the variations.

In addition, the quantity of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. If the supply of air is not sufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all the oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as far.

A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. If used properly, however, modern technology for combustion in 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 when the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night However, safety precautions should be taken. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They release toxic gases and may 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 that can cause emissions to rise and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustible objects like curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas mature logs are more efficient and clear. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when it is tapped. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.


Be aware not to overload your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starting material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal way to warm up during the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote may build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. wood burning stoves for sale is because up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It is also an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Consult your user manual to learn how to do it for your fireplace.