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 element of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. The best way to minimize the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.

In addition, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is not sufficient the wood fire produces less heat and burn at a slower rate.

A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire all the oxygen it needs and quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A dry load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce could be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. If used properly however modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with brittle and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or in the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night However, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Also, do not use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep flammable materials like curtains, furniture and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.


The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace 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 the accumulation of creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. cast iron wood burner during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It is also an hazard to fire because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do this for your particular unit.