Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires are not just soothing and enchanting, but also essential to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to be effective.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to light and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best way to minimize these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.

Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.

A load of firewood that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry it will have a high water content that may make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.


Clean Burning

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

Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we see on clear days.

If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of energy from the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or around the home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night However, precautions for safety should be taken. If indoor wood burner Links to an external site. are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustible materials like curtains, furniture and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. 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 fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when it is tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These softer woods have resin and sap that when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It can also be an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gases.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the yard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and inspected visually for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.