Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical aspect of our health and wellbeing. However, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly.

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

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation 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. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to minimize the variations.

Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and burn time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is not sufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn slower.

To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread.

A firewood load that is well-dried is also essential for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut cheap wood burner that isn't dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might 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's important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor wood burning stove air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If used properly, however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes up the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have when the log was dried to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat 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 among the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or in the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are necessary. 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 clog up the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.

Do not burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. 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 wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clear. Seasoned cast iron wood burner is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered, but allowing air circulation around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are good starter material to get your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin that, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a large wood burner amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires, which are the second hand wood burner most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It can also be a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

You should remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.