Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential element of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned shed wood burner has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be hot enough to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best wood burning stove method to reduce the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20%.

The quantity of air supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and quickly drain the fuel supply. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A dry load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry it will have a high levels of water, which may make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. For example white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

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

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. If properly used however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm 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 we experience on clear days.

When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by burning the logs into 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 to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your shed wood burner will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold, but security precautions should be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.

Never burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and may 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, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Wood that is seasoned looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapped. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney.

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 softer woods, like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for anything more than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might develop. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. Water can comprise half of the weight of a large wood burner piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It also poses an hazard to fire because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. 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 double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.