Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

wood burning fires (simply click Bravejournal) are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical element of our health and wellbeing. They need to be warm and clean in order to function.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

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

It is important to know that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to minimize these variations.

The amount of air delivered to a fire can also have a significant impact on the temperature and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A dry load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had a chance to dry out, it will have high water content, which can be difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

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

Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly can drastically reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

If properly used wood burning stove for shed stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.

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

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night However, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated contemporary wood burners, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Also, avoid using the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your woodburning fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal liner, check it frequently for signs of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire going, but should not be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might develop. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. They are the second most frequent causes of house fires across the United States. The inability of a fire to fully burn is caused by a variety of factors including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It is also a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!

Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined 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 double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Check your user's manual to learn how to do this for your fireplace.