Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential part of our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.

Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. For example white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however, the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene. When wood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can drastically reduce the emission.

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

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the problem by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to get rid of creosote and particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. 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 could block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, do not use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or woodburning fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood burning stoves for sale for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Be aware not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause 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 building a hot fire with very small wood burner pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great for starting your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for anything more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold winter nights. It is important to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of reasons, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned Wood Burning Stoves contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood burning stove in conservatory is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It also poses a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the yard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user's manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.