Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

wood burning fires (more about www.stes.tyc.edu.tw) Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising, but they're a critical aspect of our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best method to reduce these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has less than 20%.

In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. When the air supply is not sufficient a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and quickly drain the fuel supply. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a small wood burning heater area in which the fire cannot expand as much.

A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. When british wood burning stoves is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high water content, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For instance white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. When used correctly, however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we encounter on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by converting the wood to charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood burners for sale for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or at the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your Wood burner clearance sale will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a chilly winter night, but precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Never burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They emit noxious gases and can release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

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

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly, with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.

Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running, but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which, when burned, deposit large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote may build up excessively when wood is not properly treated. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and adhere to walls. It is also a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them around the lawn!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to check 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 fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.