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 They're also an essential aspect of our health and well-being. But, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best wood burning stove way to limit these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 percent.

In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.

To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry out it will have a high levels of water, which can be difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for the best performance.

Another factor 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 or shagbark, however, the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly 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 and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.

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

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to heat your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the logs into the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

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

Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or at the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night, but security precautions should be taken. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only shed wood burner that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood burner that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be cautious not to overload your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal liner, check it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.

The ashes should be removed and place them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.