Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising, but they're a critical element of our health and wellbeing. They should be hot and clean to work.

Green wood burning stoves ideas, also known as unseasoned wood has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial process for efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to limit these variations.

The quantity of air provided to a flame will also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as far.

A firewood load that has been dried properly is crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat from 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 creates 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 such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality outside by 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 reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than when the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for heating your home.

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

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

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin 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 metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow, and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.

Do not burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles such as furniture, curtains and toys, in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to minimize smoke in your home. Make a fire by using small woodburners pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. 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 does not completely burn. When a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner, and the absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside wood burners 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 backyard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.