14 Questions You Might Be Afraid To Ask About Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just soothing and enchanting, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to work.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. The best method to reduce the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20%.

The amount of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant influence on its energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate.

To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the fuel that is usable. The converse is true of the fire that is restricted to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A dry load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel 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, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. If properly used however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood warms it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by burning the logs to the state of charcoal that releases less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning  wood burning stoves ideas  on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and shouldn't be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture.  wood burning stove in conservatory  that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.

Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are a great starter material to get your fire up and running however should not be used for more than that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which when burned, create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire, this water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.

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

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.