How a Wood log burning stoves (you can try here) Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. However they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion admitted air below and above the fuel. This resulted in energy loss, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves use a superior combustion method that splits the air supply into two phases. This allows for higher heating efficiency with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of a wood stove is a measure of how well your wood is transformed into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the quantity of heat that is transferred from your stove to the room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency and combustion will use less fuel, and generate less waste such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves have high efficiency in combustion, due to their advanced design. They maximize the amount of heat while using less wood. They also tend to emit less emissions, especially EPA-certified stoves that require a catalytic combustion combustor to clean exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are a great choice for homeowners who want to minimize their impact on our environment, while enjoying the warmth and the comfort of a wood-burning stove.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to control the process of combustion. This can be achieved by adding small pieces of wood frequently and maintaining a steady flame in the stove. This will stop the build-up of flammable Creosote within the chimney that could cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another key element in the effectiveness of a wood stove is using properly dried wood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent. Dry well-seasoned and seasoned wood will not only generate more heat from the same fuel, but will also produce less smoke and air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove releases within an hour. To meet the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion process or catalytic combustor in order to manage combustion and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide they release. If you're looking to purchase an wood-burning stove that complies with EPA emission standards, look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves use a honeycomb combustor made of ceramic that is coated with noble metals like palladium or platin. The combustor functions in the same way as your car's catalyst does to clean its exhaust. When smoke flows through the combustor at high temperatures noble metals react with the particulates and chemical compounds in the smoke to break them down into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This enables the stove to produce lower emissions and burn more efficiently than non-catalytic models, without losing heat output or efficiency. The combustor performs its best when the gas temperature in the flue is 1,000degF or greater. When the fire is burned at a low temperature the gases inside the stove aren't able to reach this temperature, and the combustor will not function properly.

The combustor could be damaged by burning foreign materials like trash, paper logs painted or treated wood. The burning of these materials can result in "masking" which covers the cells of the combustor with a substance which prevents it from working in the way it was intended. Masking can also result from closing the bypass damper to soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells aren't cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and tar, plugging may occur which causes smoke spillage.

When properly operated and placed, the combustor will give years of reliable performance. It will require little maintenance other than cleaning off the soot from its surface after a prolonged burn and then dusting it with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor has a bypass damper which is open to begin the fire and closed when you're ready to reload your stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates that your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. Doing this too soon will decrease the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass too early could reduce the temperature of the combustor's intake and damage it. Consult your stove's manual for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department if you need assistance.

Control of Airflow

The air flow controls in your wood stove are essential in ensuring that your fire burns properly and safely. The primary secondary, tertiary and primary air systems work together to allow your fire to burn effectively. Each system plays a unique role in the combustion process.

The primary air control is located either beneath or inside the stove's door. It controls the amount air that enters the firebox. More air will ignite the fire more quickly but it could also increase the chance of smoke and creosote. The ideal is that the air control should be opened wide for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.

Once you've reached the desired temperature, you can slowly close the primary air control until the desired temperature has been achieved. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke as this indicates inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to inject oxygen into your stove's top, usually in the form of air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of managing your fire. Without it the fire will burn too fast and produce excessive amounts of smoke.

The tertiary airflow, which is the final stage of the airflow systems of your stove is fed into the chimney or updraft. This helps to create strong draft in the flue, allowing your fire to reach its highest efficiency.

It is essential to keep in mind that your wood stove has been made and designed to be optimized specifically to burn wood for fire. Any other type of combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove and can cause high levels of emissions and potentially chimney fires. The best kind of combustible to use is seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months, although softwood can be used as well. Avoid using paper and cardboard as they can emit toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build up in your stove. It is also a good idea to avoid placing any wood or other combustibles over top of your fire, as this can cause the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a great alternative to electricity, especially when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if employed in a wrong manner. They can produce harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They also can cause fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can reduce these dangers by taking simple safety guidelines.

Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood for your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or rekindle fires. Never burn treated wood or painted wood, or wet wood. Keep the flue open to let plenty of oxygen in. Always add wood in small amounts and don't let the fire burn out. If you live in a smoke-control zone, never make use of an indoor fire.

Make sure your stove and chimney are properly installed. A poorly installed wood stove could result in an unintentional chimney fire that can release harmful gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also essential. Make sure that the flue isn't leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is a good idea to keep your wood in a shed or tarp. This will allow the wood to dry out and season faster. You should also keep the firewood from other sources of heat to decrease fire risks. It is also a good idea to put your stove on a non-flammable area, like a tile floor.

It is important to be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have young children. They might attempt to touch the fire or play with the hot ash, which can be dangerous. Also, keep all flammable items at least three feet away from the stove. Consider installing a heat shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This will make it easier to escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more tips on keeping your home safe, check out our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a house fire.