Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical element of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important process for efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20%.

The amount of air being provided to a flame can also have a significant impact on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A load of firewood that has been properly dried is vital for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burning stoves small. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. When used correctly however modern combustion technology in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. This wastes energy which could be used to heat your home.

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create 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, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by converting the wood to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them and they create more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or in the home.

Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night, but security precautions should be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.

Do not burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote.

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

Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the end 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.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small woodburners pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are good starter material to get your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which when burned, create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of house fires across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of reasons, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned contemporary wood burning stoves contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!

Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.