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 well-being. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned freestanding wood burner 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 light and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a a moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.

The amount of air that is provided to a flame can also have a significant influence on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. When the air supply is not sufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and will burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all the oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.

A firewood load that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient corner wood burner burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which can be difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. For instance white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

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

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can significantly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for heating your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If used properly Wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce the problem by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the logs as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Don't overload the stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. When fires are improperly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, block the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or wood burning fires fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce moisture. Wood that is wet produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.

Be cautious not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also 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 recommends using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire by using small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are good starter material to get your fire going but should not be used for anything more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote can block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace 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 two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.