Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital aspect of our health and wellbeing. They need to be warm and clean to be effective.

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

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the primary process for efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20%.

In addition, the amount of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. When the air supply is limited, however the wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a lower rate.

A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a small area where the fire can not expand as much.

A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. For example 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 much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, wood burning stoves Uk especially for older adults and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern wood burner combustion technology, when used properly can drastically reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried before burning. This also wastes 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 we encounter on clear days.

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 which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

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

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold However, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted garbage in your contemporary wood burning stoves-burning stove fireplace. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and wood burning fires produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing with a breathable air circulate around them.

Be aware not to overload your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using very small wood burning stove pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going but should not be used for anything more than. 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 warm up during the cold winter nights. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

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

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your woodburning fireplace and impede air circulation. It could also pose a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The Ash can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them around the backyard!

Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.