Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical element of our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the primary step in efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best way to limit these variations is by using seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20%.

Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A Wood Burning Stoves Small fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A load of firewood that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can significantly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - The vaporization of Moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.

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

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases 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 harder 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 also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a chilly winter night However, safety precautions must be taken. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.

Never burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned conservatory wood burner to reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Make a fire by using very small wood burning stove pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. When a large wood burning stove amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. These are the second hand wood burning stoves most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can accumulate in large amounts when wood burning stove in conservatory isn't properly treated. This is because up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It could also pose a fire hazard because it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good 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 on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.