5 Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential element of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions around it. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit these variations.

In addition, the amount of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.

To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small wood burner space is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry out, it will have high water content, 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 months.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. For instance, white pine or spruce wood burning stoves near me may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and 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 could cause poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If used properly, however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

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

If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of energy from the log as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or at the house.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates, and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the house and 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 operate less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Also, do not use flammable liquids to start fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a metal liner, check it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire using very small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting 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.

If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of causes 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 excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put 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!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your specific unit.