5 Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

wood burning fires, just click blogfreely.net, Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital element of our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot to function effectively.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be hot enough to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has less than 20%.

The quantity of air that is provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is not sufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a Wood burner clearance sale stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as far.

A firewood load that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry it will have a high water content, which may make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern wood burning stove technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than when the log was dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

Fireplaces and wood burning fireplace stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood burning stoves small can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to run less efficiently.

Never burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

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

Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce 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 on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These softer woods have resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may develop. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the lawn!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your unit.