Five Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

wood burning fires (Zenwriting.net) are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital aspect of our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

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

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the primary process for efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. The best way to limit the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has less than 20%.

The amount of air that is provided to a flame can also have a significant impact on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The converse is true of the fire that is restricted to a small wood burning heater area where the fire can not expand as much.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry, it will have high levels of water, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

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

Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If properly used, however, modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use heating your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the wood to the state of charcoal that releases less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Do not overload your stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you utilize them in your garden or around the home.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible objects like curtains, furniture and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when it is tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Be aware not to overload your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire with small wood burning heater pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These woods with resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful option to relax during winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid problems that may arise. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. When a lot of creosote accumulates, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second hand wood burner most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of reasons, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It could also pose an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. 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 which has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.