Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

wood burning fires (www.longisland.com) are not only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential aspect of our wellbeing and health. They should be hot and clean to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to reduce the variations.

The quantity of air being delivered to a fire will also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry out it will have a high water content, which can be difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for the best performance.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll generate more heat with the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor wood burner air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.

Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. If used properly, however, modern wood burner technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log warms it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for warming your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we encounter on clear days.

When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will 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 other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fire in the winter cold, but safety precautions must be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly and left unattended or burnt the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Store your wood outside wood burners, neatly stacked and with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal liner, check it regularly for indications of wear. This 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 burning fireplace and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are good for starting your fire up and running however should not be used for anything other than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a lot of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fire to fully burn is caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote may build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly prepared. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It could also pose an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your backyard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your unit.