Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital aspect of our health and wellbeing. They should be hot and clean to work.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood burning stoves on sale has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step to efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20%.
Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. When the air supply is limited, however a wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it can get and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread.
A load of firewood that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will have a high water content, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. When used correctly, however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which 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 that is found in the air.
When used correctly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Do not overload your stove with soft and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or at the house.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires are improperly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the house and creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when it is tapped. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly, with the top wood burning stoves covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Appliances that are overloaded 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 lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which can be a good for starting your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything other than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which when burned, create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to fully burn is caused by a variety of factors such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate in large wood burner amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of cast iron wood burning stove is water. During the fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. 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 less brittle than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It can also be an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the yard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.