5 Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital element of our health and wellbeing. But, they have to be clean and hot to function effectively.

Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best method to reduce the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 percent.

In addition, the quantity of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

To maximize burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all the oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as far.

A well-dried load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will have a high water content, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is the reason it's important to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor wood burner air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote also get released.

Smoke from poorly-designed freestanding wood burning stove stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. If used properly, however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.

Fireplaces and shed wood burner stoves that use clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by burning the logs to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing most 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. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace to not work as effectively.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clear. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it frequently for signs of wear. This could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are good for starting your fire up and running however should not be used for more than that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your woodburning fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to fully burn is caused by a number of factors including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. During the fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them around the lawn!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually inspected for blockages. Check your user's manual to find out how to do this for your fireplace.