Five Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

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

Green Wood burner clearance sale, or unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to light and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The Best wood burning stoves method to reduce the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 percent.

The quantity of air being delivered to a fire will also have a significant impact on its energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and burn slower.

A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and quickly draw down the fuel supply. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

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

Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. For example white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in 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 firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote are also released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. If used properly, however modern combustion technology in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we see on clear days.

If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.

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

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you make use of them in your garden or in the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. When fires are built incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote.

Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Be cautious not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry corner wood burning stove and building a hot fire using small wood burning stove pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going however should not be used for anything more than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful option to relax during winter nights. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could arise. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second hand wood burner-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to fully burn is caused by a number of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It could also pose a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

The ashes should be removed and put them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the yard!

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