5 Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

wood burning fires (www.Bioguiden.se) Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital element of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial process for efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20%.

The amount of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant influence on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and will burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a limited area, in which the fire cannot expand as far.

A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient contemporary wood burners burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

wood heater stove smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. 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 and smolders, volatile tars like creosote are also released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly, can greatly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes up the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for to heat your home.

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

When used correctly when used correctly, corner wood burner stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen the risk of this issue by converting the logs to charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or in the house.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. If fires are constructed 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 can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or 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 is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the end grain, Wood Burning Fires and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top wood burning stoves covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire going but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which, when burned, deposit excessive 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 maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may develop. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

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

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It can also be a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gases.

The ashes should be removed and store them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the yard!

Regularly have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.