Five 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 an essential part of our wellbeing and health. But, they have to be hot and clean to function effectively.

Green wood, also known as 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 ignite and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to snuff out 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 step to efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.

Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. 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.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly drain the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far.

A well-dried firewood load is also critical to efficient wood burning. Wood that isn't dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the Best wood burning stoves performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. For example white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of corner wood burning stove. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote are also 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. When used correctly, however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - The vaporization of Moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form 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.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the wood to a charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they 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, ensure that you make use of them in your garden or at the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter, as well as 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 essential. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Also, avoid using the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned conservatory wood burner for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using very small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. It is essential to maintain the fireplace to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may develop. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote is accumulated it can cause chimney fires. These are the second most common causes of house fires across the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then absorbed as creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The Ash can also be used 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 on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out the procedure for your fireplace.