Five Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

wood burning fires (look at here now) Need to Be Hot and Clean

corner wood burning stove burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical aspect of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean in order to work.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best wood burning stove way to minimize the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.

In addition, the amount of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For wood burning fires example white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside, making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can significantly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log warms it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than when the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to heat your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce the risk of this by burning the logs to the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you make use of them in your garden or around the house.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted cast iron wood burning stove, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for signs of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire with very small wood burning stove pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most common cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It could also pose an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside wood burners on an unflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the lawn!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your 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 accomplish this for your particular unit.