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, but they're a critical part of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean in order to function.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step in efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best way to minimize the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 percent.

The amount of air provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is insufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate.

To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as far.

A load of firewood that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry out it will have a high water content that could make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for the best performance.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly can significantly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

In the flue, wood burning fires these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. When fires are built incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, impede airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance away from your stove or woodburning fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very small wood burner hot and shouldn't be touched.

Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful option to relax during winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a substantial 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. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner, and a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote may build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is another harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.

The ashes should be removed and put them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the lawn!

Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can 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, you must have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.