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 need to be warm and clean in order to work.
Green, or unseasoned wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to reduce the variations.
In addition, the quantity of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get 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 load of firewood that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry out, it will have high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of cheap wood burning stoves. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when properly used, can greatly 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 consumes more energy than it would had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by burning the logs into charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or at the home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night However, precautions for safety should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can 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 fireplace. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be aware not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small wood burning heater pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which can be a good for starting your fire going but should not be used for anything other than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that, when burned, deposit large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. During the fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.
Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It can also be a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them around the yard!
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, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and inspected visually for any blockages. Check your user's manual to find out how to do this for your particular unit.