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 aspect of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean to function.
Unseasoned, or green, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 degrees F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters 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 an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations.
In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to a fire can significantly impact its heat output and burn time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood burners for sale fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in a small wood burner space is less likely to spread.
A load of firewood that has been dried properly is crucial for efficient cast iron wood burner burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry it will have a high water content that can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce shed wood burner may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds like benzene. When firewood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. When used correctly, however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than 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 mix in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we encounter on clear days.
If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than 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 produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night however, security precautions should be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great starter material to get your fire going, but should not be used for anything more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold nights of winter. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may arise. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a number of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It also poses a fire hazard because it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and place them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The Ash can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to check 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 checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your particular unit.