5 Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

wood burning fires (Www.metooo.It) are not only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential part of our health and wellbeing. They need to be warm and clean to work.

Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the primary process for efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.

The amount of air that is supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on its heat output and burning time. 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.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry out it will have a high water content, which may make it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months.

Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of shed wood burner. 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'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor wood burning stove air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. If used properly however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If used properly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen the risk of this issue by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of energy from the logs as 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. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to function as effectively.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when it is tapped. 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 as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire up and running however should not be used for more than that. These woods with resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a great option to relax during winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could arise. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a large wood burning stove amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and adhere to walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do this for your fireplace.