Five Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

wood burning fires - link homepage - Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential element of our health and wellbeing. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

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

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20 percent.

The amount of air provided to a flame will also have a significant impact on its heat output and burning 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 slowed.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly draw down the fuel supply. The converse is true of the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much.

A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If freestanding wood burning stove is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high levels of water, which may make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for optimal performance.

The BTU content of contemporary wood burning stoves is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce could be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. When used correctly, however modern combustion technology in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.

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

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you make use of them in your garden or at the house.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the home and dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or Wood burning fires wood stove not to function as efficiently.

Never burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, in a safe distance from your stove or woodburning fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and wood burning fires shouldn't be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood burning stoves ideas for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote may build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. 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 product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It also poses an hazard to fire because it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible.

The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!

Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out the procedure for your particular unit.