Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not only soothing and mesmerizing but also essential to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to function.
Unseasoned, or green, 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 keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best method to reduce the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent.
The amount of air being provided to a flame will also have a significant impact 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. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A firewood load that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high water content that can be difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating requirements 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 organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside, making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
When used correctly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to 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, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and are hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
very small wood burning stove to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night However, security precautions must be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, block the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered with a breathable air 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 an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce smoke in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are a great starter material to get your fire up and running, but shouldn't be used for more than that. These softer woods contain sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful option to relax during winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gasses that ignite.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out how to do it for your fireplace.