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 they're also a vital aspect of our wellbeing and health. However, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly.

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 low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent.

Additionally, the amount of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire produces 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. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far.

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

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern wood burning stove combustion technology, when used properly can drastically reduce the emission.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Fireplaces and wood woodburning stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the logs into charcoal state that releases less volatile gasses, and creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they create more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the house.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and clean. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and cracks appear in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire by using very small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going however shouldn't be used for anything more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might develop. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to burn completely can be caused by a variety of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and adhere to walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to combustible gases.

You should remove the ashes and store them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them around the lawn!

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