Five Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential aspect of our health and wellbeing. They must be hot and clean in order to work.

Green, or unseasoned cast iron wood burner has high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The corner wood burning stove fire should be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. The best way to minimize these variations is by using seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.

The amount of air provided to a flame will also have an important impact on its heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is limited, however a wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.

To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A firewood pile that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content that can be difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For example white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote are also released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. If used properly however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

When used correctly, wood woodburning stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of energy from the logs as usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own 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 suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small wood burning stove pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

The warmth of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful option to relax during winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the buildup of creosote in excess. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece wood heater stove is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It also poses a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!

Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your particular unit.