It's A Wood Burning Fires Success Story You'll Never Be Able To

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.

Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging 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 wood fire should be sufficiently hot to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize these variations.

In addition, the amount of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate.

A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A firewood load that is well-dried is also vital for 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. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

check out here  from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can significantly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use heating 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 that is found in the air.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and generates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the house.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night, but security precautions should be taken. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could 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, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running however should not be used for anything other than. These woods with resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could occur. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of reasons such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly treated. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. During the fire, this water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot.  check out here  is more pliable than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It could also pose an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

The ashes should be removed and place them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them around the backyard!

Make sure you ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. 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 double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out how to do this for your particular unit.