Five Killer Quora Answers To 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 a vital element of our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures 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 process for efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit these variations.

The quantity of air supplied to a fire will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. If the supply of air is insufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate.

A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small wood burning heater area is less likely to spread.

A dry load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry, it will have high water content that may make it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can cause indoor wood burning stove air pollution, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.

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

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home.

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the log as usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and can be dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove working efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold however, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very small wood burner hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clear. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should 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 minimize smoke in your home. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great for starting your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything other than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a variety of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire it 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 atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It could also pose a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and inspected visually for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.