This Is The Ultimate Guide To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they have to be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to push out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20% to limit these variations.

Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is not sufficient a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A dry load of firewood is also crucial to 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 could make it difficult for logs to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It's important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollutants, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When wood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote are also released.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However,  learn more  burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.

In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the log as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or around the house.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as effectively.

Do not burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, create toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep flammable materials like curtains, furniture and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to minimize smoke in your home. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are good starter material to get your fire going, but should not be used for more than that. These softer woods have resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is essential to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean 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.  visit  of issues can cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses 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 ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

Make sure you ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out the procedure for your fireplace.