15 Reasons To Not Be Ignoring 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 health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best way to minimize these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20%.

The amount of air being delivered to a fire will also have an important influence on its energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down 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 properly dried is vital for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only 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. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. When used correctly however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog we encounter on clear days.

When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of energy from the log into usable heat.

Avoid using  wood heater stove  or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden 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, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.

Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night however, safety precautions must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney.  woodburning stoves  could block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a 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, toys, and other items 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 very hot and shouldn't be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to spend winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly treated. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It can also be a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

The ashes should be removed and put them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

Make sure you make sure 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 shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually checked for obstructions. Consult your user manual to learn how to do it for your particular unit.