Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential part of our wellbeing and health. But, they must be clean and hot in order to work effectively.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best method to reduce the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.
The quantity of air that is provided to a flame will also have an important impact on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all the oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry, it will have high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for the best performance.
The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means they will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that 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 and volatile organic compounds like benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of Moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we see on clear days.
talks about it and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into the state of charcoal that releases less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Do not overload your stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold however, security precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, like furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. 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 is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Be aware not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening 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 benefit from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, 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 completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. freestanding wood burner can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It also poses a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. talks about it forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!
Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.