7 Things About Wood Burning Fires You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential element of our health and wellbeing. They need to be warm and clean in order to work.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step in efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the environment. The best way to minimize the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%.
The quantity of air that is supplied to a fire will also have a significant influence on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as much.
A dry load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended 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 types of wood. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is crucial to take into account your heating requirements 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-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. When used correctly, however modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.
The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we see on clear days.
If properly used when used correctly, small wood burning stove and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night However, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace to not work as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have 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 a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could arise. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most common causes of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Creosote may build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then absorbed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to the walls. It can also be a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.
You should remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the backyard!
Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out the procedure for your unit.