5 Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential element of our wellbeing and health. But, they have to be clean and hot to work effectively.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step to efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

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

The quantity of air that is provided to a flame will also have an important impact on the energy output and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A load of firewood that has been dried properly is vital for efficient Wood burner clearance sale burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry it will have a high water content, which may make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. White pine and spruce could be more affordable than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. If properly used, however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use to heat your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and are hazardous 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 ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your wood burning stove in conservatory stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustible objects, such as curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your fireplace with Wood burner clearance sale burning. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.

Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running but should not be used for anything more than. These woods with sap and resin which when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is another harmful product of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It is also an hazard to fire because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the yard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.