5 Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

wood burning stoves for sale Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

wood burning fires, just click the next website page, are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital part of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be clean and hot to function effectively.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations.

Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. If the supply of air is insufficient a wood heater stove fire will produce less heat and burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content that can be difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for 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 firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can drastically reduce the emission.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would when the log was dried to dry 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, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by converting the logs into a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour cheap wood burning stoves to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you utilize them in your garden or in the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught 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 during the summer months to reduce the moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clean. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but allowing air circulation around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starting material for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. These are the second most common causes of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to burn completely can be caused by a number of reasons, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and adhere to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper, 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. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.