Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they have to be clean and hot for them to function properly.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. wood burning stoves on sale to minimize these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20 percent.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.
A firewood load that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry out, it will have high water content, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. For example white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide 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 can create indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use to heat your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. wood burning stoves uk is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce the risk of this by converting the wood to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or in the home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold however, safety precautions should be taken. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease the moisture. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapped. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered, but allowing air circulation to them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal liner, check it frequently for signs of wear. This 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 building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starting material for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum 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 to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not completely burn. 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. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. During the fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It could also pose a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep Best wood burning stoves on a non-flammable surface. The Ash can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and inspected visually for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.