Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

wood burning fires (investigate this site) are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital part of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean to work.

Green, or unseasoned wood is very moist that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be hot enough to burn off moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations.

In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and burn time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a slower rate.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.

A dry load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which could make it difficult to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. 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 is burnt.

Smoke from older, 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 that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by burning the logs to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as creating 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 creates more creosote. Do not overload your stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should utilize them in your garden or in the home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your contemporary wood burners correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, safety precautions must be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.

Do not burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't 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. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going however should not be used for more than that. These softer woods contain sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a contemporary wood burners burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. They are the second hand wood burning stoves most common cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of causes, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

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

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!

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, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually inspected for any blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.