Val Truitt

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical part of our wellbeing and health. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

Green cheap wood burner, also known as unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the primary step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.

The quantity of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant impact on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.

A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A dry load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. For example white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside, making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. If properly used, however, modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and cheap wood burner stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by converting the wood to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you make use of them in your garden or at the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, in a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when it is tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These softer woods have sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may occur. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of causes, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when corner wood burner is not properly prepared. This is because nearly 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 part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning freestanding wood burner is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible.

The ashes should be removed and put them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep 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 chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.