Val Truitt

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to function.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20% to limit these variations.

The quantity of air that is supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is insufficient the wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a lower rate.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. The converse is true of a fire that is confined to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as much.

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

Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

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

Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern wood burner combustion technology when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emission.

Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use heating your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we encounter on clear days.

When used correctly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Avoid overburdening 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 bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or at the home.

Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned contemporary wood burners in order to reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are good for starting your fire up and running but should not be used for anything other than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit large wood burning stove amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a great way to spend winter evenings. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half of 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 in 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 wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It can also be a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

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. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your backyard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your specific unit.