Why We Are In Love With Wood Burning Fires (And You Should Also!)

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential element of our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean in order to function.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood is characterized by high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary process for efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

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

The quantity of air that is provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper can increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and quickly drain the fuel supply. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as far.

A firewood load that is well-dried is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood Burning Stoves that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood burning stoves ideas. It's important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly, can greatly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases 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's more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they 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. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a chilly winter night, but safety precautions must be taken. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gases and may release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Also, do not use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clear. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has 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 reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid problems that may occur. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a large wood burning stove amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece 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 resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It can also be a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

Take the ashes out of 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 yard!

It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your unit.