Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical element of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step in efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best way to minimize the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.
In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is insufficient, a wood fire will produce less heat and burn slower.
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 use up all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.
A load of firewood that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.
cast iron wood burning stove is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as 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 burned.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. When used correctly however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we see on clear days.
When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of energy from the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.
Do not burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and cause toxic creosote.
Keep combustible objects like curtains, furniture and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, 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 burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It also poses an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.
The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do this for your particular unit.