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 element of our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to function.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood is characterized by a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial process for efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. The best way to limit the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. When the air supply is insufficient the wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire all the oxygen it needs and quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce could be more affordable than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means they will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. shed wood burner include 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 is burned.
Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to create 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 used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by burning the logs to a charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing 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 produces more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, do not use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and create toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker, has cracks along the grain's end and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it frequently for signs of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.
top wood burning stoves suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These woods with resin and sap that when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may occur. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If wood burning stove for shed doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can cause chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a number of factors, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Consult your user manual to learn how to do it for your unit.