wood burning fires (Click On this site) Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital element of our wellbeing and health. They should be hot and clean to be effective.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. The Best wood burning stoves method to reduce the variation is to use seasoned firewood with less than 20 percent.

The amount of air being supplied to a fire can also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood burning stove for shed fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.

A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as far.

A firewood load that is well-dried is also vital for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood burning stoves near me that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot 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 for optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For example white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust however, the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. 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 irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which are carcinogenic. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote are also released.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If used properly however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use heating your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could 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 correctly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or in the house.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, [Redirect Only] like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. The cast iron wood burner that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starting material for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These softer woods have sap and resin which 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 nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It could also pose a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside wood burners on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!

Regularly have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do it for your unit.