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14 Misconceptions Common To Wood Burning Fires
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 aspect of our health and wellbeing. They should be hot and clean in order to work.

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

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.

The amount of air being provided to a flame can also have a significant impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.

A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn 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 a fire that is confined to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as far.

A load of firewood that is well-dried is also vital for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry, it will have high levels of water, which could make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For instance white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote also get released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If properly used however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry 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 produce smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by burning the logs to a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Be wood burners for sale to store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. If fires are constructed incorrectly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use find out here for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have 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 recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are good for starting your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for anything other than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.


Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to warm up during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential 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 avoid any issues. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. wood burning stoves for sale is also an ignition risk since it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gasses.

The ashes should be removed and put them in a metal ash container that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them around the lawn!

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Check your user's manual to find out how to do it for your unit.

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