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15 Astonishing Facts About Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood-burning fires aren't only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital aspect of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be clean and hot to work effectively.


Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial process for efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.

The quantity of air supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. wood burning stoves for sale will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

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

A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that isn't dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll 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 can trigger indoor air pollutants, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote can also be released.

Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used, can greatly reduce these emissions.

wood burning stoves for sale - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for warming your home.

In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the log as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make british wood burning stoves of them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold 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 deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to function as effectively.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They could emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapping. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them.

Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire going however should not be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a lot of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is another harmful product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It is also an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your unit.

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