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What Freud Can Teach Us About Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a flame.

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 begins. This is the most crucial step in efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best way to minimize the variation is to use seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20%.

The quantity of air that is provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. 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 pile that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry, it will have high water content, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce may be less expensive 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 with the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. When used correctly however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to heat your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the log into usable heat.


Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to make use of them in your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the home and dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace to not work as efficiently.

Do not burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starting material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These softer woods have resin and sap, which is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

If cast iron wood burning stove doesn't fully burn it forms creosote 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. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place 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 around the backyard!

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 double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually checked for any blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.

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