Notes

A Brief History History Of Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just soothing and enchanting but also essential to our health and well-being. However, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step in efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best way to minimize the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 percent.

The quantity of air being delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on its temperature and burning time. indoor wood burner of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far.

A load of firewood that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry out it will have a high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.

Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. If properly used, however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for heating your home.

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we see on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the wood 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 for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or in the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and create toxic creosote.


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

Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when it is tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.

Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce smoke in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that, when burned, deposit large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second most common causes of house fires across the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is due to the fact that up to half of 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 in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and adhere to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your backyard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.

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