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10 Inspirational Graphics About Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean in order to work.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step to efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.

In addition, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.

A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. White pine and spruce could be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in 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 poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when properly used can drastically reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use 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 essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fire in the winter cold however, precautions for safety should be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.

Never burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going but should not be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.


Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. During modern wood burning stove and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them around the lawn!

Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.

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