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

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential part of our health and wellbeing. But, they have to be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke 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 well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20%.

In addition, the quantity of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

A dry load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for 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 burns.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes up 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.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and are dangerous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.

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

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, block the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.


Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the moisture. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them.

small wood burner that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. When a lot of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. They are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure 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 removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly treated. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It also poses an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.

You should remove the ashes and store them in an ash bucket made of metal that you can keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for any blockages. Consult your user manual to find out how to do it for your unit.

Website: https://www.fireplacesandstoves.uk/categories/wood-burning-stoves