Notes

The History Of Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean in order to work.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower 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 of 540 deg F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20%.

The quantity of air that is supplied to a fire will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.

A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a limited area, in which the fire cannot expand as much.

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

The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollutants, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. When firewood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. When used correctly however modern combustion technology in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce the risk of this by converting the wood to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. If fires are not constructed correctly 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 the flue, block the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered, but allowing air circulation to them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal liner, check it frequently for indications of wear. This could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire going but shouldn't be used for more than that. These softer woods have resin and sap, which when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might arise. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fail to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly treated. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.


Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It is also an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. This Internet site forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.

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