Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical part of our wellbeing and health. However, they must be hot and clean to function effectively.
cast iron wood burner , or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations.
The amount of air being delivered to a fire will also have an important influence on its energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. The converse is true of the fire that is restricted to a limited area, in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A load of firewood that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry out, it will have high water content, which may 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 the best performance.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the wood to the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority 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 generates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.
Do not burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, in a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure source website know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Make more.. to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them.
Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire going however should not be used for more than that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly prepared. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. In the course of a 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, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It is also an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to combustible gases.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user's manual to learn how to do it for your unit.