5 Killer Quora Answers On Wood Burning Fires

wood burning fires (that guy) Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential part of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean in order to work.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be hot enough to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step to efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations.

The quantity of air being delivered to a fire will also have a significant influence on its temperature and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.

To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small wood burner area is less likely to spread.

A load of firewood that is well-dried is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and woodburning stoves can cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If properly used when used correctly, wood woodburning stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the logs as usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood burning stove for shed for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with brittle and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running 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 maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the house and creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They emit noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, avoid using the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.

Keep combustible materials, such as curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Wood that is seasoned looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.

Be aware 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 own an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods contain resin and sap that when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. It is essential to maintain your woodburning fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner, and the absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. During the fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It could also pose an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for obstructions. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your unit.