3 Reasons The Reasons For Your Wood Burning Fires Is Broken (And How To Repair It)

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

Unseasoned, or green, cast iron wood burner is very moist which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step to efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation 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. Use seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations.

In addition, the quantity of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate.

A Wood Burning Stoves stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a small area where the fire can not expand as far.

A firewood pile that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance.

Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. If properly used however, modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.

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

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

If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke which can cause 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 correctly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you make use of them in your garden or around the house.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold, but precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are improperly built or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the house and creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your Wood burner clearance sale-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas mature logs are more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going, but shouldn't be used for more than that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

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

Creosote may build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. During the fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It can also be an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your backyard!

It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, 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 visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.