small wood burner Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital part of our wellbeing and health. However, they must be clean and hot to function effectively.
Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the first step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize the variations.
The quantity of air provided to a flame will also have an important impact on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
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 gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A firewood pile that is well-dried is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that isn't 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 optimal performance.
Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is burned the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If used properly, however, modern combustion technology in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.
If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly as ashes can ignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or in the home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. 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 evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace to not work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when tapping. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.
Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to help reduce smoke in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are good starter material to get your fire going, but shouldn't be used for more than that. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
modern wood burning stove may build up excessively when wood is not properly treated. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them around the backyard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut 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 blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.