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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical element of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean to function.

Green, wood burning Fires or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. 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 must be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best way to minimize the variations is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.

The amount of air being delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.

A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.

A firewood load that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had time to dry, it will have high water content that may make it difficult to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor wood burning stove air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When firewood is burned the volatile tars like creosote are also released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. When used correctly, however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood burning stoves for sale stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

Fireplaces and wood burners near me stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates, and other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gases and may release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Be cautious not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

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 soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. 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 prevent problems that could develop. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a large 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 not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a freestanding wood burner piece. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your woodburning fireplace and impede air flow. It could also pose a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gases.

You should remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and 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. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do this for your unit.