Three Reasons Why 3 Reasons Why Your Wood Burning Fires Is Broken (And How To Fix It)

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential aspect of our health and wellbeing. However, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite 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

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are 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 keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.

In addition, the quantity of air that is supplied to a fire can significantly impact its heat output and burn 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 slowed.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A well-dried load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry, it will have high water content that can be difficult for logs 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. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, however, the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when used properly can significantly reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than when the log was dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by converting the logs into charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood 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 soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to make use of them in your garden or around 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 regularly is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote.

Keep  small wood burner , such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clear. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them.

Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce 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 iron liner, you should inspect it frequently for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.

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 good for starting your fire up and running but should not be used for anything more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might develop. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner, and a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the buildup of creosote in excess. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It is also an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

You should remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!

It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will 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 remove the catalyst and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user's manual to learn how to do this for your unit.