Why We Are In Love With Wood Burning Fires (And You Should Also!)

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. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount 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 ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use seasoned firewood with less than 20%.

Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is not sufficient, a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a slower rate.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as far.

small wood burner  that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can drastically reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home.

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.

If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen 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 as usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Do not overload your stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or in the house.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to get rid of creosote and particulate matter, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your 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 constructed incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, block airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Also, avoid using the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. Wood that is seasoned looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.

Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own 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 suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to spend winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

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

Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

Make sure you ensure 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 with an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do it for your particular unit.