So , You've Bought Wood Burning Fires ... Now What?

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting but also essential to our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot to work effectively.

Unseasoned, or green, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations.

In addition, the quantity of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far.

A well-dried firewood load is also critical for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry, it will have high water content, which could make it difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For instance white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors 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 wood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote can also be released.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could 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 in a safe manner - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or at the home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, precautions for safety should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, like furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be  wood burning stoves small  not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for indications of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going, but should not be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect method to relax during the cold winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. In  very small wood burner  of a fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gasses.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. 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 checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for any blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn the procedure for your unit.