Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential element of our health and wellbeing. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to function effectively.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the first step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce the variations.

Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much.

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

Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For example white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements 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 comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. If used properly however, modern wood burning stove combustion technology in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up 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. It also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.

These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we see on clear days.

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

Avoid using damp or second hand Wood burner sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and can be dangerous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold, but security precautions should be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering 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 not to work as efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They could emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Also, avoid using the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items in a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire using small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which, when burned, deposit 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 receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fire to fully burn is caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning 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 and is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It could also pose a fire hazard because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

You should remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them around the backyard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and inspected visually for any blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your unit.