10 Myths Your Boss Has Regarding Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they must be hot and clean to work effectively.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most important step in efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to minimize these variations.

The amount of air being provided to a flame will also have a significant impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and will burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as far.

A well-dried load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high water content that can be difficult for logs to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. When used correctly, however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.

When used correctly Wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the problem by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of energy from the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, ensure that you utilize 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. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and shouldn't be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These softer woods have resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is important to maintain the fireplace to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of causes, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

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 then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is another harmful product of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It is also a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

indoor wood burning stove  should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out the procedure for your fireplace.