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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital part of our health and wellbeing. However, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to light and keep a flame. Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue. wood burning stoves for sale is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. The best way to limit the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20%. Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted. To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small area is less likely to spread. A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry it will have a high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance. The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly can significantly reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization of Moisture: As the log warms 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 wastes energy which could be used to heat your home. In the flue, these vapors combine 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 we encounter on clear days. If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and produces most of the energy from the log into usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or at the home. Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely. Safety There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively. Do not burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote. Keep wood burning fireplace as furniture, curtains and toys, in 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 very hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and clear. Seasoned see is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing with a breathable air circulate around them. Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may develop. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. When a lot of creosote is accumulated it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most common cause of house fires across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of reasons, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash. Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke. Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It also poses a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible. The ashes should be removed and put them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn the procedure for your unit.