15 Presents For Your Wood Burning Fires Lover In Your Life

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 is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary process for efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. The best way to limit the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%.

In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, 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 lower rate.

To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much.

A firewood load that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning stoves small burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry, it will have high water content, which may make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for the best performance.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. If properly used, however, modern wood burner technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.

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

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

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned cheap wood burning stoves. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or around the house.

Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove working efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates, and other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace, Visit Sciencewiki,. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when it is tapped. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but allowing air circulation to them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going, but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of causes, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly prepared. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.

You should remove the ashes and put them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them around the yard!

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for blockages. Check your user's manual to learn how to do it for your particular unit.