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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to work. cheap wood burning stoves , also known as unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning. Efficient Combustion A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue. It is vital to realize that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environment. The best way to minimize the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20 percent. In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited. To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to consume all oxygen available and will 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 far. A firewood pile that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months. The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds like benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. If used properly however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home. These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air. If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the log as usable heat. Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation. Safety There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently. Do not burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote. Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them. Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it frequently for signs of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire. The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These woods with resin and sap, which when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney. Maintenance Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might develop. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency. If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke. Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It is also an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite. The ashes should be removed and store them in an ash bucket made of metal 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! Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.