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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 aspect of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work. Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a fire. Efficient Combustion The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). wood burning stoves ideas 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 needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best way to minimize the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent. In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. When the air supply is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate. A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread. A load of firewood that has been properly dried is vital for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry, it will have high levels of water, which may make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months. The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns. Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used, can greatly reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization of moisture: As the wood warms, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days. If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke that 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. wood burning stove in conservatory or dispose of ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Instead, you should utilize them in your garden or around the house. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation. Safety There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not constructed correctly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, block airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently. Do not burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Also, avoid using the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires. Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. 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 fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned is darker, has cracks along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them. Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney. The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are good for starting 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 fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is essential to maintain the fireplace to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could arise. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner, and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly treated. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. During cast iron wood burner , this water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard! It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. 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 chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn the procedure for your fireplace.