15 Things To Give Your Wood Burning Fires Lover In Your Life

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical element of our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to work.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to reduce the variations.

The amount of air being delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. If the supply of air is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate.

To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and 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 load of firewood that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to use only seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce could be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

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

Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. If properly used however modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by burning the logs to charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use 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 essential 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

It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, safety precautions must be taken. When  small wood burner  aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the house and creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep combustible objects, such as curtains, furniture and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near 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 stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.

Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These softer woods have sap and resin which when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. They are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of reasons, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

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

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible.

You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container, 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 yard!

Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out how to do it for your unit.