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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing but is also vital to our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly. Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to light and burn for longer. Efficient Combustion The fire in the wood must be hot enough to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue. It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce the variations. The amount of air delivered to a fire will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited. To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it can get and quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread. A well-dried load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that isn't dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance. corner wood burner is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt. Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. When used correctly, however modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we see on clear days. Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by converting the logs into the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they create more smoke which can cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should utilize them in your garden or at the home. Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation. Safety There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently. Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote. Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture. corner wood burner that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them. Be cautious not to overload your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire. The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke. Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It can also be a fire hazard because it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly 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 visually checked for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your fireplace.