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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital part of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly. Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood is characterized by an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and keep a flame. Efficient Combustion A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue. It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations. Additionally, 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 greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted. To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a small area where the fire can not expand as far. A load of firewood that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry it will have a high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for the best performance. Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. If properly used however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days. Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by burning the logs to the state of charcoal that releases less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite 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 as it requires more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke that can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home. Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation. Safety There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote. Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them. Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If contemporary wood burning stoves own an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it frequently for signs of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going however should not be used for anything more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney. Maintenance A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold winter nights. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency. Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance 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 most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep look at here on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the lawn! It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually inspected for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out how to do this for your unit.