10 Mobile Apps That Are The Best For Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical aspect of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean to work.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use seasoned firewood with less than 20%.

In addition, the quantity of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. When the air supply is insufficient, a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a slower rate.

To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it can get and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also critical for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content that could make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce may be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. If properly used however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home.

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

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. 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, which can lead to 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 - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or in the home.

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 get rid of creosote and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold However, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Also, avoid using flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand 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. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

Be aware not to over-load your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that, when burned, deposit 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. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might develop. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep 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. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner, and an 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 wood piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It is also a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread  Fireplaces & Stoves  in 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, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your specific unit.