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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 an essential aspect of our health and wellbeing. However, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly. Green, or unseasoned wood is very moist which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a flame. Efficient Combustion The wood fire must be hot enough to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step to efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue. see is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. The best way to minimize the variations is to use seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20 percent. The amount of air being provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its energy output and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited. 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. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much. A load of firewood that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance. Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce could be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If used properly, however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization moisture: As the log gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried before burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use heating 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 one of the main sources of smog we experience on clear days. Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce the risk of this by converting the wood to a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gasses, and producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to 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 produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home. Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation. Safety It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night, but security precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively. Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote. Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them. The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire. The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain 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 method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid problems that may develop. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency. Creosote, a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not burn completely. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. They are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to burn completely can be caused by a number of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal. Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. Water can comprise 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 as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It could also pose a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of 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 backyard! It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and inspected visually for any blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do it for your particular unit.