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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they have to be hot and clean for them to function properly. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire. Efficient Combustion A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the primary step to efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue. It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%. Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is limited, however a wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate. To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it needs and quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as far. A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry it will have a high water content that may make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months. The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. White pine and spruce could be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which are carcinogenic. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released. Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce the emission. Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to heat your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we see on clear days. Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the logs into charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy contained 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. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home. Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation. Safety There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, block airflow, and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and create toxic creosote. Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them. Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace 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 an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire. The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. wood burner is a great fuel for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal. Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke. Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It is also an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the lawn! It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for instructions on how to do this for your particular unit.