10 Top Mobile Apps For Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean in order to function.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial process for efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize the variations.

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

A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.

A well-dried load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can create indoor air pollutants, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens 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. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.

cast iron wood burner  from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside, making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into a charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Make use of 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. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold However, safety precautions should be taken. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.

Never burn treated, painted, or  cast iron wood burner  in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce smoke in your home. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great fuel for an open flame, but should not be used for more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm evening in front of a fireplace with wood is a great option to relax during winter evenings. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner, and a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can accumulate in large amounts when wood isn't properly prepared. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is another harmful product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It can also be a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gases.

The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!

Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your fireplace.