Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical part of our health and wellbeing. But, they have to be hot and clean to work effectively.

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

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial process for efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation 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. The best way to limit the variations is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20 percent.

Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. If the supply of air is not sufficient a wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a lower rate.

A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper can increase the burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as much.

A well-dried firewood load is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and 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 wood burning fires a period of six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting 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 aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood heater stove that is seasoned has been dried during 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. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood burner outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.

Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great 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 inspections of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.

When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger 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 number of factors, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and wood burning fires removal of ash.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. 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 is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It also poses a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.

Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the yard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. 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 that has an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.