20 Fun Infographics About Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.

Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step to efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.

It is crucial to understand that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit these variations.

Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a lower rate.

To increase the time of burning and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.

A well-dried firewood load is also essential to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce could be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If properly used however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

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

In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by burning the logs to a charcoal state which releases much 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 ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use  cheap wood burner  made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you 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. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold However, security precautions must be taken. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has 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 reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire going, but shouldn't be used for more than that. These soft woods contain resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. 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 absorbed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It could also pose a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from 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 yard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually checked for any blockages. Refer to  second hand wood burning stoves  for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.