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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. However, they must be hot and clean to function effectively. Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content 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 A wood fire must be hot enough to push 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 minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue. It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. The best way to minimize the variations is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent. The quantity of air being supplied to a fire can also have a significant impact on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited. A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread. A well-dried firewood load is also essential to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine month. Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When firewood is burned the volatile tars like creosote can also be released. Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If properly used, however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes up the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home. The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air. Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the logs into the state of charcoal that releases less volatile gasses, and producing 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 generates more creosote. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner – ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or at the house. Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely. Safety It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold, but security precautions should be taken. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently. Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and cause toxic creosote. Keep indoor wood burner like curtains, furniture and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware 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 throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered, but allowing air circulation to them. Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire. The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire up and running but should not be used for anything more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney. Maintenance A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency. When wood burning stove for shed doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, 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 burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash. Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly treated. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke. Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It can also be an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gases. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the backyard! Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If wood burning stove for shed have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Consult your user manual to learn the procedure for your fireplace.