Last Updated:
March 15, 2025

Click here to submit your article
Per Page :

spleeninsect2

User Name: You need to be a registered (and logged in) user to view username.

Total Articles : 0

https://www.fireplacesandstoves.uk/products/nrg-defra-8kw-eco-multifuel-portable-stove

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of woodburning fires is not just soothing and enchanting but also essential to our health and wellbeing They should be hot and clean to function Unseasoned or green wood is very moist which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content making it much easier to light and keep a flame Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F 900 degrees F in ideal conditions where the heatproducing secondary combustion process starts This is the most crucial step to efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke and creosote buildup in the flue It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions The best method to reduce these variations is by using wellseasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 The amount of air delivered to a fire can also have a significant impact on the energy output and time to burn The more oxygen available the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time A wood fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the burn time and efficiency A wideopen setting permits the fire to use up all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel available for use This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far A welldried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning When wood is cut just recently and hasnt had time to dry out it will have a high water content that may make it difficult for logs to burn For the best performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month Another factor 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 but the BTU values of the latter are more meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood Its important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress particularly for seniors and children These pollutants include volatile organic compounds VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzoapyrene that are carcinogenic When firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders volatile tars like creosote are also released Smoke from poorlydesigned wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog However new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology when used correctly can greatly reduce the emission Stage 1 Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue fireplacesandstovesuk requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home In the flue these vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we encounter on clear days If properly used wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoallike states that releases less volatile gasses and produces most of the energy from the logs as usable heat Avoid using damp sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote Also dont overload your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they create more smoke which can lead to chimney fires Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove and always wait until they cool before handling them Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly ashes can reignite when exposed to water and they can be hazardous 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 Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote particulates and other deposited matter This can also stop chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation Safety Its hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night However security precautions should be taken If fires are constructed incorrectly left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home Creosote also builds up in the chimney These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently Never burn treated or painted waste in your woodburning stove or fireplace They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide Dont use the flammable liquids to ignite fires Gasoline lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote Keep combustibles like furniture or curtains as well as toys at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove The wood that is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote On the other hand seasoned logs are more efficient and clear The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the grains end and makes a hollow sound when you tap it Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing with a breathable air circulate around them The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke but less warmth Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide If you have an older appliance with an insulated metal liner check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire The EPA suggests using split dry and wellseasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces Make a fire by using small pieces Avoid using soft woods like pine which can be a good for starting your fire up and running but should not be used for anything other than These soft woods contain resin and sap which when burned releases too much creosote in the chimney Maintenance The warmth of a woodburning fireplace is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems This prevents the buildup of creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency Creosote a dark hard flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesnt completely burn When a large amount of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires These are the second most frequent causes of house fires across the United States The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a number of reasons such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the chimneys liner and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal Creosote may build up in large amounts when wood isnt properly seasoned This is because up to half the weight of a piece wood is water During the fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood Soot is less brittle than creosote but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation It could also pose an ignition risk since it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gasses Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal Keep it outside on an unflammable surface Dont forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants Spread them all over your yard It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney creosote and soot levels a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst If you have a twostage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions Refer to your user manual for directions on how to do this for the particular unit you have

No Article Found