The Process of Burning Wood

Efficiency Within the Process

Complete wood burning combines hydrocarbons and oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water at 100 percent. Rarely does this happen except in a lab under controlled conditions. Smoke is an indicator of waste or inefficiency in the burning process and the side products created are numerous. These include carbon dioxide, creosote and even elemental carbon, or soot. Wood stoves and fireplaces can be regulated to control airflow and approach an almost perfect burn. You can tell by the blue flame versus a yellow one with smoke emitting a distinct odor. For example, consider a typical wood burner.

Tips on Building a Fire

After your certified wood burner has been properly installed, you can look to fire wood that is the right size and condition. Season wood for at least six months, storing split wood aboveground and covered, outdoors. The fire can be started using clean newspaper or dry kindling wood. Burn hot, bright fires and let them burn down to coals. Then rake the coals toward the air inlet and mound them; they should not be spread out flat. Avoid adding one piece of wood at a time. Refuel your wood burner with at least three pieces of wood per charge behind the mound of coals. Use smaller fires in warmer weather. Cooking and drying wet clothes can be performed over smaller fires using the radiant heat from the wood burner to dry, Watch the steam roll off and enjoy a soothing hot toddy to help ward off the dampness.

Safety, Burning Practices and Maintenance

One should never smell smoke. It is unhealthy and may indicate a carbon monoxide buildup is present or beginning. Install smoke monitors and carbon dioxide monitors both because it is the law in many places but, most importantly, it may save your life and those of your loved ones. Follow the basics. Keep all flammables away from your wood burner. Start fires with only clean newspaper and dry kindling. Don't use green or wet logs. Artificial logs made from wax and sawdust are intended for open-hearth fireplaces and should not be used in your wood-burning stove either. Always build small hot fires and keep the doors closed on wood burners as much as possible. Remove ashes frequently and store them outdoors in a sealed metal container. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand at all times and make sure you have it charged. Finally, annually inspect the flue and chimney for soot buildup and clean out with a stiff brush as necessary to prevent fire.

Now you are ready to enjoy your wood heating and safely reap the cost benefits of an energy source that you, perhaps with your friends and/or neighbors, control yourself.

References

• Wood Burning Efficiency and Safety