How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are a beautiful addition to any home. They should only be used with wood that has been properly seasoned.

Older stoves that did not use secondary combustion allowed air to get into the chimney, and burn above and below the fuel, causing energy loss and pollution.

Modern wood stoves utilize an advanced combustion method that separates the air supply into two stages. This allows them to increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing lower emissions levels.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in wood stoves is a measure of how well your wood is transformed into heat. It is distinct from the efficiency of heating transfer, which is the quantity of heat that flows from your stove to a room. A wood burning stove that has high combustion and heating transfer efficiencies will use less fuel and produce less waste, such as ash, carbon monoxide, and steam.

Modern wood stoves usually have high combustion efficiencies due to their sophisticated design features that enable them to maximize the burning and use less wood. These stoves also tend to emit very little emissions, particularly stoves certified by the EPA that require a catalytic combustor in order to purify exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These cleaner stoves make a great choice for homeowners looking to reduce their impact on our environment, while still enjoying the warmth and the comfort of a wood-burning stove.

Proper operation and maintenance will improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important factor is to control the combustion process. This can be achieved by adding small pieces of wood on a regular basis and maintaining a good fire in the stove. This will stop the accumulation of flammable creosote in the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another crucial aspect in the efficiency of wood stoves is the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood with less than 20%. Dry well-seasoned and seasoned wood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel, but will also cause less smoke and air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove can emit in an hour. Most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion or a catalytic combustor to reduce the amount of pollution and meet EPA guidelines. If you are looking for an wood-burning stove that meets EPA emission standards, then look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission rate below 4 grams per hr.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize the honeycomb combustor, which is made of ceramic and 913875.xyz is coated with noble metals such as palladium or platin. The combustor functions similarly to the catalyst in your car that cleans its exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with the particles and chemicals that are in the smoke and break them into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This enables the stove to have lower emissions and burn much cleaner than non-catalytic models without loss of heat output or efficiency. The combustor is the most efficient when the temperature of the flue gas is at least 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If the fire is burnt at a low temperature the gases inside the stove do not reach this temperature, and the combustor isn't functioning properly.

The combustor may be damaged by burning foreign substances such as trash, paper logs, treated or 913875 painted wood. The burning of these substances can result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance which prevents it from working in the way it was intended. Masking can also occur due to closing the bypass damper shortly or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells have not been cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and tar, a plugging may occur which causes smoke spillage.

When properly operated and placed it will last for years of efficient operation. It will require very little maintenance, other than cleaning the soot off its surface after a long burn and periodically dusting it off with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper which is opened to ignite the fire, and then closed when you're ready for reloading your stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates that your combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor will be decreased if you close the bypass damper too early. Closing the bypass damper too early will reduce the inlet temperature to the combustor and may cause damage to it. If you're unsure how to operate the bypass damper, refer to your stove's instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Control of Airflow

The air flow controls on your wood stove are vital to ensuring that the fire burns safely and properly. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each one plays a different role in the combustion process.

The air control is located either below or inside the stove's door. It controls the amount air that enters the firebox. More air will burn the fire more quickly however it could also increase the chance of chimney smoke and creosote. When you light your wood stove, the main air control should be open wide and for a short period of time.

When you have attained the desired level of heat, you can slowly close the primary air control until the desired heat is reached. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke since this is a sign of an inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls feeds oxygen into the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned over your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your flame. Without it, your fire will burn too quickly and create excessive amounts of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is the last stage of the stove's airflow system. It is fed into the updraft section or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to function at its peak.

It is important to keep in mind that the wood stove you have was designed and optimized to burn wood for fire only. Any other burning combustible won't burn as well in your wood stove, and may result in high levels emissions and possibly chimney fires. Softwood is also suitable, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using cardboard and paper because they release toxic fumes or cause creosote and ash to build within your stove. Avoid placing any logs or other combustibles on your stove as they may explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an excellent alternative to electricity, especially when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when utilized incorrectly. They can create harmful chemical substances that can be harmful to your health. They can also cause a fire hazard as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. You can avoid these dangers by taking a few simple safety measures.

Use only clean, dry wood for your stove. Never make use of gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid to start or rekindle fires. Never burn treated wood, painted wood or wet wood. Keep the flue open so that you can let plenty of oxygen into. Always add wood in small increments and don't let the fire burn out. If you live in a smoke-control zone don't set up an indoor fire.

Make sure that your chimney and stove have been properly installed. A poorly installed wood stove can ignite a fire in the chimney that could release harmful gasses into your home. Cleaning and inspecting the chimney is also crucial. Check that the flue isn't leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good idea to store your wood in a shed or Tarp. This will help the wood to dry and season faster. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the wood from other heat sources. It is also recommended to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as a tiled floor.

You must be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have any youngsters. They may try to play with the ash hot or touch the fire which can be hazardous. In addition, you should keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. You should also consider installing an air shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This will help you to get out of your home in case of emergency. Check out our article about ways to escape from fire to keep your home secure.