Wood Burning Stove: The History Of Wood Burning Stove In 10 Milestones

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be a beautiful addition to any home. However they should be used only with properly seasoned logs.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion allowed air to pass through over and below the fuel, resulting in energy loss, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.

modern white vertical stove radiator: perfect designer addition wood stoves use a superior combustion principle that separates air supply into two phases. This lets them increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing less emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in wood stoves is an indicator of how efficiently the wood you use is turned into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the quantity of heat that is transferred from the stove to the room. A wood-burning stove with high efficiency in combustion and heating efficiency will require less fuel and produce less waste, such as steam and carbon monoxide.

Modern wood stoves usually feature high combustion efficiency because they feature sophisticated NRG 5KW Eco Design Portable Stove: Perfect Heating Solution features which allow them to maximize the burning and make use of less wood. They also have low emissions, especially when using EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor that cleans emissions as they leave the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are a great choice for homeowners who want to reduce their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure the combustion process is controlled, which is accomplished by maintaining a flame in the stove through regular additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will prevent the build-up of flammable Creosote in the chimney, which could make the stove less efficient.

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

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other harmful substances a new US Stove US1269E: Premium Cast Iron Wood Stove releases in an hour. To meet the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves use a secondary combustion process or a catalytic combustor to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollution they emit. To find a wood stove that is in line with the EPA emission standards, look for one with an EPA certification label and an emission limit of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves utilize honeycombed combustor made of ceramic coated with noble metals such as palladium or platinum. The combustor functions similarly to the catalyst in your car that cleans the exhaust. The noble metals contained in the combustor react with particles and chemicals that are in the smoke breaking them into harmless products like carbon dioxide and water.

This enables the stove to have lower emissions and burn more efficiently than other models without sacrificing the heat output or efficiency. The combustor is most efficient when the temperature of the gas in the flue is 1000degF or greater. When the fire is lit in a low-flame, the gases inside the stove don't attain this temperature and the combustor will not function properly.

The combustor may be damaged by burning foreign substances like trash, paper logs, treated or painted wood. The burning of these materials could cause "masking" that covers the cells of the combustor with a substance that stops it from functioning in the way it was intended. Masking can also occur due to closing the bypass damper quickly or refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cells are not cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and tar build up, plugging could occur, causing smoke spillage.

The combustor, when properly operated and positioned, will provide years of reliable operation. It will require little maintenance other than cleaning the soot off its surface after a prolonged burn and then dusting it with a soft, dry brush.

The combustor comes with a bypass damper which is opened to ignite the fire and closed when you're ready to load your stove. Examine the bypass damper for the "operate catalyst" indicator which shows when your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor could be decreased if you close the bypass damper prematurely. If you close the bypass damper too early will reduce the inlet temperature to the combustor and could damage it. Check the manual of your stove for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department should you require assistance.

Control of Airflow

Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each one plays a different part in the combustion process.

The main air control is located beneath or inside the stove's door. It regulates the amount of air that enters the firebox. More air will burn the fire faster but it could also increase the risk of smoke and creosote. The ideal is that the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.

Once you've reached the desired heat level You can gradually close the air control that is primary until the desired heat is achieved. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke, as this could indicate inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen to the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned above your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of managing your fire. Without it your fire will be burning too quickly and will produce excessive amounts of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is the last stage of the airflow system of your stove and is carried into the updraft area or chimney. This helps to create strong draft in the flue and allows your stove to operate at its maximum efficiency.

It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove has been specifically designed and optimized to burn wood for fire. Other types of combustion fuel will not be able to burn in your wood stove and can result in high levels emissions and possibly chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for a minimum of 6 months. Avoid using cardboard and paper since they could release toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build within your stove. It is also a good idea to avoid placing any wood or other combustibles over the top of your stove because this could cause the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an excellent alternative to electricity, particularly when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. However, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly. They can create harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also cause a fire hazard and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can reduce these dangers by taking simple safety precautions.

Make sure to use only clean, dry firewood for your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or ignite fires. Never burn treated wood, painted wood or wet wood. Keep the flue open to let plenty of oxygen in. In small amounts, add wood and don't let the fire smolder. Do not use a fireplace indoors even if you're in a smoking control area.

Make sure your stove and chimney have been properly installed. A poorly constructed wood stove can cause an unintentional chimney fire that can release harmful gasses into your home. Regularly checking and cleaning the chimney is essential. Make sure that the flue is not leaky, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep your wood in a shed, or under a sheet of tarp. This will allow the wood to dry and grow faster. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the wood from other heat sources. You should also put your stove on a non-flammable surface like a tiled floor.

If you have children make sure you supervise them around the stove. They may try to play with the hot ash or even touch the fire, which is dangerous. It is recommended to keep all flammable items at least three feet away from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family members to practice fire drills at home. This will make it easier to get out of your home in case of emergency. For more information on how to keep your home safe take a look at our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a house fire.