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How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. They are best made use of properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that did not use secondary combustion allowed air to enter the chimney and burn both above and below the multi fuel stove, click here to read, which resulted in the loss of energy and polluting.

Modern wood stoves use a superior combustion principle that splits air supply into two stages. This lets them increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of your wood stove is a measurement of the speed at which your wood is transformed into heat. It is different from the efficiency of heating transfer which is the quantity of heat that flows from your stove into a room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency in combustion and heating transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, such as ash, carbon monoxide, and steam.

Modern wood stoves have a high efficiency in combustion, due to their modern wood burning stove design. They maximize the burn while using less wood. They also tend to have low emissions particularly when using EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor that cleans emissions as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their impact on the surroundings, while still enjoying the warmth and comfort of a wood burning electric stove fire.

The improvement of the efficiency of your wood woodburning stove is a matter of correct operation and maintenance. The most important factor is to control the process of combustion. This is achieved by adding small pieces of wood frequently and maintaining a good flame in the stove. This will prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney that could reduce the efficiency of the stove.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent. Dry and seasoned wood will not only provide more heat for the same fuel and will emit less air pollution and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other harmful substances a new stove releases within an hour. To meet the EPA guidelines, the majority of modern wood stoves rely on secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to control combustion and minimize the amount of pollutants they release. To find a wood stove that meets the EPA emission standards, search for one that has an EPA certification sticker 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 in like the catalyst in your car works to clean the exhaust. When smoke passes through the combustor, at high temperatures, the noble metals react with particles and the chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the electric stove fireplace burn cleaner and lower emissions than non-catalytic models, without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs best when the temperature of the flue gas is at or above 1,000 degF. The combustor will not perform as efficiently if the fire is ignited in a low-flame.

Burning foreign materials, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, may damage the combustor. The burning of these materials could result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance that prevents it from performing in the way it was intended. Masking can also result from closing the bypass damper to soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could result in smoke spillage.

Properly operated and positioned the combustor can give years of reliable performance. It requires very little maintenance, aside from getting rid of the soot off its surface after a prolonged burn and dusting it periodically with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor has an bypass damper that is open to start the fire, and then closed to refill the stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which will indicate that your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor multi fuel stove will be diminished if you open the bypass damper too early. If you close the bypass damper too quickly will decrease the temperature at which the inlet is pumped to the combustor and may cause damage to it. Refer to the manual for your stove's instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department should you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary secondary, tertiary and primary air systems are all in place to allow your fire to burn effectively. Each air system plays a distinct part in the combustion process.

The main air control is located below or inside the stove's door. It controls the amount air that is able to enter the firebox. More air will burn the fire more quickly however it could also increase the chance of chimney smoke and creosote. Ideally, the primary air control should be opened for a short time when lighting your wood stove.

After the fire has developed enough heat, the main air control can be closed down gradually until you are satisfied with the amount of heat being produced. It is essential to ensure that no smoke is emitted from the chimney or stove since it is a sign of poor combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are used to inject oxygen into the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets placed above your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your fire. Your fire will be burning too quickly and produce large quantities of smoke if it is not controlled.

Tertiary airflow is the last stage of the stove's airflow system. It is directed into the updraft section or chimney. This helps to create an effective draft inside the flue, which allows your stove to operate at its highest efficiency.

It is important to note that the wood stove you have was designed and optimized to burn wood that is firewood only. Other types of combustibles do not burn in your wood stove, which can cause excessive emissions, and even chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice however, seasoned hardwood needs to be dried for at least 6 months. Avoid using combustibles made from cardboard and paper, as they can create toxic fumes as well as buildups of ash or creosote within your stove. It is important to avoid placing any firewood or other combustibles on top of your fire in case this causes them to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be an efficient alternative to heat sources particularly if you reside in an area that experiences frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also cause a fire hazard and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following simple safety guidelines.

Use only clean, dry wood for your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or revive fires. Never burn painted or treated wood. Keep the flue wide open to let in plenty of oxygen. Add wood in small amounts and don't let the fire smolder. If you're in a smoke-control room don't set up an indoor fire.

Check that your chimney and stove are installed correctly. Wood stoves that are not properly installed can ignite a fire in the chimney, which can release harmful gases into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also essential. Check that the flue is not leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Store your wood in a shed, or under a cover. This will allow the wood to dry out and get into the season quicker. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the wood from other sources of heat. It is recommended to put your stove on a non-flammable surface such as a tile floor.

If you have children, be sure to be sure to supervise them around the stove. They may try to play with the ash hot or even touch the fire which could be dangerous. It is recommended to keep all flammable objects at least three feet away from the stove. You should also consider installing an air shield to protect walls and other surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This will help you to escape your home in an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home secure, check out our article on escape routes for fire in the event of a house fire.