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How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves are an attractive addition to any home. However it is important to use them only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion admitted air over and below the fuel, resulting in the loss of energy, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves employ superior combustion methods that separates the air supply into two phases. This lets them achieve higher heating efficiencies with lower emissions levels.

Efficient Combustion

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

Modern wood stoves have high combustion efficiency due to their modern design. They can maximize the burning while using less wood. They also have low emissions and are especially effective with EPA certified stoves that require a specific catalytic combustor that cleans emissions as they leave the electric stove heaters. These cleaner stoves are a good option for homeowners looking to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

Proper operation and maintenance can improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important factor is to ensure the combustion process is controlled. This can be achieved by maintaining a fire in the stove with frequent additions of small pieces of wood at regular intervals. This will prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote inside the chimney which can reduce the efficiency of the stove.

Another important factor in the effectiveness of wood stoves is to use properly dried and seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20 percent. Dry, seasoned wood will not only offer more heat for the same fuel, but it will also create less air pollution and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines to limit the amount smoke and wood stove other pollutants a new stove can emit within an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to minimize emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. To find a wood stove that is in line with the EPA emission standards, search for one with an EPA certification sticker and an emission limit of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize a honeycomb combustor made of ceramic that is coated with noble metals like palladium or platin. The combustor operates in like the car's catalyst does to clean your exhaust. When smoke passes through the combustor, at high temperatures, noble metals react with particles and the chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down into harmless end products like carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove emit less carbon dioxide and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models without loss of efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs best when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. When the fire is burned in a low-flame the gases in the stove aren't able to reach this temperature, and the combustor won't function properly.

The combustor may be damaged by burning foreign materials such as trash, paper logs, treated or painted wood. The burning of these substances can result in "masking" that covers 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 to shortly or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cell is not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could cause smoke spillage.

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

The combustor comes with an bypass damper that is open to start the fire, and then closed to reload the stove. Check the bypass damper for the "operate catalyst" indicator that indicates if your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor may be diminished if you open the bypass damper too early. Closing the bypass too soon could lower the temperature of the combustor's inlet and cause damage to it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, refer to the instruction manual for your stove or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

Air flow controls are essential to ensure that your wood stove burns safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each air system plays a distinct part in the combustion process.

The primary air control is located below or inside the stove door. It controls the amount air that enters the firebox. More air will ignite the fire more quickly however it could increase the possibility of chimney smoke and creosote. When you light your wood stove, the main air control should ideally be extended wide and for a brief period of time.

Once you have attained the desired level of heat You can gradually close the primary air control until the desired temperature is achieved. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke since this is a sign of inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen into the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets that are placed over your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your fire. Your fire could burn too fast and produce excessive amounts smoke without it.

Tertiary airflow is a final stage of the stove's airflow system. It is directed into the updraft section or chimney. This makes a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to perform optimally.

It is essential to keep in mind that your wood stove has been specifically designed and optimized for the purpose of burning wood for fire. Any other combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove and could result in high levels emissions and potentially chimney fires. The best kind of combustible to use is seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at minimum six months, but softwood is equally effective. Avoid using paper and cardboard as they can emit toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build up in your stove. It is also recommended to avoid placing firewood or other combustibles on the top of your fire because this could cause the fire to explode.

Safety

contemporary wood burning stoves-burning stoves can be an affordable alternative to heating particularly if you live in a location that has frequent power outages. However, they can also be risky if they are used in a way that is not properly. They can produce harmful chemical substances that could be harmful to your health. They also can cause fire hazard and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can reduce these dangers by taking simple safety guidelines.

Use only dry, clean wood for your stove. Do not use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper or other flammable materials to start or rekindle fire. Never burn painted or treated wood. Keep the flue open so that you can let plenty of oxygen in. Add wood in small amounts and do not let the fire burn to ashes. If you're in a smoke-control zone don't use an indoor fire.

Make sure that your chimney and stove are properly installed. Poorly installed wood stoves can cause a fire in the chimney, which could release harmful gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also crucial. Ensure that the flue isn't flowing, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Store your wood in a shed or under a tarp. This will help the wood to dry and grow faster. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the wood away from other heat sources. You should also place your woodburner stove on an inflammable surface like a tiled floor.

If you have children ensure that you be sure to supervise them around the stove. They might try to touch the fire or play with the ash that is hot, Wood Stove which could be risky. You should also keep all flammable items at least three feet from the electric stove fireplace. 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 help you to get out of your home in the event of an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home secure take a look at our article on escape routes to a fire in case of a house fire.