How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. However they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion admitted air over and below the fuel. This resulted in energy loss, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves employ a superior combustion principle that splits air supply into two stages. This results in greater efficiency in heating and lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in the wood stove is an indicator of how efficiently your wood is turned into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is the degree to which heat 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 burning Stove Small stoves boast high combustion efficiency due to their modern design. They maximize the burn and use less wood. These stoves also emit less emissions, especially stoves certified by the EPA that require a catalytic combustion combustor to clean exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are a great choice for homeowners who want to minimize their impact on our environment, while enjoying the warmth and comfort of a wood burning stove.

Enhancing the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of correct operation and maintenance. The most important factor is to control the process of combustion. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood regularly and ensuring a constant fire in the stove. This will prevent the buildup of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can make the stove less efficient.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of properly dried and seasoned wood with less than 20 percent. Dry, seasoned firewood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel, but will also cause less air pollution and smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other harmful substances that an appliance can release in an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves rely on secondary combustion or a catalytic combustor to manage combustion and reduce the amount of pollution they emit. If you want to find a wood burning stove that meets EPA emission standards, then search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate below 4 grams per hr.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves make use of the honeycomb combustor, which is made of ceramic and is coated with noble metals, such as palladium or platin. The combustor functions similarly to the catalyst in your car that cleans your exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with the chemicals and particulates in the smoke, breaking them 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 losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor is most efficient when the gas temperature in the flue is at least 1,000degF or greater. The combustor won't perform as efficiently if the fire is ignited in a low-flame.

Burning foreign substances, such as paper logs, treated or painted wood, can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these materials may cause "masking", which covers the combustor's cells with a substance, preventing it from functioning properly. Masking can occur due to closing the bypass damper too soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar build up, plugging could occur, which can cause smoke to leak out.

When properly operated and placed properly, will give years of reliable operation. It requires little maintenance other than getting rid of the soot off its surface following a prolonged burn and dusting it frequently with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor comes with a bypass damper which is open to begin the fire and closed when you're ready to reload your stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates the combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor may be decreased if you close the bypass damper prematurely. Closing the bypass too early could reduce the temperature of the combustor's inlet and cause damage to it. If you're unsure how to operate the bypass damper, consult the manual of your stove's instructions or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

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

The main air control situated either below or within the door of your stove, controls amount of air that is allowed to enter the firebox. More air means a quicker-burning fire but it also increases the chances of chimney smokiness and creosote buildup. Ideally, the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.

Once you have attained the desired level of heat then you can slowly shut the air control that is primary until the desired temperature has been attained. It is important to make sure that no smoke is emitted from the chimney or stove since this is a sign of poor combustion.

Secondary airflow controls feeds oxygen into the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets that are placed over your fire. This is the most important aspect of managing your fire. Without it, your fire will burn too quickly and will produce an excessive amount of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is a final stage of the airflow system of your stove and is directed into the updraft section or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your stove to function optimally.

It is crucial to remember that your wood stove was specifically designed and optimized for the purpose of burning wood for fire. Any other combustion fuel will not be able to burn in your wood stove, and may cause high levels of emissions and potentially chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable but it needs to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using manmade combustibles like cardboard and paper, as these can cause toxic fumes as well as buildups of creosote or ash within your stove. It is important to not place firewood or other combustibles on the top of your fire because this could cause the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a cost-effective alternative heat source, especially if you live in a region with frequent power outages. However, they can also be risky if they are used in a way that is not properly. They can release harmful chemicals that can harm your health. They can also create dangers to fire and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You can stay clear of these risks by implementing a few basic precautions.

Use only clean, dry wood for your stove. Do not make use of gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper, or any other flammable materials to start or rekindle a flame. Never burn treated wood painted wood, wet wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Always add wood in small amounts and don't let the fire smolder. If you are in a smoke-control room do not use an indoor fire.

Make sure your chimney and stove are properly installed. Poorly installed wood stoves can cause a fire in the chimney that could release toxic gasses into your home. Regularly checking and cleaning the chimney is essential. Check that the flue is not leaky, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed or under a sheet of tarp. This will help the wood to dry out and get into the season quicker. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the wood away from other heat sources. You should also place your electric stove heaters on a non-flammable flooring, such as tiled floors.

If you have children who are young ensure that you be sure to supervise them around the stove. They might attempt to touch the fire or play with the ash that is hot, which can be dangerous. You should also keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family members to practice fire drills at home. This will allow you to escape your home in the event of an emergency. Read our article on fire escape routes to ensure your home secure.