As a trusted chimney repair company serving the Portland, Oregon area, Portland Fireplace and Chimney is committed to helping homeowners enjoy safe and efficient wood burning. When used properly, wood-burning appliances can provide warmth and ambiance while minimizing smoke and environmental impact. In this article, we’ll share some best practices for building efficient fires, safely operating your wood-burning appliance, and avoiding materials that can release toxic chemicals.
Choosing the Right Firewood
The foundation of an efficient, clean-burning fire is properly seasoned firewood. Here are some tips for selecting and preparing your wood:
- Hardwoods vs. Softwoods: Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory are denser and burn longer, making them ideal for extended fires. Softwoods like pine and cedar are less dense and burn quickly, making them suitable for kindling or shorter fires.
- Seasoning Your Wood: Freshly cut wood contains a high percentage of water, which can lead to excessive smoke and inefficient burning. To properly season your wood, store it outdoors, off the ground, with only the top covered for at least six months. Well-seasoned wood should have a moisture content below 20%, which you can test using a moisture meter.
- Buying Local: Portland Fireplace and Chimney recommends purchasing locally sourced firewood to reduce the risk of transporting invasive pests that can harm our forests. Additionally, burning firewood that was cut within 50 miles of your home supports local economies and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Building an Efficient Fire
Once you have properly seasoned firewood, it’s essential to use the right techniques to build an efficient, clean-burning fire:
1. Start with Kindling: Begin your fire with newspaper, dry kindling, or all-natural fire starters. Avoid using flammable liquids like gasoline or kerosene, which can cause dangerous flare-ups and release toxic chemicals.
2. Use the Top-Down Method: Stack larger logs on the bottom, followed by smaller logs and kindling on top. This method allows the fire to burn from the top down, resulting in a cleaner, more efficient burn.
3. Maintain Proper Airflow: Ensure your wood-burning appliance has adequate airflow to support efficient combustion. Regularly remove ashes and avoid overfilling the firebox, which can restrict airflow and lead to smoldering fires.
Safe Operation of Your Wood-Burning Appliance
In addition to building efficient fires, it’s crucial to follow safety guidelines when operating your wood-burning appliance:
1. Keep Flammable Items Away: Maintain a safe distance between your wood-burning appliance and flammable items like curtains, furniture, and books to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
2. Use a Fireplace Screen: Install a mesh metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks and embers from escaping and causing damage or injury.
3. Monitor Carbon Monoxide Levels: Wood-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and keep the doors of your wood-burning appliance closed unless loading or stoking the fire.
4. Regularly Remove Ashes: Allow ashes to cool completely before removing them from your wood-burning appliance. Place them in a covered, metal container and store them outdoors on a non-flammable surface.
Materials to Avoid Burning
To protect your health, your wood-burning appliance, and the environment, never burn the following materials:
- Treated wood, painted wood, or any wood containing glue or resin
- Plastics, rubber, or foam
- Household waste, including cardboard, paper with colored ink, and food waste
- Coal or charcoal
- Driftwood, which can release salt and other chemicals that corrode your appliance
By following these best practices and avoiding harmful materials, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of your wood-burning appliance while minimizing smoke, maximizing efficiency, and protecting your health and the environment.
At Portland Fireplace and Chimney, our experienced technicians are available to help you maintain your wood-burning appliance, ensuring it operates safely and efficiently for years to come. Contact us today to schedule your annual chimney inspection and cleaning or to discuss upgrading to a more efficient, EPA-certified wood stove or fireplace insert.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/best-wood-burning-practices
https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits/pages/firewood.aspx
FAQ
What are the risks of burning trash in my fireplace?
The big risk is that the materials you burn emit odors, unhealthy chemicals, or pollutants into your living space. When inhaled, it can cause health issues. We firmly do not recommend burning anything but wood in a safe manner from your fireplace.
What is the ideal type of firewood to burn?
Our recommendation if you want a hot fire that is environmentally friendly is to burn hardwood sources within 50 miles of where you live in Oregon. We love locally sourced wood fuel because it lowers the transportation but also is going to emits smoke that the environment is well equipped to handle. There is no shortage of oak, maple, or hickory in and around Portland.
Why should I avoid using gasoline or kerosene to start my fire?
The big reason to avoid using gasoline and kerosene is the emissions. In the condensed space that is your hearth, burning fuels can cause unhealthy particulates to permeate your home and get into your furniture and lungs. It’s a lot safer and cozier to start the fire yourself. Since you aren’t out camping and are likely not freezing in your living room as you start the fire, take your time using kindling and newspaper to get your fire blazing hot.
How can I be certain my fireplace has proper airflow?
The easiest way is to put your head into the hearth and look up the flue. If you have any concern at all about your chimney’s ability to let out the air then schedule a chimney inspection from a professional to be certain!
How can I minimize smoke in my home?
The best way to minimize smoke from your fires in your home is to make sure that you are using your fireplace properly and keeping it in good shape. Don’t use your fireplace beyond its acceptable limits or use alternative fuel types if your fireplace isn’t built for it. Also, schedule regular maintenance checks and chimney cleaning to make sure that the flue, masonry, and entire system is operating correctly. You do not want to risk carbon monoxide emissions in your home when your real intention was to create a cozy living room to make memories.
How can I monitor carbon monoxide levels in my home?
The easiest way to monitor the carbon monoxide levels is to install carbon monoxide detectors, especially in the areas near your fire. These can be bought on Amazon, are as easy to install as fire detectors, and will go off if carbon monoxide levels exceed a certain level. Because carbon monoxide is so insidious in the way it inflicts damage we highly recommend having these installed.