Smoke is a byproduct that’s created when organic matter, including wood, burns.
Whether you use a fireplace, a fire pit or a wood heater it will probably produce smoke. As a result, many people assume that it’s normal for wood-burning fires to produce lots of smoke. The reality is that excess smoke is an indicator of the wrong type of wood, green or unseasoned wood, the issue with the operation of the wood heater or even a problem with the wood heater itself.
If you can see or smell smoke from your wood heater, then you are causing a problem for yourself, your family and your neighbours. Smoke from wood heaters is a major cause of air pollution. Not only is a smoking fire wasting your money and ruining your wood burning experience, but the air pollution it causes can also affect your health, causing physical discomfort for those with respiratory problems especially older people and young children.
Why does my wood heater smoke?
One of the most common reasons why a wood heater smokes is due to poor quality burning wood that is green or unseasoned. Wood needs to be dry and seasoned to burn efficiently in a fire. Wood that is freshly cut is high in moisture content, which is why wood needs to be dried out (known as seasoning) over a period of time before it’s dry enough to be used on a fire without causing issues.
When the wood is being burnt inefficiently, such as when the wood is green or too wet, more smoke can be produced as a result. Small amounts of smoke can be part of the normal operation of a wood burning heater. If you’re seeing unusual amounts of smoke being produced, check to see whether you’re using wood that has been ‘Well - Seasoned’ or ‘Kiln Dried‘, as these terms typically denote wood that has been dried long enough to be used as firewood.
Choose Quality Redgum Firewood
In addition to being dry, you should always choose firewood cut from hardwood trees. To minimize the amount of smoke your wood-burning fires produce, only use dry Redgum firewood. The best wood around the Adelaide area is Well- Seasoned Lumbajak Redgum Firewood.
The Firewood Association calls for wood to be less than 25% moisture, but we go further to ensure that our Premium Grade Redgum Firewood is less than 20% moisture, making it several times drier than fresh firewood and green firewood. Lumbajak Firewood lights easily, burns brighter & longer and produces little to no smoke when burned.
Increase Airflow
Another way to prevent excess wood heater smoke is to increase airflow. All fires need both organic matter and oxygen to burn. Without either of these elements, they’ll burn out. Starving or otherwise restricting your fire of fresh air will also cause its temperature output to drop. With greater airflow, your fire will burn brighter and hotter, resulting in less smoke.
Other reasons your wood heater might be smoking include:
· A blocked chimney
· A problem with the draw of your chimney
· Ventilation problems
· You’re using the wrong fuel
The bottom line is that it’s not normal for a wood-burning fire to produce a lot of smoke, and this excess smoke is a sign of poor quality firewood or wood heater itself.
Ignite perfection & experience the Lumbajak Firewood Difference. An unmatched firewood experience from start to finish.