At what point in the burn cycle does wood stop making cresote?

Woodburners Encyclopedia by Jay Shelton comes up on eBay from time to time. A few others are listed as well in the back of every Fisher manual, that one is the best.

Make sure any horizontal runs are pitched at least 1/4 inch per foot upwards toward chimney since the resistance to flow is like closing a flue damper partially, slowing velocity rising up the flue. The slower the velocity, the more particles stick. 6 X 6 or 36 square inches is fine but not optimum since you're expanding from 28 to 36. The square corners aren't used by swirling rising gasses but stay cooler decreasing overall flue temp. Draft goes by average flue gas temp which is not a simple calculation. Try to seal any clean out with insulation if it doesn't have a gasketed door. Missing mortar between joints is another air leak in that all adds up to lowering internal temps.

 

Great thread all!

 

Yeah, that is how I find all of life- I am constantly learning that how much I do not know about so many things is so many fields. A lot of it depends on how fine one looks at a situation: wood burning is a great example. On one end of the scale, you throw the wood into a confined space with a vent and set it on fire and poof! heat comes out. On the other end, a person can spend a lifetime studying just the basics of the chemistry and physics behind what at first seems like a simple thing- burning wood for heat.

But the 'Net is a fantastic asset for both types of people I think; short, simple answers for people who want them ('use well seasoned wood'), and more complex discussions for those who want to go down that path.

Brian

 

Basically, dry wood and burn it hot!

 

A non-commercial service in support of responsible home heating with wood - How to Build & Maintain a Wood Fire

 

Snagged one...$3.99 shipped. Thanks!

 

You'll find it's not an A to Z book like a encyclopedia, it has chapters on different subjects and covers every aspect and then some of "how to use wood most effectively for heating purposes". It uses footnotes through out the book and has a glossary and 5 appendixes in the back that are invaluable.

 

It's pretty simple for the most part, a hot fire is an efficient fire!

 

And the # 1 wise azz simplistic answer is ( drum roll ) when the fire is completely out.


( just had to )