https://www.fireplacesandstove.com/categories/wood-burning-stoves The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire A wood-burning fire is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. However, it can also produce toxic combustion products. It is essential to know the way wood burns and how to use your fireplace properly. Choose seasoned or kiln-dried logs. Logs that are seasoned hold less moisture, and they can burn hotter and longer than unseasoned logs. Burning Time Burning wood to produce heat is a common and efficient method of heating. However, this kind of fire can release outdoor and indoor emissions that can be hazardous to the health of humans. A well-designed fireplace can help reduce the negative effects of burning wood. The length of time that a wood fire lasts is determined by the temperature at which it is. The temperature of the wood fire will influence the amount of smoke that is produced and the amount of carbon monoxide that is released. If the levels of carbon monoxide are high, they could hinder the escape of people from a building that is burning. To avoid this, it is crucial to keep the fire at the lowest temperature. In the first phase of a wood fire volatile gases such as methane and methanol are released from the cellulose of the wood. These gases are combustible or non-combustible, depending on the moisture content and pyrolysis temperature of the sample. The temperature of pyrolysis can rise to around 350 degrees Celsius. At this point the cellulose begins to break down and form tar and charcoal. This process is known as wood pyrolysis. Burning wood releases other toxic combustion products like dioxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and PAHs. PAHs are known to cause cancer and other ailments in humans and animals. They can also contaminate water and soil. The wood must be burned in a space which is adequately ventilated to limit the impact of PAHs. A wood stove that has an extended burn capacity can maintain visible flames while using a minimal amount of fuel. Thi