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SCOTTY WOOD FURNACE – INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Scotty
Oct-06
5
CREOSOTE
Wood combustion is never 100% complete. Wood smoke always contains some
unburned gases and a mixture of unburned tar-like liquids. A percentage of these
materials will condense out on any cool surface, leaving a dark brown or black
substance with an unpleasant acrid odour. This substance is commonly called
creosote.
These wood gases condense out on cool surfaces such as a cold chimney or a long
smoke pipe; they retain large amounts of water and will be very fluid. At higher
temperatures the condensed creosote will resemble tar (thick and tacky).
Creosote generation is highest during low heat outputs common with long smoldering
burns. Creosote generation is lowest during high heat outputs common with intense
fires. It is recommended that a small intense fire be used for best results against
creosote build up even though the wood furnace will require refueling more often.
Creosote generation is also higher when burning green wood. The moisture in the
green wood absorbs the heat from the fire, cooling the fire below the point at which the
creosote can be consumed. The low temperature smoke is then further cooled in the
upper furnace chambers’ smoke pipe and chimney allowing large amounts of creosote
to form.
To reduce creosote build-up during periods of low heat requirements (i.e. Spring and
Fall) it is recommended to fuel the wood furnace with smaller quantities of smaller
diameter logs. Matching fuel loads and heat requirements will generally result in
cleaner combustion and higher efficiency.
IN CASE A SERIOUS CREOSOTE FIRE BEGINS:
a) Close the damper door by disconnecting chain
b) Close all draft regulators
c) Throw 1/2 lb of coarse or table salt on the fire and close door immediately.
d) Call the FIRE DEPARTMENT at once!
Have a firmly established Emergency Procedure in place for the handling of a flue fire.
1.3 STORAGE OF WOOD
Once cut, green wood dries (or seasons), quickly at first and then at a slower and
slower rate. When the wood has been cut to the proper length and split, it should be
piled outside during the summer months. Place two poles on the ground to serve as
rails to keep the firewood off the moist ground. Stack the wood so that both ends of the
logs are exposed to the air if space is available, since more drying occurs through the
cut ends than through the sides. This is true even with wood that has been split. The
woodpile should be under cover so that it will not absorb moisture from the rain and
snow before it is used, but still open on the sides and ends to the drying effect of the
wind and sun. Store wood in neat, well-supported piles.