The problem most people address is the extra smoke from a fire pit. I will share the causes and reasons for smoke in the fireplace. The cause of the smoke is the outcome of burning fatwood which has an excess amount of moisture in it.
Green, older, and lighter Woods contain a high level of water, which is why it produces much smoke while burning. Debris and high-pitch content are also the reason for smoke when set on fire.
Improper stacking of firewood is another reason for excess smoke because oil as a fuel uses to burn it. The only way to make them capable is to well-season and kiln dried them. Selecting wood capable of burning and producing less smoke is the best option.
We need to know the difference between seasoned wood and dry wood, how they work, which firewood smokes the least, and what the current market is doing to minimize the smoke. There are many kinds of wood, but hardwood and softwood are two known kinds of wood primarily used in fire pits. In this paper, I will share how to reduce smoke in your fire pit.
5 Ways: How to Reduce Smoke in Your Fire Pit 2022
The causes we discuss of fire pit smoke are not limited. We will discuss the ways to reduce fire pit smoke. Following are the measures and indicators you can use that can direct several smoke-falling hacks that can be used to work together.
No 1. Use Well Seasoned or Kiln-Dried Firewood
As we already discussed, damp wood is inadequate to reduce fireplace smoke. Dried wood reduces smoke and works more excellently for an extended period.
Seasoned (Air-Dried) Firewood for Fire Pits
As I already acknowledge, hardwood and softwood are the woods that can use for fire pits because they smoke less. Hardwoods take more time to dry, but when ready, they will set on fire longer and blazing than softwood. When preparing firewood, make sure your wood is seasoned.
As I mentioned, you can use a moisture meter to measure the moisture level of your wood; if it is below 30%, it will be acceptable, but if it is 20% or less, it will be excellent. You can buy it from a firewood seller; make sure to question the kind of wood you are obtaining and the level of liquid it contains.
Bring your portable meter with you and check the moisture in the timber for validity, as you have to pay the same amount whether the wood is seasoned or not. Ensure to buy the best wood which performs well and is long-lasting.
Kiln-Dried Firewood for Fire Pits
Kiln-dried firewood is wood that dries in an oven. It is a premium quality wood and contains 20% moisture. It can set on fire promptly, and its smoke is minimum because its water is on target. Compared to non-kiln-dried firewood, it is easy to burn for longer and is very bright.
One more advantage of kiln-dried firewood is that it abolishes bugs, pests, and mildew from the wood because of the intense heat manufacturing procedure. If you are ordering kiln-dried firewood, make sure to buy the quantity you need for your fireplace because these are costly and require space for storage.
The crux is to ensure you are using dry kindling, and it should be hardwood to lower the smoke of the fireplace. Once you start using kiln-dried firewood, there is no going back.
2. Focus on Using Firewood Types That Naturally Smoke Less
We already discuss hardwoods and softwoods and how they function significantly in your fireplace. There are many types of hardwood, but a few Hardwoods smoke less. Firstly we will talk about hardwood, then move to softwood and see the work softwood done in reducing smoke.
Hardwoods as Firewood
Harwood grasps little quantity of liquid compared to other woods. As we notice, the liquid is not a suitable object for firewood. Harwoods producing less smoke are maple, hickory, oak, apple wood, cherry, and ash.
Hardwoods that have more smoke are elm, poplar, and eucalyptus. These woods are well at producing heat and are durable but smoke more; therefore, think about leaving them for your fire pit if your purpose is minimizing smoke.
Softwoods as Firewood
Though softwood smoke severely while burning, such as sap or dried pitch. It may be your preference to choose softwood for your fire pit, but ensure to season it thoroughly, as softwoods are easy to find in your area and inexpensive. If you are completely dry or well-seasoned, your softwood still produces little less smoke.
3. Take the Time to Build a Fire That Starts Quickly and Burns Long
The strategy you use to pile your fatwood in a fireplace effectively affects how your firewood lights and sets on fire. That effectiveness is the primary key to protecting smoke from starting and blazing it away speedily if it starts. Airflow among fatwood is the necessary change between fire and smoke.
How to do it
Cut the firewood into two parts and load them side by side. Maintain a distance of 12 inches, and more than it depends on the size of your room. Now you place other rows above it with the same space. Redo the procedure 3-4 times; again, it depends on the room size of your fireplace.
A teepee pile is an alternative; it permits durable airflow among firewood. The method of operating is that, as its name shows, fatwood parts pile skywards compared to each other in a spherical conoid’s pile, spread equally for good airflow while keeping a broad base.
4. Keep Your Fire Pit Clean After Every Use to Reduce Fire Pit Smoke
Keeping your fire pit clean after every use is necessary to reduce fire pit smoke. After every use, older waste of the fire pit turns to moisture if left out in pieces. Constructing another fire above the trash may hinder your skill to get a good fire raiser.
When your fire pit is entirely cooled, instantly clean the fire pit of all waste. You can cover your fire pit or store it inside to retain liquid from gathering. This process saves you from cleaning the fire pit waste and supports you in making a sturdy, smokeless fire raiser.
5. Consider Using a Smokeless Fire Pit to Drastically Reduce Fire Pit Smoke
Fireplaces have progressed a little within the previous several years, transforming from plain metal bowls or stonework fireplaces along with fire rings to up-to-date adopted old technology. Old technology is known as TLUD, called a top-lit updraft gasifier.
It is a micro kiln used to produce heat. Many developers of fireside copy TLUD technology to construct fireplaces that will set on fire effectively and lessen smoke to a minimum degree. In short, these fireplaces form a dual wall design that uses an airflow structure plan to provoke fire and eliminate more smoke before it gets away.
The important thing is that fire pits are smokeless. Smokeless does not mean any smoke, but it means reducing smoke.
Read More: How much firewood do I need for camping?
Why Does My Fire Pit Smoke So Much?
There are many reasons, but I will share the primary source of the smoke, which is the burning of substances that are the component of wood. These substances whirl to smoke when inadequately fiery and are freed immediately over the fireplace. It is a practical and luminous fire. The substances generally burn speedily before the smoke becomes notable.
Smoke from Green or Improperly Seasoned Firewood
Your fire pit will smoke if a wood not ready for top quality in the aridness goes up in flame. Concisely, seasoned firewood contains thirty per cent liquid; the lower the liquid, the greater it works.
It obtains that degree of fluid by inside or outside procedure of growing old in good shape or later going through the fastest heat chamber procedure that is costly but detailed. The crux is that raw wood is set on fire effectively because it smokes less.
Green lumber is a wood that contains more liquid, and its liquid does not permit it to set on fire as you wish to see it. But it set off smoke severely.
Moreover, antique wood that split and broke ages back can set on fire badly just if it is frequently opened in drizzle and not allowed to be completely dehydrated. Gradually seasoned firewood experience lightweight while holding has a weaker sound when touching or striking each other, no noticeable odor, and a dusty appearance based on the environment.
There is a device called a hygrometer that is used to trace liquid amounts of wood. It is economical, and you can easily buy it from your nearby tool shop. Less than 30% liquid in wood is acceptable, although the perfect level of liquid is 20% or not much more than it. In your locality, you will find wood processed in a heat chamber that has good quality.
As long as you wish to turn down fire pit smoke successfully, Applying accurate firewood, which has an adequate amount of liquid, provides you with better results according to the amount of effort or money you have put in.
Other Causes of Excess Fire Pit Smoke
Along with moisture, several other factors might be the offender in causing surplus fire pit smoke. A few factors blend with a high water content that forms your fire pit to go up in smoke. Consider what firewood you have been utilizing or are going to utilize, and notice any one thing familiar with all that we need to talk about it.
1. Debris Buildup in Your Fire Pit
Aged and likely moist cinder, clinker, and the waste that has assembled in your fireplace against the latest blaze could lower the combustion of your recent fire, it causes fire to make a lot of smoke, and you stagger and wonder to work out what to do and how to do
2. Firewood with High Pitch (Sap) Content
Gymnosperms such as juniper help start a fire, specifically when you are trying to obtain a significant fire origin, by choosing an angiosperm of a few kinds. Softwoods, also known as gymnosperm, block up your fireplace faster than other woods.
It is rational to view an excessive fluid matter of that kind of wood, yet it could be more persuasive. However, gymnosperms such as cedar, redwood, Douglas fir, and so on can blaze when set on fire quickly, creating good fire raiser wood.
Another type of wood called lighter wood is also known as fatwood; from the century, lighter wood has been applied as a fire raiser wood. Flatwoods are readily available in your nearest hardware stores and online retailers. You can also find fatwood from nature.
The crux is that cutting softwood every time is not an excellent solution for your firewood. Additionally, it smokes hugely and does not blaze in the long run. Gymnosperm that is well qualified can work if there are few choices however should recognize the constraints.
3. Improper Stacking of Firewood in Fire Pit
An idea to start a rapid long-lasting flare is an admirable blow. Tossing the branches inside the fireplace with some ignite should not finish, leaving you with a smoke fireplace rather than conflagration. A house made of a tree trunk or pavilion will retain airflow and accommodate your firewood and light.
4. Burning of Green Pine Needles, Pine Cones, Tree Bark, Etc
At times it is clear to assemble leftovers from woodland ground to utilize as firewood, light, etc. Pine needles, pine cones, and tree bark are leftovers. These are the stuff you can use to raise fire; ensure not to assemble anything with greenish touch on it; moreover, stuff should be dry as dust and of satisfactory quality. It will smoke like mad if it contains green and is not dry.
5. Household Waste
Some household waste is heavily smoked when set on fire, such as some specific cardboard. You must act upon smoke and deal with the particular gases because they are unsuitable for your well-being. Hold wood, lighter, and fuel in the fireplace. To allow the fire to begin, you must add newspaper to it.
Read More: How hot is my campfire?
Smokeless Fire Pits: The Current Market
There are four prominent companies in the smokeless fire pit business: flame genie, tiki, solo stove, and breeo. They all practice TLUD in their projects and are prevalent in supporting technology on top of the business to the entertainment side. Here are some truths about every firm and its line of products.
Solo Stove
Its firm was established in 2010, constructing portable stoves for camping. Presently their headquarter is in Southlake, Texas. They desired to grow into fire pits in 2016, and for this project, they cooperated with Kick starter to fundraise. There are three fields of fire pits buyers can select.
Their ranges are from lightest to bulkiest. Solo stoves are made of alloy steel, have no smoke fireplace, and are portable stoves invented for campers and house use. If you’ve ever been unsatisfied with having to move around the fireplace to escape the smoke and unable to run it, these are the fire pits for you.
Breeo
Breeo firm established in 2011 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The firm is located in Kinzer, on the road, approximately 24 kilometers. Presently breeo proposes original no-smoke fire pits preferences. There are three ranges of fire pits.
Tiki
Tiki’s firm originated in the 1960s, and its headquarters is in Menomonee, Minnesota. It became famous for its iconic tiki torches. They constructed their first no-smoke fire pit in 2020. Nowadays, it suggests two no-smoke fire pits choices.
Flame Genie
Flame genie firm originated in 1947 in St Louis, Missouri. It manufactures a range of goods associated with building up heat and air circulation. Presently it suggests a fire pit plan in four different sizes. Flame genie blaze in an unspoiled or gunpowder coat with 13 or 19 inches.
It functions with biofuel. According to the producers, all fire pits are smoke-free. Smokeless means no smoke. It means they minimize the amount of smoke. To conclude, it is accessible to a cleanup smoke-free fire pit because there is not much debris or ashes of it.
Read More : Butane Vs Propane Camp Stove
Best Smokeless Firewood for Reducing Smoke in Your Fire Pit
Some smokeless firewood helps reduce smoke in your fire pit. Here are some smokeless firewood that is easy to burn, produces less smoke, and lights up quickly;
● Eco-stix fatwood fire starter kindling firewood sticks
● Fatwood fire starter sticks
● Two-hour fire log
● Firestarter
● Eco fire starter for campfire fireplace charcoal bbq grill wood pellet
● XXL size charcoal fire starter
Final Thoughts: How to Reduce Smoke in Your Firepit
You can do a limited number of things to lower your fire pit smoke. Using dry wood is the right way to reduce smoke. If you have to go for firewood, select the smoke-free one. Construct your fire pit the way it becomes breathable.
Maintain your fire pit up to date and clean it before use. If nothing works, go for the smoke-free fire pit. There are several choices in the market that are good and work well. Have a look and decide according to your needs. Hopefully, you will find a better fire pit. After reading this article, I hope you know how to reduce smoke in your fire pit.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Reduce Smoke in Your Firepit
Following are the frequently asked questions related to reducing smoke in your firepit.
1. How much does an average firewood moisture meter cost?
Answer: The price varies from $25-$100. The cost of the sweet spot is about $35. It may get, at most, that number. You can get the meter from stores and online at a reasonable price.
2. What are wood pellets?
Answer: A wood pellet is a prepared piece of wood designed in a spherical shape with pencil thickness. They contain 10% liquid, which reduces the fire pit’s smoke. They set on fire efficiently and leave minimum waste.
3. Besides fatwood, what other fire starter is good at getting a fire going?
Answer: There is another fire starter that is good at getting a fire going, other than fatwood. Home-based fire starters can easily prepare by filling dryer lint hooked on toilet tissues. It’s simple, inexpensive, and helpful. You can use them in starting your fire pit. There is also a different range of low-price products in the market that are productive in quickly creating fire pits.
4. Is using lighter fluid to start a fire pit a good idea?
Answer: No, using lighter fluid to start a fire pit is not a good idea because of security concerns; it can also harm you and your property.
5. What is the closest thing to a smoke-free fire pit?
Answer: The smoke-free fire pits I discuss in the article are the closest thing you can do to smokeless your fire pit. A fossil gas fire pit is the nearest thing to a smokeless fireplace.