The main secret to having less smoke in your fire pit is to use the exact fuel designed for it. Using seasoned firewood and not burning anything other than the fuel is key to achieving a reduced smoke experience. Also, you can buy a smokeless fire pit, which is very convenient and hassle-free if you are irritated by smoking.
What Makes Smoke in a Fire Pit?
In our previous article we have discussed about the reasons of smokes in a fire pit. Here we are providing a brief description:
Soft and moist wood burning:
You may experience lots of smoke if the wood you are using is not acceptable or has not been properly seasoned, or there is too much trash in and around the fire. As a result, it will never burn as efficiently as it could. The flame a fire produces reduces as the amount of smoke paid increases.
When heated, the moisture in the wood evaporates and is replaced by steam. When this steam interacts with the smoke from the burning wood, it produces a much denser cloud than burning dry wood. Furthermore, damp wood causes problems since it does not burn as hot. Because smoke is formed at lower temperatures than flame, smoldering wood will produce a lot of smoke.
Using tainted wood (fungi or mold):
The seasoned firewood or wood that has sat outside or in a warehouse for an extended period may contain mold or fungi, producing considerable smoke. The smoke created by old wood’s combustion results in mold and fungus eradication, which is terrible for your health. You should not use firewood if you feel it is tainted with fungus or mold. It is better to use kiln-dried items; they minimize the chance of exposure to toxic mildew, fungi, or insects and create lesser smoke.
Trash or garbage burning:
Burning waste in a fire pit is always a bad idea and one of the main reasons for smoke production. And toxic smoke and scents may be released from any waste, posing a risk to everyone. However, the old, damp ash, embers, dry leaves, papers, food wastes, polythene bags, and other debris prevent the current fire from burning efficiently and produce a lot of smoke.
Trash or food waste burning also leaves a stain on the fire pit boil, which makes it harder to clean. In addition, the stain and leftover food often gets rotten and produce bacterias, which is also responsible for creating more smoke and causing health problems.
Improper firewood stacking:
Shockingly, improperly stacking firewood may cause much more smoke than usual. This is because logs require air to burn, and if they are piled too high, there will be insufficient. However, in rare situations, this can prevent a fire from the beginning, allowing the wood to overheat rather than burn.
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4 Effective Ways to Stop/Reduce Smoke from a Fire Pit
No one loves excessive smoke while enjoying a chilly cold evening in front of a fire pit. The smoke ruins the perfect mood of getting toasty in the warmth of the fire pit. If you are bothered by a face full of smoke, check the below guidelines to reduce smoke from your fire pit;
1. Avoid soft, wet, and improperly seasoned wood:
Soft, moist, and improperly seasoned wood tends to have a high moisture level and sap contents. Softwoods, such as pine, redwood, spruce, or evergreen, have more sap and are less dense than hardwoods. Less density permits them to catch fire faster, but they only endure for a short time.
It is better to use dry wood and wood that has a moisture level below 30%. Wood moisture levels can be monitored with a low-cost handheld moisture meter purchased from your local hardware shop. Hardwood trees drop their leaves once a year, while softwoods are evergreens. The hardwoods, cherry, oak, and hickory are all ideal for fires.
2. Do not burn anything other than the fuel:
This is one of the most crucial steps to having a smokeless, healthy fire. Many people dispose of food trash, paper, polythene, dry leaves, and debris in the fire, which creates smoke and harmful chemical substances. It is better for you and your family to only burn fuel, not other things, especially debris.
3. Keep the fire pit clean:
Cleaning the ash and coal after every usage is a significant step toward having a smoke-less fire in the next session. If you let the ash and dump stay the way they are and start another fire over them, they will produce more smoke and black fumes.
4. Stack the dry wood properly:
Make sure to place the dry wood in an organized way, so there is enough room and space for ventilation. Adequate oxygen will produce smokeless fire.
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What Type of Fire Pit Fuels Make More Smoke?
A gas fire pit produces less smoke than a wood-burning fire pit. However, igniting a fire in a propane gas fire pit necessitates the use of propane. The main reason behind the smoke problem is some specific fuel. Here is our guide on some imperfect powers that produce more smoke;
Soft or wet wood:
Many people use soft or damp wood in the fire pit because they are readily available; however, this type of wood produces the most smoke. Remember, Smoke is produced by incomplete combustion. Timbers from pine, spruce, cedar, hemlock, fir, etc., produce huge smoke, and it is better if you avoid them.
Previous burn waste:
If you are not into cleaning, you will keep your ash and coal produced from the last time’s burning. And this ash and waste will produce more smoke which is uncomfortable and harmful to the health.
Paper and food trash:
When enjoying a barbecue or grill in front of the fire pit, most people dump food packages or papers to fuel the fire pit; these materials produce more smoke and toxic substances.
Other than a wood-burning fire pit, gas fire pits usually produce smoke in a very minimal amount, but if you want it to be completely smoke-free, then a gel fuel fire pit is the one for you.
What Type of Fire Starters are Good for Quick Fire?
There are plenty of fire starters in the market that can help you to start a fire quickly. This section will discuss how you can prepare a quickfire with natural and available fire starters in the market.
Available Good Fire Starters
Ferro rod
A Ferro rod comprises two parts: a piece of ferrocerium linked to a steel tool. You have to strike the two sections together, dropping bits of steel to aid in the ignition of your fire.
Weather-resistant matches
These are similar to regular matches; however, they are usually waterproof and windproof. This type of match is available in watertight cases and does not affect getting wet.
Flint and steel striker
A flint rod ignites a fire by striking it on the ground or other sharp surfaces to create sparks. Some include spring-loaded devices that remove the rod’s coating, making it simpler and quicker to spark.
Rechargeable lighter
Nowadays, people love rechargeable lighter more than anything. They come in trendy designs and start the fire quickly and safely.
Natural Fire Starters
Potato or corn chips
Everyone loves sliced crisps, and you can start the fire with them! Just lay 5-6 thin chips and put fire on them. Gather fuels around or beneath it; the fire will spread quickly.
Tissue roll
If you have a used tissue, roll cardboard, put some tissue inside the hollow space, put the igniter on the tissue inside, and place it in the fire pit. It will create some smoke at first, but the fire will start quickly.
Orange peels
If you have some citrus in the fridge, peel them and dry them. Then, put the fire on them; the peels will burn with the citrus oil, and you will get a pleasant aroma while the fire pit burns!
Egg cartoons
Many of us have unused paper egg cartoons in the house, so tear them apart, put some petroleum jelly (that you use for your lips) in the cavities, and fire them. The fire will be fast and long.
What are Some Good Smokeless Fire Pits Available on the Market?
Although achieving an utterly smokeless fire is difficult, some excellent firepits can be termed virtually smokeless. Usually, smokeless fire pits capture and burns the smoke and gas produced by the fire to provide additional heat. This also minimizes the amount of smoke that escapes. However, due to their innovative air flow systems, smokeless fire pits emit less heat than traditional pits.
Nine Smokeless Fire Pits from Our Recommendation
Hope this guide helps. Please let us know your thoughts in comments section below.
