If you use a wood stove or any other combustion device in your home, it's crucial to ensure complete combustion. In this blog post, we explain the difference between complete and incomplete combustion, the risks of incomplete combustion, and how to prevent it in your wood stove. What is incomplete combustion? In complete combustion, all the wood in your stove is efficiently converted into heat, releasing only water vapor and CO₂. The fuel then fully binds with the oxygen. However, in incomplete combustion, this process does not occur optimally. This can happen if there is too little oxygen, if the wood is too moist, or if the stove is not burning at the right temperature. In this case, the fuel does not fully bind with the oxygen. This results in smoke and the release of harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide (CO), fine particles, and tar. These substances can be harmful not only to your health but also to the environment. The combustion in a wood stove is represented by the following chemical reaction equations: Complete combustion in a wood stove: C₆H₁₀O₅ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 5H₂O Incomplete combustion in a wood stove: m C₆H₁₀O₅ + 3O₂ → 3CO + 3C + 5H₂O Risks of incomplete combustion One of the biggest risks of incomplete combustion is the formation of carbon monoxide (CO). This is a colorless and odorless gas that can cause serious health problems when inhaled. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning range from headaches and dizziness to unconsciousness and, in extreme cases, death. Poorly ventilated spaces are particularly at risk. Additionally, incomplete combustion leads to the buildup of tar and soot in the flue. This increases the risk of a chimney fire. Recognizing incomplete combustion You can recognize incomplete combustion in your stove in the following ways: The flames are unstable and somewhat orange and yellow. Gray or black smoke comes from your chimney. Preventing incomplete combustion For complete combustion in your wood stove, we have the following recommendations. Ensure sufficient oxygen. A wood stove requires adequate airflow to guarantee complete combustion. Make sure the air inlet of your stove functions properly. Use dry wood. Burning moist wood is one of the main causes of incomplete combustion. Ensure that your wood is well dried and has a moisture content of less than 20%. Dry wood provides cleaner and more efficient combustion. Burning moist wood can also lead to creosote formation, which further increases the risk of a chimney fire. Burn at the right temperature. A temperature that is too low results in incomplete combustion. It is important to light your wood stove properly and ensure it burns hot enough before adding more wood. Regular maintenance. Regular maintenance of your wood stove and flue is essential for safe operation. Have your chimney swept at least once a year and check that all parts of your stove function properly. Choose a wood stove with the right capacity. A stove with too much power for the space may smolder, leading to incomplete combustion. At Leenders Haardkachels, we value safety and efficiency. Our modern wood stoves are designed for efficient and safe combustion. Each stove in our collection has its own story and fire.

The combustion of wood releases harmful fine particles. To minimize the amount of fine particles released into the air, it is sometimes advised to install a fine particle filter. In this article, we explain why this is unnecessary for a modern high-efficiency wood stove. What is fine dust? Fine dust is a collective term for small particles smaller than 10 micrometers that float in the air. Fine dust is so small that it is not visible to the naked eye. However, it can be harmful to your health and the environment. Fine dust reduces lung function. More efficient and environmentally friendly wood stoves thanks to EcoDesign Due to European legislation, wood stoves have become much more efficient and environmentally friendly in recent years. Whereas a wood stove about 20 years ago achieved an efficiency of only 10-20%, a modern wood stove now has an efficiency of between 80% and 90%. The European EcoDesign directive sets requirements for the minimum efficiency of products, including wood stoves. The latest directive is EcoDesign 2022, which sets standards for minimum efficiency and maximum fine particle emissions from wood stoves. EcoDesign 2022 mandates that wood stoves must achieve an efficiency of at least 75% and emit no more than 40 milligrams of fine dust per cubic meter. Manufacturers are required to report the efficiency and emissions of stoves, including a test report. All wood stoves in the Leenders Haardkachels collection meet the EcoDesign 2022 standards. Thanks to efficient combustion, our stoves are also cost-effective. Is a fine particle filter still necessary? A fine particle filter, also known as a wood smoke filter, reduces the emission of fine particles from chimneys. The filter is usually placed in the chimney and purifies the stove's emissions through electrostatic or mechanical filtration. If you buy a new, efficient wood stove, do you still need a fine particle filter? The answer is no, and it is even unnecessary. With a modern high-efficiency wood stove, you do not need a fine particle filter. In fact, a filter could cause the stove to burn less efficiently, leading to even more harmful emissions. Tips for efficient burning Do you want to minimize your wood stove’s emissions? Ensure you burn as efficiently as possible with the following tips. First, choose hardwoods such as oak, beech, maple, and cherry. These have a high energy density and burn slowly. For efficient combustion, use dry wood. We recommend a moisture content of 20% or lower. Read our article on the best way to dry wood. Light your wood stove using the Swiss fire-lighting method. This ensures an almost complete combustion right from the start. Make sure your stove and chimney are cleaned regularly. Are you looking for a modern, efficient wood stove? Check out our collection of high-efficiency wood stoves.

As the proud owner of a modern wood-burning stove, you naturally want proper firewood storage to keep your home warm throughout winter. You have probably seen those neatly arranged stacks of firewood elsewhere. In this article, we explain how to stack firewood in the most effective way. Split the wood first Before you start stacking, it is best to split the firewood. This prevents the natural crack from slowing down the drying process. Keep in mind that wood needs around two years of drying time before it is suitable for your stove. You can also read our article on how to dry firewood properly. Split the logs into pieces of about 12–16 inches (30–40 cm) in length and roughly fist-thick. This size works well for most modern stoves. How to stack firewood We recommend working with separate compartments to keep batches apart. Our modular wood storage system is ideal for this, as it allows you to track how long each batch has been drying. Naturally, it is wise to stack as compactly as possible to minimise the risk of the stack collapsing. Always ensure the wood stays dry and is accessible to airflow from all sides. Good ventilation helps the wood dry faster. In addition, always keep the logs off the ground to prevent rising moisture and wood rot. Because wood shrinks while drying, the stack will gradually settle. Firewood should contain no more than 20 percent residual moisture before it is suitable for burning. Once your stack is in place, you can hang our analogue moisture meter to see when the wood has dried sufficiently. Another way to check dryness is the “dish soap method.” Apply a bit of dish soap to the end grain of a log, then blow through the other end. If the wood is dry, you will see bubbles appear. You can also use a digital moisture meter. Stacking firewood against a wall In general, we do not recommend stacking firewood directly against a wall. You may stack it close to the wall, but always make sure there is enough space between the wood and the wall to allow airflow. The further the stack is placed from the wall, the faster the wood will dry, as the wind can reach it from all sides.

A well-burning wood stove not only spreads warmth but also a pleasant scent that immediately evokes a sense of coziness. But what if your stove emits an unpleasant odor? Don't panic; in this article, we explain where such a smell might come from and, more importantly, how you can prevent it. This way, the smell inside and outside your home remains as pleasant as the fire in your stove. Wood Stove Smells Chemical Does your stove emit a chemical smell? Does your new wood stove stink? Don't worry; that's not uncommon at the beginning. During the first few times you use it, some chemical smells might be released. That's because the paint is hardening, or because transport adhesive is burning off. These smells will disappear after a few uses. Does your stove continue to stink later on? Then there's a good chance something is going wrong with the burning. In a wood stove, you should only use clean, untreated, and dry wood. So, no lacquered, painted, glued, treated, or impregnated boards. Also, the moisture content is important. Wood may contain a maximum of 20% residual moisture. Want to know which wood is most suitable? Then read our articles on the best firewood and how to properly dry wood. With a good fire, you can smell the wood species; beech smells different from oak, and that's exactly the charm. But if you smell a sharp burning odor in your house, be alert: that could indicate a chimney fire. In that case: stop burning immediately and call the fire department. Wood Stove Smells When Off When there are still pieces of wood left after an evening's burning, it can also cause a smoky smell. The stove has likely not reached operating temperature, and complete combustion has not occurred. This can be caused by closing the air supply too quickly. A good fire needs oxygen and a little patience. So give your stove the time to get going and only close the air supply when the fire is burning well. This way, you prevent a smoky smell and get the most out of your wood. Wood Stove Smells Outside Does your wood stove give off an unpleasant odor outside? This can also be due to burning the wrong wood, resulting in incomplete combustion. Additionally, the accumulation of creosote in your chimney can lead to an unpleasant smell. Creosote buildup increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and chimney fires. Our advice? Have your chimney cleaned at least once a year by a certified chimney sweep. This way, the air outside stays fresh, and the situation inside remains safe.