Are blue flames bad?

[skinnykid]

When I run my stove on low air intake I get blue flames. I am sure it is a different temp flame. But am I wasting wood or causing build up in my chimney pipe?

Thanks

 

[Hogwildz]

Blue flames are good. Mine gets purplish ones sometimes.

 

[GVA]

Blue flames are good. Mine gets purplish ones sometimes.

as long as they ain't green (nuclear) flames right ;-)

 

[jeffman3]

It is my understanding that blue flame is a hotter flame and will, well heat better. I see it as a sign of properly seasoned, and very hard wood, what is it that you are burning that is giving you blue flames?

 

[skinnykid]

Oak, Black birch and some vine wood that I cut that was choking out the Pine trees.

Oh and I think some small Ash<---maybe ash not really sure.

 

[Redox]

Apparently Cecil (of Straight Dope fame) is a fan of solid fuel combustion.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2159/what-is-the-hottest-part-of-a-flame

I don't suppose he is a member here?

Chris

 

[Hanko]

just what ever you do, dont fart around blue flame

 

[skinnykid]

You obviously don't know me Hanko, They call me the straight pipe (seriously) and you can probably think of why!!

 

[lobsta1]

some vine wood that I cut that was choking out the Pine trees.
.

I hope that vine wood was not poison ivy!
Al

 

[donatello]

BLUE FLAMES ????? Wow, I'm glad you posted about this That firewood could be considered DANGEROUS (even flammable) in the wrong hands :bug: ! You should ship it to me (postage paid of course) and I will dispose of it in the proper manner ;-P ... You will be considered a patriot and just a great guy for ridding your area of this terrible menace (the firewood). All the people of your community will flock to you and praise you. There will be a special holiday in your honor and even a bronze statue in your village square where once a year the children will sing of your greatness! I'm just proud I can assist you in this manner. %-P

p.s I heard hickory let's out a nice blue flame... Though I never noticed.

 

[Rockey]

Tell me kid too skinny, does that black birch have a distinctive scent when freshly cut? I hve been trying to ID some wood and someone suggested it was Black birch. It looks dead on walnut but I know it definitely isn't. Sorry for being off topic.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Black birch smells a bit like rootbeer and maybe a little wintergreen. That's the easy way to tell it from cherry- chew on a twig- it's pretty neat

 

[jeffman3]

I've been told that locust will burn blue under the right conditions. (Properly seasoned etc...) I hope to find out next year. I have between 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 cord for next year. (to wet for this year. Moisture meter reads 27%.

 

[Todd]

The Black Locust I have burns some good hot blue flames. All good seasoned firewood will produce some bursts of blue in a EPA stove durning secondary combustion.

 

[precaud]

Your pine will burn with a bright yellow flame because of its higher pitch content. The flame from the hardwoods should be blue-ish.

 

[skinnykid]

Tell me kid too skinny, does that black birch have a distinctive scent when freshly cut? I hve been trying to ID some wood and someone suggested it was Black birch. It looks dead on walnut but I know it definitely isn't. Sorry for being off topic.

Black birch smells like wintergreen. Especially when it is young.