Can a Wood Burning Stove cause Carbon Monoxide?

Can a wood burning stove cause carbon monoxide? In short, yes.

Carbon Monoxide is also known as a silent killer, and owners of wood burners should be very aware of the potential harm they can do.

Did you know that a wood stove is actually MORE likely to create carbon monoxide than an open fire?

We will look at how a wood stove can create carbon monoxide, how to prevent it, and what to do if you detect it.

Can a Wood Burning Stove cause Carbon Monoxide?

When you mix carbon and oxygen, two chemicals can be made. The most common is Carbon Dioxide, sometimes written as CO₂ on labels, packaging etc.

The other is Carbon Monoxide, which is written as CO. Both CO₂ and CO are created when the carbon within wood mixes with oxygen.

Carbon Monoxide is created when the oxygen supply runs out, and all the oxygen is now in the form of carbon dioxide.

However, there is still carbon in the wood, and when that burns, it needs to go somewhere as it’s released. With no pure oxygen to attach itself to, the carbon atoms will steal an oxygen atom from the CO₂ to create CO.

It makes another carbon monoxide particle in the process since the CO₂ it stole the O from will now also become CO.

As you can imagine, due to the closed nature of a stove design this means that carbon monoxide is far more likely to be created in a wood burner than in an open fire. When there is no casing around an open fire or fire pit, the fire will have an almost unlimited oxygen supply. But take that oxygen away by putting the fire in a stove, and you have a recipe for carbon monoxide if not properly managed.

Is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?

Carbon monoxide is only dangerous if you breathe it in.

It’s not an issue if your stove produces carbon monoxide. So long as it’s able to safely go outside and exit your home. In the case where your chimney is swept correctly and maintained the carbon monoxide will simply drift into the air, and nobody will come close to breathing it in.

But, if there’s a problem, and the carbon monoxide enters into the room, it can be incredibly damaging.

There’s a reason carbon monoxide is called a silent killer. As a gas it is odorless and tasteless meaning a person can be exposed to it without knowing. If you breathe it in, it can cause brain damage, vision and hearing loss, Parkinsonism, heart disease and more.

Across the USA, about 50000 people are sent to the emergency room every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

A small amount of exposure to Carbon Monoxide thankfully won’t do much but long term exposure to air with 10ppm (parts per million) carbon monoxide can damage your health in ways previously mentioned.

Signs of Carbon Monoxide

There are a couple of signs to look out for if you’re worried about your stove leaking carbon monoxide into the room.

The first and most notable sign is excess smoke. Although carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, an abundance of smoke will indicate that there is not enough oxygen getting into the stove.

Another sign is that the walls of your stoves become black and sooty.

A general awareness of these signals, and overall fire performance, is normally enough within the correct stove setup.

How to prevent a Carbon Monoxide Leak 

If you’re worried about carbon monoxide, we highly recommend purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. They can be found in almost every hardware or general store across the country.

If a detector detects more than 150ppm CO in a room, it will beep in minutes. If the concentration is lower, it will still sound an alarm, but it will take more time.

There are also steps you can take to stop carbon monoxide from spreading into a room to start with.

Firstly, ensure the room is well ventilated. Make sure that old air can leave and new air can enter. Whether that’s by leaving a window slightly open or using built-in air vents throughout your home.

Secondly, make sure your chimney is clean and well maintained. If it’s blocked with soot, the carbon monoxide will not be able to escape through it. We’d recommend getting your chimney cleaned at least once per year.

And finally make sure you don’t allow a pile-up of ash. A small amount of ash (about ½ an inch) on the bottom of your stove is fine. But, too much ash will provide material for carbon monoxide to flourish.

What to Do if your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off

If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off then follow the simple steps below.

First of all, ventilate the room as much as you can. Open the windows, doors, and even the stove door (if it’s safe).

After that you should evacuate the room. Ensure neither you nor anyone else is in there whilst the carbon monoxide is being flushed out with fresh air.

When the carbon monoxide has gone, it’s time to do check thoroughly.

Firstly, look for cracks or holes in the body of the stove. If carbon monoxide is leaking out of here, you’ll need to fix it once the stove has cooled down.

Secondly, make sure the door seal is working correctly. Carbon monoxide can leak out if your stove door doesn’t close properly.

Finally, review your chimney to assess whether it needs cleaned again.

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Having a wood burning stove can add heat, charm and cosy vibes to any home but it comes with a degree of responsibility.

We hope this helps, and for everything else home heating, stick with CosyWarmer.com