Homeowners today have multiple options to make use of their fireplace. Gas, wood, and even oil can be used. The question is why you would use an oil-burning stove when the other alternatives are much safer. Of course, this all depends on your own personal choices. Here are a few dangers in using an oil burning stove over a gas or wood burning stove in your home.
- Puff Backs – this is when there is oil in the combustion chamber, but it does not immediately ignite. Sometimes, the result is merely a small puff of smoke, hence the name, but it can result in an explosion. If the explosion is large enough, it can blow the door right off the firebox and shoot flames out into the surrounding area.
- Bad Ignitions – lighting an oil stove is not as easy as one would think. When the stove is not lit properly, in addition to the puff backs mentioned above, there can also be significant smoke released into the room, which has its own complications. If there are any problems igniting the stove, it is advised to immediately shut it down and call in an expert to inspect it.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – if a buildup is allowed to occur in the chimney, poisonous gas can be released into the air. This is also true for wood and gas burning stoves. Over 400 deaths every year occur from this very circumstance. To avoid this, the chimney must be inspected every year by a professional.
- Increased Pollutants – oil does not burn nearly as clean as gas. That being said, added pollutants are introduced to the environment that can affect your nose, throat, and eyes. For individuals suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems, the introduction of added nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide could cause further health problems.
