Spare the Air and Wood Smoke FAQs (2024)

FAQs

Can you use a smoker on a spare the air day? ›

No Wood Burning During Spare the Air Alerts

It is illegal year-round to burn wood on days when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect. Wood smoke is the number one pollutant in the winter.

On days when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect due to high levels of fine particle pollution, it is illegal to burn wood, fire logs, pellets, or other solid fuels in fireplaces, wood stoves, outdoor fire pits, and other wood-burning devices.

While fires for cooking are not prohibited during Spare the Air Alerts, consider public health and be mindful of air quality on these days. Consider using a gas or propane barbecue rather than a wood or charcoal-fired cooking device.

During the wintertime, residential wood smoke is a main contributor to fine particle pollution (PM) and is responsible for poor air quality days in many areas across the United States.

Spare tire inflation pressure should be checked monthly and before any long trips. Use an accurate gauge. T-type temporary spare tires require 60 psi (420 kPa). When adjusting inflation pressure in T-type tires, do so in small amounts since the tire is smaller and the pressure level changes rapidly.

Many pellet grills can be left unattended for 4-6 hours. The smoker is at least four feet away from buildings and isn't sitting right up against the wall or any wooden material. You'll also need to have cleaned the grill beforehand because proper maintenance should eliminate potential grease fires or flare-ups.

Local ordinances ban wood burning in many California regions. However, Focus fireplaces, like this Filiofocus Central, can be converted to gas for CA installations.

The combination of high temperatures, few winds and breezes, pollution and airborne particles can brew up an unhealthful mixture in the air, just waiting to enter your lungs.

Researchers discovered that particulate matter concentrations are greater in the morning and at night. It is especially active between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. (LST). On the other side, it is lowest in the afternoon, particularly from 3:00 and 5:00 PM (LST).

Woods such as fir, pine, spruce, and cedar will all be useful if you're looking for a soft wood to burn in your fireplace. When burning wood in your home, it's very important to make sure that it is dry, seasoned firewood. Wood that still retains moisture will produce less heat and much more smoke.

What is the meaning of spare the air day? ›

Spare the Air was created in 1991 by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to alert residents when air quality is forecast to be unhealthy and to share information on ways to reduce air pollution.

Electric grills can also be unsafe in the rain. Rain and electricity don't mix, and using electric grills when it's raining can get you electrocuted. Gas, charcoal, and pellet grills are safe to use in rainy weather. Just make sure your grill has a lid.

The most alarming component of wood smoke is PM2. 5. These particles are so fine they can invade our lungs and bloodstream, causing severe health issues. They contribute to respiratory problems like irritation, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Emissions from wood smoke, discussed below, can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature death, among other health effects. Many of these pollutants can worsen air quality indoors and outdoors. Particle pollution. In some places, wood-burning is the major source of particle pollution.

The components of wood smoke and cigarette smoke are quite similar, and many components of both are carcinogenic. EPA researchers estimate the lifetime cancer risk from wood smoke to be 12 times greater than from a similar amount of cigarette smoke.

If the wind is going in the other direction it can stop the airflow entirely and keep the heat out of your cooking chamber. It is best to let the wind add to the airflow and not stop it so if possible position your smoker so that the wind is blowing in the direction of the natural smoker airflow.

Rain (and snow) evaporates as it drops on your smoker, pulling heat from your smoker. It may take extra fuel to compensate for that. If you don't have a well-ventilated covered patio or pavilion for cooking, consider investing in a pop-up canopy to keep your cooker, meat, and tools dry when cooking in the rain.

There's no need to put your smoker away just because it's a little cold! And with Winter Games coming up, it's time to break in new Smokers or grab your faithful Smoker out of hibernation! All of the meat that you love to smoke in the Spring, Summer, and Fall can be smoked year round (or on the iced over Lake).