Ever discouraged someone from getting into wood?
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Having enough room to stack the wood is the main issue. You absolutely don't have to the cutting and hauling and splitting yourself. Even at $300 a cord c/s/d and some paid help to stack it, it's still cheaper than heating with oil or propane or electricity in most of the country. (Don't know how the comparison goes with natgas these days.) And even if you don't end up saving a whole lot of money on heat, it's a vastly nicer, more satisfying heat, you don't have to worry about keeping the thermostat turned down to barely tolerable, and as a number of people said, if there's a power failure in winter, no worries.
Bummer Nate.. Not a fun way to retire.. Thanks for serving our country! I was in the Navy 75-78 then drilling reserves 78-80..
Ray
Eh, no big deal. I make more money now working for myself and it's more satifisying. No more bullcrap work "because". I might put in a 20hr day but I'm getting stuff done. Not sitting on my ass for 18hrs of it! Have lost almost 20lbs in the ~two months since I have been out... and I'm not on a diet.
Hills Hoard
Minister of Fire
Everyone has to start somewhere so I don't think you need know everything about wood hoarding and burning before you start. I imagine most of us started out with a lot less equipment and knowledge. Obviously with equipment like chainsaws there are safety issues and they need to be addressed some how but I think most people will figure out a reasonable system for finding wood, processing it, storing it and burning it and what tools will help make that as easy as possible. I look back 1.5 - 2 years and laugh at what i burnt, how i stacked, where i stacked, how i processed, how i lit the fire, how i kept the fire going. Nothing dangerous, or even incorrect, but you soon figure out better ways.
Signing up to sites like this i would say is an absolute must, because in this day and age there is no excuse for not being completely informed.....I wish i had of found this site sooner.
Signing up to sites like this i would say is an absolute must, because in this day and age there is no excuse for not being completely informed.....I wish i had of found this site sooner.
jdp1152
Minister of Fire
I could retire at 36...the wife does more than well enough and likes her job much better than I. Unfortunately she doesn't agree with my proposal to spend the next 2 years of my time on renovating the house and building equity for a refinance. I'll keep working on her though.
lumbering on
Feeling the Heat
I have many times. I'm honest about it. In short I say if your not willing to put in the work then it is not for you. Lot I hear is people saying they used to do the wood stove thing but it was too much work. As BrotherBart said, I consider it a hobby, Many hobbies are a lot of work but it is something you do because you like it not because you have too. I also agree with peakbagger, people underestimate the work, I got a few free scrounges from people who tried but gave up.
I agree n3 I enjoy doing some of my own wood if the opportunity arises but do not rely on this. I do buy 3 cord a year c/s/d and supplement this occasionally. I do it when I feel like it and not because I need to do it. This year I did 3 cords during the winter which is the most I have done in many years. Around here everyone burns wood so free gotten wood is rare unless you burn white pine and there is all you can handle for free.. I don't bother with this unless it is from my own property as there is so much hardwood here particularly red oak. Red oak is great wood and while very heavy usually splits well.. I also get quite a bit of cherry here and my last one was a bear to split.. It would be great to have some more wood to process right now and I do have more red oak to pick up around the corner from me which I will eventually get to..
Ray
I have had a lot of people ask about heating with wood. It's easy to hear if they will be motivated enough to begin the move to wood burning. For most people I know, it's to much work. For me it's a life style, albeit weekends to a simpler time. Thats what I explain to people is why I do it. That and the amazing heat, rolling flames view and of course the electric heat savings. is the payback.
I sort of talked my sister and her husband out of it. After we were both without power for an extended period due to Sandy and I was heating the house with the stove and they were staying with friends or looking for a hotel. They were considering either a wood burner or a generator for power failure backup. i told them them to go with the genney. I just couldn't see them doing the work and making the commitment with their current lifestyle. My BIL is not much of an outdoorsy kind of guy and three kids with soccer games, gymnastics, girlscouts, etc. wouldn't help any.I certainly have no interest in providing their fuel.
Pellets can be a better option for those with less space, physical issues or just don't want all the work that wood involves.. Then there are people who should only use a t-stat for heat..
Ray
Ray
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