Wood vs pellet

[blades]

Large area outage of power - Gas station isn't going to be able to pump fuel for that genny if ya run out - couple that with the extremely short shelf life of gas= more problems. Diesel isn't much better now long storage- sometimes develops algae in the fuel system. LP - same as gas station, Ng if from utility likely ok, CNG same as gas station. Wood stove - feed it - keeps making heat even if ya have to resort to less than dry wood.

Those of you in moderate climates less of a problem, for us where a warm day is just under freezing we have cover a lot more variables.

 

[JP11]

Everyone's individual situation is different. I put in an underground 500gal LP tank I own. The only thing on it is the standby gen. Pretty sure I can go a month if I shut the gen off at night. I agree that anyone with a small generator, and limited fuel storage is relying on the local gas station to have fuel. There have been storms in my area that had some out of power for 3 weeks. Now.. as the grid came back.. there were plenty of stores around that were open. So it was possible to get fuel.

It's just something to think about and plan and say.. What if the power was out. What if the water was out. How would I get by with X or Y. Having a PLAN is an important part of taking care of your family.

 

[bigbarf48]

I feel so high tech. My stove has 4 moving parts! All of yours AND a catalytic lever. I remember when Dennis (Backwoods Savage) was defending his "complicated" stove that people were ragging on. He had to go into great detail about how a catalytic and air control are not that difficult to operate.

Where is Dennis anyways? Did I miss something?

Wondering that also. Hope all is well with him

 

[Fred Wright]

Only advantage I can see to pellets, you don't need someone there to feed the stove.

Wood pellets are a manufactured commodity subject to market swings. You'll need a truck to haul a skid home or pay for delivery. A large, dry area is needed for storage. A strong back is needed to schlep sacks of pellets.

And as far as I'm aware there is no industry standard on what goes into making 'em. Anything that will burn can go into a pellet batch... recycled cardboard, stale cigars etc. You could probably grind up trashed demolition wood for pellet making if you wanted to.

I prefer good old-fashioned wood burning. It's cheaper. Granted, it's a lot of work processing firewood by hand but I need the exercise anyhow.

 

[Highbeam]

Wondering that also. Hope all is well with him

Dennis is no longer at this site. He's alive and well, just elsewhere and still operating his complicated stove. I have a complicated stove now too and love it.

I have no problems with pellet or wood. Pellets are great if you don't have time, space, strength, or tolerance of dirt to deal with real wood heat. I expect that as wood becomes harder to source and process, I may move to pellets but that is a long time away.

 

[BillLion]

Wood for me for all the reasons already listed.

I'd add I really do love tending to the fire in the winter. Dumping in pellets in once a day would be easier but take away much of the rituals I love.