Ummmmm, access to plentiful and cheap amounts of firewood, maybe?
Iowa ain't brimming with forests, ya know??
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Iowa ain't brimming with forests, ya know??
My parents had a wood burner until I, the youngest male child, left for my second year at ISU. Then they had a propane furnace within three months.
The folk I know that have easy wood access do have them.
Fireplaces are novelty/ornamental devices used occasionally. You need exponentially more wood to feed a woodburner to heat a house full time.
KidSilverhair
Well-Known Member
My folks in southeast Iowa still have their wood burner, which my dad got around when I was starting high school, so over 40 years ago. They currently live in a pretty small historic house they moved to some woodlands about 35 years ago. Since they’re both in their 80s, they don’t cut wood any more, but they do still use it. There is also a furnace, of course.
My parents have a corn stove. It doesn’t replace one of their furnaces (they have 2 due to a house addition) but it does really cut down on its use. I know someone who had an actual corn furnace.
Not true....way more forests in Iowa, where I grew up - alongside the DM River valley. Maybe the difference being, private lands vs. 85% Nevada BLM. The latter encourages cut, cut, cut, namely invasive Juniper..
Memories of Iowa are fleeting, but I recall plenty of stacks of oak-based firewood, destined for fireplaces.
I think there is a lot of "easier to pay the heating bill than the labor to cut, transport, stack wood" mentality. If you have to purchase firewood is it all that cost effective? I don't really know. I have a woodburner in my 700sq ft shop and have a lifetime supply of wood split and stacked inside the adjoining machine shed so I don't even have to go outside for more fuel. I've never encountered a time when I didn't have access to free wood, but my situation may be unique.
Neighbor has a wood burner for his office and part of his house. When the wind is heavy from the north I struggle blowing snow from the heavy smoke (at least smell) that I have to deal with. Will start coughing and hacking and I don’t have any asthma issues.
I 110% agree, re: "fireplace novelty." Worthless, as in the heat goes up the chimney, mostly.
However, as one that has a wood burner, I disagree with the/your notion, "that in order go heat a house full time you need exponentially more wood." So what? A $25 permit allows all the wood we need...plus great excercise (cutting, loading, splitting, stacking).
We have to open windows, no matter how cold it is (sub zero - regularly) once a wood burner is cooking.
The radiant heat that eminates from a wood burner fire (about 30 minutes in), is unreal - heats our house rapidly.
Disadvantage. If one is in need of a steady "68-whatever," wood burners ain't gonna suffice.
Plus, the futzing around with a wood burner...kinda tedious. Then again, me and my gal? Less time in front of our monitors!
had access to apple firewood when a neighbor eliminated an older orchard. When we knew we were having company and the wind was right I always burned it. We always were complimented on how wonderful it smelled
We consider the "process"
(cutting, splitting, stacking...) to be good exercise, be outdoors throughout our beautiful mountain, autumn months.
Plus, Elk scouting, given the right area ( has never happened )
This reminded me of a time when I was with a (non smoking) buddy and we stopped at a convivence store for a drink. I purchased a pack of cigarettes' and he later asked me why I didn't purchase a different brand because they were cheaper. I stated I didn't like them and he replied well smoke is smoke, right? I countered with: which would you rather burn in your fireplace, an apple log or a tire? He said "I get your point" LOL
Good Lord, that would be eternal shoveling of stalks wouldnt it? Would almost need to stick a whole stalk bale in at a time probably.
Oooh just light the bale up. Move up from dumpster fire to corn riots.
KCCI already has quite a list of schools canceling for tomorrow, with many other schools already taking MLK day off. Its supposed to get above freezing on Tuesday, I think we will make it.