Why do we do it?

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schlot

Minister of Fire
Nov 21, 2011
771
Iowa
Ok, perhaps a deep question but its all in good fun.

Ok, I'm probably not much different than many of you. I love to heat with wood. As I drive I see dead standing trees and wonder how and if I can take them down, what kind of wood they are, where would I stack them. At home I think about how to burn more efficiently, is the wood dry enough yet, where I can snag the next scrounge. I'm sure those thoughts are probably shared with most of you.

But I also wonder why we do this....not just thinking this way but why burn wood period.

For simplicity sake, take out those here that have no option, truly no option but to use wood heat. No access to other sources of fuel or really can't afford not to heat without using wood. All the others, and that's probably the vast majority of us, why do we do it?

Yes, I know it saves money. Yes, I know the smell of wood smoke is great. Yes, sitting back watching a fire at the end of day with some spiked egg nog is wonderful. But to me these are just icing on top, just added benefits.I think the reason we do it is much more than that.

I think it's something primordial. I think it's some basic part of us as men (since this site is dominated by the male species) that is poking it's head out of our wood stacks. I really think it's something to do with our DNA of being the provider...the protector. Man made fire ...for food...for protection...for warmth....for ions. Are we just continuing that way of life because it's a basic part of us, even though natural gas and electricity can do it for us with SO much less effort?

Why do we do it?

Something to ponder on a cold night with the fire going strong.
 
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In our lives we have very little control of so many things; ie, the price of gas, groceries heating oil etc, heating with wood allows us to have several years of heating fuel stored up. It's our own little part time job that we have total control over, when we work, how much etc......This may not be the main reason we burn wood, but I believe it is a very strong reason why we do.
 
In our lives we have very little control of so many things; ie, the price of gas, groceries heating oil etc, heating with wood allows us to have several years of heating fuel stored up. It's our own little part time job that we have total control over, when we work, how much etc......

I like that idea. Take back some control from the chaos around us?
 
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Our monthly budgeted natural gas bill dropped from $160 per month to $60 per month just in the eight months since I installed the Woodstock Fireview. I expect it to drop more over the next six months as they catch up to our actual usage (not estimated) rates. And the soapstone wood heat is great comfortable heat.

But there's nothing better than sitting in front of the Fireview praying my Rosary each nite as I make adjustments on the last load before bed, or doing my morning devotions as I get the next fire going from the previous night's coals.

Fire is good for contemplation.
 
When I was a boy, I suggested that my grandfather should put in an oil furnace and we could stop scrounging for and processing wood. He smiled, and said, "Oil is a lazy man's heat." I was a boy then, who was trying to get out of splitting some wood. The wisdom in my grandfather's statement took about a decade to germinate. I agree, there is something very primitive about it that seems to run deeper than the money I save, the exercise I get, or any of the other common factors. For me, it's about a connection to nature and even to survival itself.
 
I think it's primal. The built in instinct to provide and be self sufficient. There is no greater high, for me anyway then the feeling after a day of cutting, splitting and stacking. Then standing back looking at what I did to provide for my family, with my own sweat.
 
But there's nothing better than sitting in front of the Fireview praying my Rosary each nite as I make adjustments on the last load before bed, or doing my morning devotions as I get the next fire going from the previous night's coals.

Fire is good for contemplation.

So something spiritual, I can easily see that. I typically wake up early and get the fire started again (haven't mastered the all night burn yet). While I'm awake I usually end up praying and reflecting on the past day and how much I have...and I'm not talking possessions.
 
I think it's primal. The built in instinct to provide and be self sufficient. There is no greater high, for me anyway then the feeling after a day of cutting, splitting and stacking. Then standing back looking at what I did to provide for my family, with my own sweat.

I understand completely, even the simple act of bringing the logs into the house, I feel an air of confidence and pride when I look at my wife. Kind of like the cat bringing the mouse home in it's mouth...."see what I did?"
 
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When I was a boy, I suggested that my grandfather should put in an oil furnace and we could stop scrounging for and processing wood. He smiled, and said, "Oil is a lazy man's heat." I was a boy then, who was trying to get out of splitting some wood. The wisdom in my grandfather's statement took about a decade to germinate.

I like the idea that carrying on traditions or reliving memories has to be a driving factor for a lot of guys here.
 
When I was little like 5 or 6 I still remember going scrounging with my dad, I hated it he didnt work me like a kid he worked me like a man. Years went by and my dad and I grew apart ( he pushed everyone away) he was a verteran of the vietnam war and we were his soldiers, hes gone now but its funny how things live on. Now 37 years old I love tinkering with wood and stoves and all of you I guess thats why I do it because since I was a little guy Ive been doing it. I can afford natural gas and just write checks but thats not fun to me at this point in my life, wood burning is fun to me and you get to accumulate alot of cool toys in the process.
Thanks Dad.
 
My other ( real reason ) is simple I can provide heat for my family no matter what happens to the power or gas.

Pete

The urge to be self sufficient...another basic type of reaction to life.
 
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My wife was a cat in her last life and 75-80 is ideal temps for her; me, it gives me focus and an enjoyable hobby.
LOL I think mine still is sometimes, and I'm not sure she would disagree.
 
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Years ago it was an outlet for frustrations. Swing that ax, bust that wood, run that saw. Not many frustrations now. Old habits are hard to break. Great exercise. Did I say I like to cut wood. Did I say I like to play with fire.
 
1) Save money and not have to depend on hydro so much. Wood is plentiful and close where I'm at. And I am SUPER cheap.
2) As they get older, to teach my young sons that there's nothing wrong with hard work.
3) Great exercise.
4) Added bonus I didn't think of initially, can keep the house warmer than I used to with the electric furnace! Can walk around in shorts and t-shirt upstairs, HAVE to be in shorts downstairs where the stove is!
 
I do it mainly because I just love doing it. The savings are great, the extra warmth is great, but the real reason just comes down to enjoyment. If I factor in all the time I spend from getting the wood, chopping the wood, tending the fire, cleaning up, etc etc, the cost savings are not at all worth it to me. I just love getting out into the woods cutting up firewood, being outside splitting and stacking, watching my wood age, watching the fire, etc etc.

Its my opinion that wood burning is for those that like to "do for themselves" and enjoy the process. If you are a person who doesn't enjoy physical labor and being outside, I would never encourage someone to start burning wood.

I started burning 3 years ago when I was 24, and I firmly believe I will be a wood burner for life now. The immense satisfaction and pride I get heating my home and providing warmth for my family is something I don't think I will ever be able to give up after experiencing it!
 
I'm cheap and it's cheaper than electric. My wife was always cold, until the Fireview went in that is.


fv
 
I do it mainly because I just love doing it. The savings are great, the extra warmth is great, but the real reason just comes down to enjoyment. If I factor in all the time I spend from getting the wood, chopping the wood, tending the fire, cleaning up, etc etc, the cost savings are not at all worth it to me. I just love getting out into the woods cutting up firewood, being outside splitting and stacking, watching my wood age, watching the fire, etc etc.

Its my opinion that wood burning is for those that like to "do for themselves" and enjoy the process. If you are a person who doesn't enjoy physical labor and being outside, I would never encourage someone to start burning wood.

I started burning 3 years ago when I was 24, and I firmly believe I will be a wood burner for life now. The immense satisfaction and pride I get heating my home and providing warmth for my family is something I don't think I will ever be able to give up after experiencing it!

This. +1.
 
even though natural gas and electricity can do it for us with SO much less effort?
I get your point, but I think maybe you forgot all the work that goes into making the money to pay for the gas. Just sayin'.:cool:
I've liked fires since I was little. Don't know why, just do.
Primordial, Neanderthal-ish.
 
First reason were i live in the mountains the power is not always reliable.

Second reason it frees my mind of other things going on that worrying don't help me.
 
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