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I don't think it is BS. There are just many factors to consider. Many people burn wood and keep the house much warmer then they would will oil, propane or natural gas. I think sometimes we don't compare apples to apples.
Plus, we all come from different walks of life and professions. Some earn $10/hr. Some earn many times that. If you spend a winter day for 12 hrs taking down trees and bucking them. That could be a $1,500 day for some if they were working. For others, it is necessary to survive.
The reality is, anyone making many more times $10.00 per hr, is turning a thermostat up, or buying their wood already split, maybe even stacked for them, maybe not. They may be putting more money out for processed wood, but are most likely still saving much over oil or gas, if they are true wood burners burning 24/7 and heating their home or most of it, or even supplementing to save on fossil fuel.
Most on here are not taking time off from work to process wood. They are doing it on their free time, and the expense is minimal unless they buy lots of toys to go with it, which is not always a necessity, but a want.
Most on here will testify that they are saving a craplod of money vs paying for, and burning the standard fossil fuels. And getting the added benefit of exercise free of charge, rather than buying a Boflex that sits and collects dust, or paying a gym to use their equipment. Most, and I am one, enjoy being outside and processing, and it may be seen as labor yes, but it is labor I, and many other enjoy. It is also a feeling of accomplishment, and satisfaction of giving a big ol middle finger to the oil companies etc.
There ain't many making $1,500.00 a day, but there sure are a lot of folks saving a ton of dough over the heating season. And for me, a few weekends over the winter processing wood, rather than sitting on my arse watching TV, or other things, is something I truly enjoy. I pay anywhere from $600.00 to $750 for a load of pole length logs. Which will heat for at least 2 seasons. That equals approx. 200 to 250 gallons of oil at $3.00 a gallon. How far does a tank of oil last? More like how many top offs in a season? Like I said, no math needed. It is very obvious.
I do agree many will keep their home warmer and more comfortable, with a more satisfying heat. And many are doing that at a considerably cheaper cost than oil or gas.
So to generalize as the other poster did, and say that processing wood and enjoying the fruits of that labor/time makes your worth zero, is BS.
And the statement "If you work for more than minimum wage, it's a loss. Just burn oil or gas.", again is complete BS, and just a frustrated new burner lashing out.
See em every year here, they come & they go. While many of us are here year after year, processing our wood, staying nice and warm, and not trying to make ends meet doing so.
The source of the person making the statement, is obviously new to wood burning, an most of their posts are asking for help about the wet wood they are burning not burning right. So the statement source should be considered. It appears they did not consider there is effort involved, more than sliding a lever on a thermostat and walking away. So they make statements like this in frustration.
See it every year. So yes, the statement is BS.
If you can't handle the task, then buy some more oil, and turn the thermostat up. No need to grow a set then.