Blessings of a Wood Stove

[Jimxj2000]

We (me, wife and 4 kids - 9 yrs to 1 year old) just went 6 days with the power out after the ice storm in NH. The last two days we had a small generator for some lights and running the water pump. First 4 days were candles, flashlights and wood stove. We could not have made it without the stove.

With the stove we had normal heat, hot food and hot water. Without it we could not have stayed at home.

It was a lot of work to keep life close to normal; made us really appreciate the modern conveniences. And gives a new understanding to how much work was involved in just being able to live years ago.

With one day of bad weather, the wood stove can be the difference between roasting marshmallows with the kids or packing up and heading out. It was a blessing.

On the lighter side of things - several of our relatives, who know we heat with wood, asked (cell phones still worked) if the kids were all bundled up in sleeping bags down by the wood stove. Confused, we said "no they are up in bed". I still don't think they understand you really can heat a house with a wood stove.

 

[Summertime]

Glad to hear you fared well, I hope I don't have to experience what you went through ever but it's good to know you can at least heat your home without electricity.

 

[btj1031]

Similar experience here. We ran the heck out of our little stove for about three days until we got the new generator set up. We also got water in our basement, and it went down to zero on Saturday night, so the wood stove was about the only positive thing for awhile. We were without power for 4 1/2 days. Ultimately, no pipes froze, no real water damage. Both the stove and the generator are the best ~$2K investments we have ever made.

 

[Valhalla]

Jim,

Glad that you turned the consequences of this past storm around and in a most positive way.

Well done!


PS And that Vermont Castings Encore with more than a few years on it, served you well!

 

[lexybird]

, asked (cell phones still worked) if the kids were all bundled up in sleeping bags down by the wood stove. Confused, we said "no they are up in bed". I still don't think they understand you really can heat a house with a wood stove.

its funny how so many people nowadays dont realize the kind of heat potential a good running stove with dry wood can put off
glad it worked out for you and your family ,theres nothing like wood heat ..nothing

 

[Malatesta]

Love the wood heat ,there is nothing like it. Especially when the wood is free. Stoves these days are like nite and day compared to 20-30 years ago. Even thou the oldies are still good,just not as efficient.

People just dont realize how much a stove can be a life saver in bad weather,not to mention the heating cost of oil or natural gas.

 

[Techstuf]

With one day of bad weather, the wood stove can be the difference between roasting marshmallows with the kids or packing up and heading out. It was a blessing.

Hey Jimj, powerful statement. That would make an awesome signature!


TS

 

[BJ64]

It is good to hear from you folks. It was not just some storm, it was a threat to survival and you all did well.

I'd like to point out one thing. True survivors are grateful for many things and they seldom give credit to themselves.

The stove was not the blessing. I agree it made things possible and it was invaluable during this ordeal and all that - but. My friends, you all, are the blessing - for having the foresight to make it happen. Without you that stove was just another cold chunk of iron.

In the long run you all are better off as a family. You don't endure things like this with out getting closer together. It is good you all did so well. Your kids will have stories to tell their grand kids, and it will be abut the storm and how you got them through it.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Love the wood heat ,there is nothing like it. Especially when the wood is free. Stoves these days are like nite and day compared to 20-30 years ago. Even thou the oldies are still good,just not as efficient.

People just dont realize how much a stove can be a life saver in bad weather,not to mention the heating cost of oil or natural gas.

Today's stoves are indeed great, but long ago we used to be without power for long periods many times throughout the year. It was just one of those facts of life you lived with. We got along quite well then as we do now. It is mostly a matter of attitude!

Glad your NE fellows made it through. Now get ready for some deep snow. We're about done with it so are pushing it your way.

 

[ScottF]

Stoves these days are like nite and day compared to 20-30 years ago. Even thou the oldies are still good,just not as efficient.

Woodcrib. Yes the oldies are still good, We just went 6 days with no power and my stove was built in 1904. It heated our house beautifully and was the only saving grace. Our old parlor stove heats our 3000 sf house with all 19 ft ceilings on the first floor.

 

[Techstuf]

I’d like to point out one thing. True survivors are grateful for many things and they seldom give credit to themselves.

Amen to that!


TS

 

[techieguy]

This is the main reason that my wife and I put in a wood stove this year. We have been without power at least once per winter with only kerosene heaters to warm which didn't do a decent job. The house would be about 60 and then you would still have to keep a window or two crack to keep the CO from building up. Thus far we haven't had a power outage, but have been burning 24/7 keeping the house much warmer than the heat pump would and the electric bill has been 30-40% lower ;-)

 

[crazy_dan]

been there done that even got the T-shirt. last year we went about 10 days with no electric and I had loaned my generator to my dad in IL because his electric was out a day before ours went out.
The funny part was the wife used to always make fun of how I always had to have back ups to electric appliances like a manual can opener and a couple of oil lamps, well not anymore I think she finally got it after that