Great point. In NY many towns are outlawing the outdoor burners for just this reason. If people smoke out the neighbors with the indoor burners, it is only a matter of time before they got more and more regulated also. The new stoves are somewhat built with these people in mind as properly burning dry wood does not require a second stage of combustion for cleaning. Much like everything else in life, the many good pay for the few peoples bad habits.
Yup. They are allowed in my town but not in the next town over. The geniuses smoking out the neighborhood and burning tires are to blame. Can't say I can blame people for not wanting to have that next door.
We all have stories of trying to explain the safety and benefits of burning seasoned wood. We also have seen blank/confused/stupid/defiant looks that we receive in return. It is nice to know some people have been converted and their family is safer because of it. Sometimes I can get graphic on the consequences of a house fire and that tends to upset some people. Much like several others on the forum, I don't say much anymore. My family is safe and my gas bills are minimal.
On the other hand last night at work had a big red oak come down and break a pole and bring wires down when we got there to repair it the homeowner came out and asked what our plan was so I explained and said "I hope you burn wood" he had a huge smile and couldn't be more excited then proceeded to show me his wood shed and stacks and the fact he likes to be four years ahead and to get at least two years of good drying
Would like to add my thought... Last year found this group of guys and gals. read tons of info on hoarding wood, stacking wood, chainsaws etc etc. Barely made it through the winter with dead standing lodge pole pine. lots of smoke go figure it was dead. Made the effort to be three years ahead hated that feeling of turning up the furnace in the late winter and the spring when i should have been burning.. This year started early C/S/S to work on getting ahead sitting on twelve cords now. Would like three to four more cord in my three year plan. This is the funny part with question i have been asked 1. What are you doing with all that wood? 2. Why are you gathering wood so early it's not cold yet. 3. Could you lend me a cord or two 4. Did you split all of that by hand? 5. All that wood is going to rot. 6. Do you suffer from OCD. Sometimes an old dog learns a trick or two. People here don't get me but i keep on sharing what i am trying to do and maybe someone will catch on. I think the greatest is the satisfaction that i will not have to worry this year. Self sufficient and watching my gas bill stay the same as this past summer have been the main goal. Last thought my wife loves the warmth of the stove and i don't mind if i need to open the window a crack.
It's sad... So few people these days see the value in hard work - indeed many will attack the very thought of it. But before you go blaming young people for this, remember: you raised them (or maybe the TV did). People just want the magic-diet-pill solution these days. That being said, this actually doesn't seem to be an issue with many of my neighbors. Most of them are at least a year ahead. Maybe it comes with the territory, living in the middle of the woods: you clean up from enough wind storms, and you just end up with that much wood.
This is the funny part with question i have been asked 1. What are you doing with all that wood? Umm...burn it. 2. Why are you gathering wood so early it's not cold yet. I don't understand the question. Why do I have to wait for it to be cold? 3. Could you lend me a cord or two. So, what, are you going to return the ashes? 4. Did you split all of that by hand? < Flex bicep, and kiss it> 5. All that wood is going to rot. Not if I burn it first. 6. Do you suffer from OCD. Everybody is some sort of crazy. Others may include: Don't you think you have enough wood yet? Nope. Where did you get all that wood? From trees, mostly. Can I have some? Can I have some of your money?
Aside from the point a few posts back about local government policy changes due to poor air, how insurance companies deal with increased claims is a concern as well. If wood burners are known for clogged chimneys and chimney fires causing claims then insurance companies are surely to get tighter and tighter on the allowable practices we all enjoy. Its been my observation that insurance is much stricter in Canada regarding wood stoves.
Ahem, I have to tell you. The masses are really that dumb, these are the people who have no stored food, no supply of batteries, no water for emergencies/storms. So they need the news to tell them what to do
In my area, I have found standing dead tamarack burns good as is. Splits easy, no sizzling when you throw it in, lights right up on a coal bed. Seasoning it a year only makes it better. That's how we got through our first winter. Keep in mind, most of those trees were dead longer than I have been alive. The outer inch or so will go punky, the rest is harder than a morning pecker.
I have been in the store just like that, not for woodburning stuff, but plumbing, electrical, whatever. I am always grateful if someone sees it won't work and offers advice. Always!
Many moons ago WWW was traveling, we had dry rounds but I could not split them (already burned the small rounds) , I bought pallet scraps. Dry pine delivered to my doorstep. One of my customers was a single mom with high heating bills, she wanted to use her stove and bought a truckload of the pallet scraps too. Her neighbor told her the pine would ruin her stove and chimney. She hauled it to the dump.......
The trick is GETTING to where you have 2 - 3 years of wood ready. I'm not there and expect to be at it for another couple years, but I get it. It's just a matter of buying or processing enough wood beyond the immediate needs... I can say I do NOT miss the sound of the furnace coming on every few minutes.
Yeah but that's not by your choice and your working toward fixing it. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I think this thread is more or less covering the ones who don't care or to lazy to try and get ahead.
Next time you try to explain to someone about the advantages of burning dry wood and they can't grasp the idea of burning wood that is not laden with moisture, use the analogy of "then why don't we mix water in with our gasoline to make it last longer?" May help?
