After the 24+ hours without electric in February when I got so cold my brain froze and another several hours without heat in April I decided I never wanted to be that cold again.
So.............................
I've assured the neighbours that I don't intend to have a fire all the time - the oil boiler and the radiators are usually enough...........and without dust............... so hopefully won't cause them too many problems .
But for emergencies and extra cold evenings it will be handy to light a fire now and again.
No such thing as free wood now and wood prices follow other energy prices - sadly - but I've bought a big bag of kiln dried logs that came with free kindling wood so I'm ready for any winter power cuts or boiler breakdown.
I got the log basket from a car-boot sale last month for £5 because my log basket and all the fire tools were left at Clay Cottage - stupid woman! Haven't found a poker or small shovel yet but I'll keep looking.
Back Soon
Sue
We installed a version of that a few years ago after a colleague suffered 4 days without power in a snow covered Kent a few years ago and we deciced best to be prepared. We can cook on ours in an emergency. It doesn't heat water tho (unfortunately). We were fortunate enough to score all the wood from a row of trees cut down between us and a neighbour and had a free supply for about 4 winters. We agree its sensible to have back-up heating in place - you might have to be inviting the neighbours over to share when the power goes off again.
ReplyDeleteAfter having a wood-burner for nearly 30 years I really missed having a back up. Very pleased not to freeze again
DeleteBrilliant. Wouldn’t be without mine, about same size. I get kiln dried from The Log Store, pick up kindling on walks, dried nicely this summer. You won’t regret your decision, good luck. Sarah Browne
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to pick up kindling from the churchyard over the road once I've used what was free with the logs
DeleteSo cosy! I'd be tempted to have it on anyway, just for the company.
ReplyDeleteCan you keep things hot on top - such as warming up baked beans, etc?
xx
Bit worried about smoking out the neighbours as they have a house and me a bungalow their bedroom windows are much on a level with the chimney
DeleteWhen we lived in Dorset, loads of our friends had these - with little fans on top,. They all said the fans were brilliant at circulating the warm air round the room, making the logburner much more efficient. I just loved sitting looking at the flames through the glass.
ReplyDeleteAfter 30 years of always having a wood-burner I really missed it
DeleteWe bought a fan from lidl 2 winters ago for our log burner and yes, although I was initially skeptical, the heat circulated really well I would now recommend them. So pleased you have the back up warmth Sue, there's nothing worse than freezing in your own home.
DeleteWe have been thinking along those lines (remembering the winter of 2010 when we had no central heating from Christmas Day until April, as waiting for a replacement boiler on a Govt. grant.) However, we have no fireplace in the living room - just a stick against the wall pretend fireplace surround and in fill of decorative tiles. We DO have a fireplace in the kitchen, but the chimney area has been sealed off and used as a cupboard (complete with window at the back!) and the gas stove in it has been declared dangerous by one of the bods who worked here. So, do we replace that? It would be the cheapest option but it worries me that the gas would affect my asthma. Even so, as an emergency backup . . .
ReplyDeleteGlad you're sorted anyway.
As I'm in a bungalow it was easy to put the flue up and through the roof.
DeleteHow did you survive without proper heating for 4 months? Brrrrrrrrr!
I burn kiln dried logs on mine and there is no smoke from them whatsoever. I would not be without my woodburner.
ReplyDeleteWe used to burn all sorts of old rubbish at the smallholding and the smoke was awful!
DeleteI've never used kiln dried so look forward to finding out how much better it is
We can't put in a flue or chimney as this is a Listed building so I am not sure what we can do apart from wearing duvets!
ReplyDeleteand hope you don't lose power
DeleteA logburner would have to be a purchase you will never regret. I love ours during winter, so much warmer than an electric heater or heat pump (which so many places have now), and a great backup when the electricity goes down.
ReplyDeleteI think all new houses will have to have ground source heat pumps at some time - have no idea how they work
DeleteI would dearly love something like for that nothing beats the glow of a real fire or the warmth, but unfortunately burning wood or coal are major triggers for my asthma. I hope when you come to use it you do so for comfort rather than necessity and I'm sure you've got a lovely warm cosy winter to look forward to reading your many books in front of your lovely fire
ReplyDeleteAfter 30 years of a woodburner I certainly missed having an alternative to electric
DeleteI'm stocking up on candles, batteries and extra hot water bottles! I'm not allowed a fire because of my thatch.
ReplyDeleteI stocked up with batteries when the electric went off in February and still have them and I have a rechargable lantern which lasts a while
DeleteMy mother in law lives in a thatched cottage and she has a woodburner, something to do with a clay liner??? - I know zilch re.woodburner technicalities!
DeleteIf it is cold enough for a fire your neighbors would have their windows closed so I would not worry about smoking them out. We are tucked in the woods and use to lose power all the time especially in bad snow storms. So we have had a woodstove for years. And a couple of years ago we installed a generator, so we are good. With the price of fuel this winter We will be glad of the woodstove. We had several large trees that were leaning over the house cut down and now we have wood for a couple of years ahead.
ReplyDeleteCathy
We never paid for any wood at the smallholding for 23 years - it comes hard to buy it now!
DeleteLovely quilt did you make it yourself?
ReplyDeleteNo, it came from a garage sale years ago. It's a bit big for the sofa but is the only cover for it I have
DeleteYour new stove is an outstanding purchase and it will guarantee warmth/comfort. My wood/coal burning stove was originally bought to provide heat during snow storms when we lose power. It also reduces the need to burn oil when/if oil becomes outrageously costly. It is always good to have a backup plan.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly appreciated having an alternative for so many years
DeleteIt looks very cosy how did it work regarding a chimney vent did you have one already. Nothing like the smell of a log fire. Jean
ReplyDeleteNo chimney, the flue is double lined and goes up through the roof. It was easy as I am in a bungalow
DeleteLove the quilt-it’s the first thing I noticed in the photo! Catriona
ReplyDeleteI got it from garage sale years ago, it's wearing out in places
DeleteWe thought about getting a stove like yours when we had the ice storm last year in Feb. We were out of electricity for 9 days. A neighbor let us borrow his small gas generator and we paid him for the gas. No heat though a bit of lights and kept freezer and fridge working. Having batteries is a good idea. We needed one battery for our Coleman lantern we used alot. Did get one a few days after storm. Rarely do we have ice storms. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'll be using my wood stove to cook on this year. I'm already planning lots of casseroles and one pot dishes. The kettle will be on there for hot water for little washing up jobs and a quick sponge wash to save on gas.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have options available to you with the uncertainty this winter. Arilx
ReplyDeleteIt looks nice. A smart purchase.
ReplyDeleteYour woodstoves are so much more elegant than ours here in New England. I'm in Maine and I miss the security of having a woodstove so much. I have a propane space heater but it depends on electricity to start.
ReplyDeleteA wise addition. That's how we accumulated our fire tools; one at a time.
ReplyDeleteHow nice. It's my dream to have one in a house I own. I think just seeing a fire makes me feel warmer. I wish houses here were more like the ones in England. Ours is open plan here, no doors to living room, dining room or kitchen so everything has to be heated!
ReplyDeleteThat looks lovely Sue, I'm pretty jealous, I'm really missing ours and no doubt will miss it all the more if we have any more power cuts this Winter!!
ReplyDeleteAll set for Winter chills then. I'm so glad we have ours. It takes longer to boil the kettle on it from cold, however such a blessing when the power goes. No electricity is so expensive the electric Aga is only going on when really necessary. Back to woodturner top cooking! x
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