Being Prepared For Wood Heating
Snow will cover the woods soon!
Now that winter has finally arrived, we are in cold weather mode. Keeping the wood stoves cranking has become first order of the day. Making sure we have kindling, dry kindling that is, some paper for starting the fire and some nice dry wood for the fire. Some wood for both stoves. Keeping the chimney clean and safe. Not complaining though, firewood work means a nice cozy house! Sometimes I will use dried corncobs or dried pine cones for kindling. It works and is easy to find.
Essential Tools For Our Firewood Supply!
Many jobs are involved within the framework of getting your own firewood. From learning how to use a chainsaw, to cutting the trees down, cutting the wood and then splitting it. And that doesn’t even cover transporting it and splitting it. Many people use splitters that are powered with gasoline or electric. My husband does it by hand. He looks it too…..nice muscles! Doesn’t have to work out at a gym for that.
Kindling for fire starting!
We like to collect dry kindling and keep it that way. It is one of the most important factors in starting fires in the cold weather. Damp or wet does not start a fire good. You have to really work at that. A little paper and some kindling is all you need to get your fire started. I have noticed that many people put big pieces of wood on top of the kindling. Don’t do that! Put smaller pieces, but bigger than the kindling, of course. Then when they start going, add the bigger logs. Slowly. Or you will smother the fire.
Pine Cones for kindling!
Try if you can, to stock firewood up, as well, as the kindling. Make sure you have all the essentials for keeping warm and cooking all winter. The chainsaw needs to be sharpened, so you need to learn how to do that. Have extra files for sharpening it on hand. Extra chains for each chainsaw you use. Gas mix is important also. Take good care of the chainsaw, and it will take care of you. My husband has had his one chainsaw since 2000. He still uses it the most, and it is a good heavy duty one. Respect it, and it will respect you back. They are very dangerous. I can speak with experience on that, he almost cut his foot off with his and had to go the hospital. Very, very bad!
Wood stacked!
Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole
Tags: Alternative Energy | off-the-grid | wood heat
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