The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

VJsmum

greenbee said:

@boazu - it's the sale of wet wood in small volumes that's been banned, not the burning of it. Slight difference, and for most people, who buy less than 2m cubed at a time, it will solve the problem. For those who cut their own and don't bother to check moisture levels, it won't. Likewise those who buy in larger quantities are going to have to be trusted to follow instructions. 

The rules are less than 20% moisture, which doesn't mean it has to be kiln-dried. In fact, barn dried is probably a more eco-friendly option as it takes longer and is a natural air-drying process rather than using heat (which is probably generated using fossil fuels). So depending on your priorities, you might want to investigate the most ethical and sustainable source of fuel. 

Greenbee   - that is  very  reassuring   as  we  burn  wood  we   get  for   free  through  our  volunteering activities  with a  preserved railway.  It would otherwise be burned anyway as they cut down dead and diseased trees.  We store ours  for a couple of years  until it is well under 20% moisture (more like <10%).   As you say, I'd have  thought  that was even better  than   kiln dried  for  the environment.  I'm  thrilled   with   our  woodburner ,  it is really reassuring to  know  we have an alternative source   of heat  that isn't  relying on outside supplies..

[Deleted User]

Prepping is a very individual thing, as diverse as the personalities of the people who call themselves preppers and as diverse as the prepping they each choose to indulge in.  There is no written manual to follow, no conventions to adhere to and no set of rules that have to be obeyed it's the choices of each individual person whatever their reasons are for becoming a prepper in the first place. What some do others consider inadequate or vastly over the top, the preps we each put in place will be different and will be made for different reasons and presumably made to our own satisfaction and to our own individual needs. No approval or permission is necessary for any of us to make those preparations and we are all of us on a level and equal playing field when it comes to decision making over what we feel is a necessary level of stocks, equipment, information and practical skills for our own peace of mind. It's something to bear in mind isn't it?

VJsmum

I should add that we bought kiln dried this year as the pandemic meant we couldn't get to Wales to restock so i've nothing against it at all.  Just pleased that our seasoned wood is still ok.

I'm a prepper for Justin rather than the apocalypse and to fit in with my lifestyle - i'd love to do allomenteering and such but don't seem prepared to commit to one.  I do love a well kept allotment though - i often detour on my walk to go past our local ones for a nose and a sniff!

Nargleblast

I don't possess a wood burning stove, but if I did I would certainly check up on the legislation and make sure I was complying with the law whilst doing the best I could environmentally. I think many more people are environmentally aware now, and want to do the right thing. I guess the legislation is intended to clamp down on those bozos who pick up any old garbage to chuck on the fire, thinking they're clever and frugal.
I have gas central heating, but my energy company produces a lot of  cleaner, "renewable" energy, if that's the right term? 

maryb

Wood with more than 20% moisture doesn’t burn well anyway and would be a pig to get a fire going.  But our tree surgeon has always sold us seasoned wood which, like yours VJs, comes from dead or diseased trees which would release their carbon whether they rot or burn.  And our stove is a Clearview which is efficient enough that we can use it in a smoke free zone.  So I will carry on loving my stove and burning less fossil fuel gas

daz378

Yea I was grateful  for extra cupboard supplies  at the start of the pandemic,  if shops were too busy , less cause for panic....this must have knocked people out of their normalcy bias. 

Nargleblast

Going into busy shops was never a favourite occupation of mine, I like to keep space between me and other shoppers. I was pleased that I had bought some chapati flour from Tesco prior to the pandemic, a 5 kg bag of white and a 10kg bag of wholemeal. Kept sealed  in a cool, dry place, it was used for most things that you buy ordinary flours for.

silvasava

Very interesting posts on woodburners. We've had a Charnwood for quite a few years now. We burn wood we've stored for at !east 2/3 years  depending on the type. Most of ours comes from various neighbours who have had trees pollarded or pruned so we get conifer ( not good, takes ages cos of the resins) Oak, Ash and Eucalyptus (lovely smell!) We've never had to have our chimney swept as there's no soot in the flue. We don't run it all the time as like most of you we have GCH but I do like to toast my toes lol.  I swear we only got one cos DH wanted a chainsaw.......... he's got 3!

LameWolf

VJsmum said:

I'm a prepper for Justin rather than the apocalypse and to fit in with my lifestyle - i'd love to do allomenteering and such but don't seem prepared to commit to one.  I do love a well kept allotment though - i often detour on my walk to go past our local ones for a nose and a sniff!

I'm with you on that. I've always prepped for Justin, having autoimmune issues and not always being able to go and get supplies; and it's doubly important now that both of us have life-changing illnesses, as we don't have anyone else we can call on if our health situation goes t*ts up.

pollyanna_26

LameWolf said:

VJsmum said:

I'm a prepper for Justin rather than the apocalypse and to fit in with my lifestyle - i'd love to do allomenteering and such but don't seem prepared to commit to one.  I do love a well kept allotment though - i often detour on my walk to go past our local ones for a nose and a sniff!

I'm with you on that. I've always prepped for Justin, having autoimmune issues and not always being able to go and get supplies; and it's doubly important now that both of us have life-changing illnesses, as we don't have anyone else we can call on if our health situation goes t*ts up.

It occurred to me last year Wolfie that many of us have been in training for these "Interesting Times" for years in many ways.

Opening doors with an elbow, exit stage left if someone is coughing and spluttering, planning ahead for the not functional days etc.etc.

There's a Pratchett quote about the things you do that you don't realise what you're doing at the time. Fibro Fog means I can't remember the exact wording but it struck me last year that we'd unknowingly developed a lot of strategies over the years that were a sort of Pandemic Prepping.

pollyx