Care to do the maths?, Take away the gas, leccy and coal.............................

[Tarrel]

Quote:As for chopping wood...it can be difficult. I'm sure for the older on the forum, it's not ideal. Youngens will probably enjoy the workout, like I do, but I see how people with bad backs, like NR, might struggle with it. Also, people without a high level of fitness may struggle in the colder months with cutting the wood as required (but being prepared means you've already cut it, right?).

I find it the other way round. Easier in winter, hard in warm, humid summer weather.

As our Rayburn provides cooking, hot water and central heating, it goes through a LOT of wood. So, I've invested in the toys to make the job easier; decent chainsaw, decent sawbench and a hydraulic log-splitter. I know these may not be as useable after TSHTF, and I do do some manual splitting to keep fit and practice the technique, but why not use the tools when they are available? (Our wood is also very resinous and sinewy, so doesn't split cleanly with an axe or splitting maul).