Weird Flex of having a Fireplace

The last house I lived in (family home) had a wood burning stove. Great heat from it, and you could cook on it in a pinch, but the effort and hassle in obtaining and storing fuel, cleaning it out not to mention lighting the damn thing is not to be underestimated. My father was on warfarin to prevent strokes which made him very sensitive to the cold and he liked to keep the sitting room at a balmy 22 degrees. We also had oil-based heating, and hot water for showers was powered by solar. With no power, we were grand.

Where I live now, all cooking is electricity based. Gas powered central heating - which wont work if there is no power. I bought a Hexi stove in case we lost power so I could cook something. I also have a portable barbecue but I'd have to wait for the wind to die down.

In an urban or sub-urban environment, I'd expect power going to be rare and only for short periods. In a rural setting, like my family home was, I think it's wise to have the best of all worlds because prolonged periods with no power is possible and indeed likely.

If I moved into somewhere that had a fireplace, no way would I be removing it. Most likely get a cover for it, so the heat in the room is not being sucked up the chimney.

There's no reason to flex for having a fireplace while electricity goes out. Yes, you won't freeze, but you'll be in one room, in the dark, food rotting in the fridge, no internet, no hot water, or even no water at all. If anything, having a generator will be a much better reason to flex.

I have an open fire, we use it during the winter, mainly on weekends. I also have oil which works on an electric switch. We like having it, not much hassle with it. But I certainly wouldn't be flexing or cheerleading about having it, it's just our choice.

Arnold Schwarzenegger biceps flex - for that authentic 1980s experience. Won't go too well with the Neff appliances and granite countertops though.

https://www.adverts.ie/other-antiques-collectables/original-super-ser-retro-heater/33430462

We're getting in a back boiler stoves to heat hot water and rads. Our old back boiler, 40+ years old, just gave up last week.

Love the fire and never mind cleaning out and buying smokeless fuel, which I buy by the tonne.

Whatever suits each home is good for them is my take on it.

And the only fkex I know of is the bloody one I trip over occasionally when it's left lying around😀

Induction hobs are not superior in every way, for start they are much more expensive to buy and run, but indeed they are more convenient and good enough for almost all home cooking. With gas you get more heat and faster, and there are no fumes unless you burn the food, gas burns extremely clean if the cooker is well maintained. That being said I 100% prefer electric hob and oven over gas ones, but I'm no chef.