Check the packaging before choosing to see if that particular log will aid in cleaning your chimney. Not all fire logs have cleansing properties. Some fire logs are formulated specifically to reduce the existing creosote buildup in the chimney. Creosote builds up over time with the burning of natural wood.Īrtificial fire logs are cleaner and safer to use in a fireplace than are natural logs. Most regular chimney maintenance revolves around removing creosote and reducing the possibility of a chimney fire. Chimney MaintenanceĬreosote is a dangerous chemical that can build up in chimneys after prolonged burning. This figure will vary depending on room size and insulation, but keep in mind that significant heat gains do not always last long. Some of the hottest burning fire logs can increase the temperature in a room by an average of 45 degrees. Some brands use compositions that offer more heat than others. Nearly all varieties of natural wood appropriate for fireplace burning achieve higher, longer-lasting temperatures. If heating a household is the priority, seek out natural wood. WarmthĪrtificial fire logs provide some heat, but they are not known for their intensity or long periods of warmth. Fire logs emit 50 to 70 percent less carbon monoxide than firewood. Fire logs made from coffee grounds have the added benefit of emitting the smell of coffee as they burn. Some brands claim emissions reduction of up to 80 percent over natural wood. In some brands, the ashy byproduct of the burnt logs can be used as garden mulch. Manufacturers develop fire logs to burn slowly and cleanly. Since then, organic farm waste, coffee grounds, and nuts and shells have replaced petroleum products. The original sawdust and petroleum wax fire logs of the 1960s did not burn very cleanly. The convenience of fire logs over natural wood is in large part due to this characteristic. The wrapper lights easily and spreads evenly to the compressed material within. Fire logs are easy to light the wrapper serves as the fire log’s accelerant.īuilding a fire with fire logs takes as much time as it takes to set the log in the hearth, open the damper, and flick the lighter. Traditional fires require the proper build of kindling, paper, wood, and coaxing to burst forth. One of the primary benefits of fire logs is a quick light time. Burning multiple logs will not increase burning time, but it does present potential safety hazards and chimney or flue damage. Keep in mind that only one fire log should burn at a time. Most manufacturers list an approximate burn time on their packaging. Some brands even include nutshells and seeds to simulate the crackling of a natural wood fire. In the intervening decades, fire log manufacturers also have incorporated coffee grounds, recycled biomass materials, like organic farming waste, and natural oils (in place of petroleum wax). The most prominent original ingredient was sawdust mixed with petroleum wax. The main difference in burn time is the material from which the fire log is constructed. Manufacturers of some long-lasting varieties say their logs burn up to six hours. Most fire logs burn for two to four hours. Read up on the following characteristics to learn how to find the best fire logs for your hearth. They are easy to light with a single flame, require no preparation, and burn for two to four hours. Photo: What to Consider When Choosing the Best Fire LogsĪrtificial fire logs are constructed from materials varying from recycled coffee grounds to sawdust and petroleum waxes.
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