Waste Wood Fire Logs
As people look for renewable sources of heat, sometimes a remarkably good idea comes along. Waste wood manufactured firelogs are one such idea. Made from sawdust, wax, and recycled wood, manufactured fire logs are a great way to reuse things that would otherwise end up in a landfill somewhere. And wood products are definitely renewable.
Waste wood manufactured fire logs differ in how they are made according to brand. Some brands are made with environmental well-being in mind, while others are treated with pollutant chemicals to make them burn well. Manufacturers also claim that the firelogs burn much cleaner than natural wood. This claim, however, has been debated by air pollution researchers.
Waste wood manufactured fire logs are easier to use than wood in several ways. Obviously there is the fact that you don’t have to go out and cut them! But in addition to that, regular logs are messy to use. They bring dirt, debris, and sometimes insects into the house, and make the house cleaner’s job that much harder. Then you have to work at getting the fire started. The fire pops and throws sparks, and must be tended. Finally, you have to clean the ashes out of the stove or fireplace insert on a regular basis.
Manufactured logs eliminate almost all of this hassle. Purchase the paper wrapped logs at the store and pile them near the stove in a pretty basket. Then when you need a fire, simply light the paper wrapper and the log will burn evenly like a big candle. (Do follow the manufacturer’s instructions.) Very little ash will be left over, making cleaning up after them a snap.
Your chimneys will thank you, too. Fire logs have been found to cause only a fourth of the creosote build-up of regular logs. This makes them safer and reduces the chances of a chimney fire. For best results, look for the term “UL Listed” on the package. This means that they have been classified for safety.
If you ever want to build a fire in an old-fashioned fireplace, using waste wood manufactured fire logs will cut down greatly on the amount of smoke generated and general waste of heat. For use in wood stoves, look for manufactured logs that do not include wax in the formula. They should be made of sawdust only.
For best results with any sort of woodburning, use an EPA certified wood stove, and make sure you have a chimney sweep clean your chimney on a regular basis. Both of these measures will greatly reduce the amount of emissions you put into the air with your wood stove.
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