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How To Make Home Made Fire Place Logs

  • This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by Anonymous.
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  • #19778
    imported_admin
    Participant

      Q.  I recall having seen in the past (when I didn’t need it) a ‘recipe’ for
      home-made fireplace logs.  Anyone have any tried and true ideas? Thanks.
      Karen

      #20556
      Anonymous

        I remember reading about rolling bunches of newspapers really tight, tying with wire, soking them and letting them dry out to use as a log. I think it was in one of the tightwad gazette books.

        #20566
        imported_InAlabama
        Participant

          Here are instructions for making newspaper logs from Hints From Heloise
          First, make a 1-inch stack of newspapers (do not use colored or glossy advertisements), being sure to alternate the folded sides of each newspaper section. Roll the stack tightly, then slip a can with ends removed around it and push the can to the middle of the roll to hold it together.

          Next, wet the rolled newspaper logs with some water, then let them dry thoroughly. FYI: This is very important, since the wetting/drying process helps compress the “logs,” which will help them stay together better when burning.

          After the newspaper log has been burned, use caution — let the can cool completely, or use a pair of tongs to remove it.

          #20568
          imported_InAlabama
          Participant

            Oh and there is also a machine called a Newspaper Log Roller.
            You can find where to purchase them by doing a search on a good search engine such as Google or alltheweb.com.  I have also seen them on Ebay. :)

            #20733
            imported_trudyu
            Participant

              I use newspaper logs in conjunction with wood during the winter. I used the article form the TightwadGazette
              as my source. Based on information I found there I simply make logs by rolling about 2″ of plain newspaper (no colored pages) into as tight a roll as possible and secure with wire. The article indicates there is little difference between soaked and unsoaked logs and the soaked ones can take up to 3 months to dry. Where I live wet newspaper would probably decompose in that period of time. I find that it is pretty convenient to simply roll a log or two each Sunday. The only problem I’ve run into is finding enough metal coat hangers to make the fasteners. I don’t send much to the cleaners  and have been using the same plastic hangers for years. People at work think I am crazy when I beg for wire hangers!

              #20734
              imported_trudyu
              Participant

                oh … I thought I would add that I have not had any problem with the unsoaked logs coming apart when they are burning. There have been no incidents of burning bits of paper floating up or anything.

                #20983
                Anonymous

                  Don’t forget to have your chimney swept regularly.  Especially at the beginning of the heating season.  Birds build nest in them sometimes.  Plus newspaper and Pine can create a lot of creosote, which is flammable.  So it wouldn’t hurt to do it at least midseason as well.  Check with your local fire department for more information.

                  #21354
                  Anonymous

                    Hello – we make newspaper logs simply by rolling the newspaper as suggested below, but then wrapping them with masking tape around the middle to hold them together.  No looking for wire to hold them closed or having to sift the wire or can ends out of the ash after they burn.
                    We used to have a roller – it rolled them tighter but was difficult to get the rolled log off the roller.
                    We also have tried wetting them but the drying process was so long that we didn’t have places to store a signifcant number of logs during the process.
                    Hope this information helps

                    #21615
                    Anonymous

                      I use a 3/4″ pipe or broom handle as the center. Lay out an unfolded section internal of the fold up, start rolling tightly. When there is still about 6″ left sticking out from under the roll, layer another unfolded section on top of the piece sticking and continue this way until it’s as thick a log as you want. I use twine to tie it up in three (thirds) places on the roll. Less expensive than tape.  
                      Oh, and slide out the pipe when you’re done…

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