Best Overall
Duraflame Gold 4.5-Pound Fire Logs
Best Bang For The Buck
Duraflame 2.5-Pound Fire Logs
Best Long-Lasting
Pine Mountain 4-Hour Fire Log
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When outdoor temperatures drop and sweaters come out of store , there ’s nothing quite like the crackle of a real fire . It ’s tough to beat the ambience , allurement , and all - around warmness of a flame , whether it ’s in a fireplace , a wood - burning stove , or a fire pit . Sourcing natural wood can be challenging , however , if you do n’t live in an area where it ’s plenteous . In addition , real Sir Henry Wood log can be heavy and difficult to get down .
go into flame log . Made from flat Grant Wood product such as sawdust and treated with wax to get off easily , fire logs will typically combust for 2 to 4 hours . While we like the recycling face of many fire log — why cut down more Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree when leftoverwoodproducts can be reused?—we were n’t certain if these products were all they ’re crack up to be , so we resolve to prove them . Over 3 weeks , we burned scores of fire logs in fireplace , chimineas , outdoor firing pits , and wood - burning stove . Before purchasing , discover how the following brands earned a spot in this lineup of the good flak logsfor most fireplace . Plus , find out the pros and bunko game we reveal in our hired man - on examination .
How We Tested the Best Fire Logs
We search twelve of flack logs in their respective category before choose the top performing artist ( base on ratings ) to essay .
Most firing logson our list are advertize as producing fewer carbon monoxide discharge than traditional Mrs. Henry Wood , thus reducing toxin in the home and bound the amount ofharmful smoke . These stilted logs come in various quantities and comprise rude cloth such as literal hardwood , waxes , biomass fiber , sawdust , molasses , shell , and nuts .
In genuine testing , we cauterise the fire logs as instructed by the maker , noting how easy they were tolight , how long they cut , and how much real rut they produced . We noted any added fragrance and looked for chemical substance - type smells ; however , none of the log we tested emitted chemical smells . The exception in our testing was the Pine Mountain Creosote Buster blast log . We could not determine that it made much of a difference in the soot and creosote buildup in our fireplace lamp chimney , so we remark how long it burned . In the terminal analysis , we had to establish our honor for this product on former user valuation .
For each test or notice , we awarded points based on a title . The better the logarithm performed , the more point it received . After examination , we added and averaged the point for each blast log and used the result to decide the good category for each one .
Our Top Picks
These fire logs earned a place on our lean by being easy to light in our hands - on psychometric test , burning uniformly , andburning as long as advertised by their producer . Each Cartesian product differ slightly — some burn longer , some add a pleasant scent , and some will facilitate keep a chimney clean . At least one of these ardor logs is potential to add together some snugness to a cold winter ’s nighttime .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct channel our steel ’s high level of recommendation .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY ware that impressed us most in our literal - macrocosm examination and that represent core values of the Bob Vila brand , including workmanship , innovation , and value for the dollar . Winners of this appellation come urge by our professional review team and are personally O.K. by Bob Vila .
Our Ratings : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration:4/5 , Warmth:4/5 , Eco - Friendliness:4/5
The gravid , bright flames of the Duraflame Gold fire logs are just the thing to impart informal illumination to any room . We tested the fire logs in our fireplace and out-of-door chiminea . These rich 4.5 - hammering fire logs were well-situated to light : We follow the operating instructions and lit the paper housecoat on both sides , and the entire log burned brightly within just a few minutes . It continued burning for an impressive 3 hour . We did n’t acknowledge much warmth when we bite the Duraflame Gold sign in the outdoor chiminea , but when we burned one in our she - shed fireplace , it raised the room temperature about 12 degree in just an hour . Keep in mind that most flame logs are designed more for ambience than for heat a elbow room , but they do typically breathe some heat .
The Gold log did n’t produce any Mary Jane as it sting , but a ok level of lampblack emerged on the interior of our fireplace pursuit after we ’d burned several of them . One of the nicest perks of this log is its eco - favorable ingredients , admit recycled wood , fibers , and wax . We revalue being able to enjoy the cozy tactual sensation and visible light of a genuine fire without worrying about toxic chemicals .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Get the Duraflame Gold ardour logs atLowe’s , Amazon , Walmart , orSam ’s Club .
Our evaluation : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration:3/5 , Warmth:3/5 , Eco - Friendliness:4/5
Duraflame produces a wide of the mark ambit of fireplace products , including these 2.5 - pound fire logs , which are about half the size of some of the other products we tested . We burned this logarithm in an old wood - burning cooking stove that we use to heat a prominent store . It was easy to fall by watch over the instructions , which were nothing more than folding out the seam on the newspaper wrapper and then lighting it along the line using a single match .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The entire log was on flack within 5 minutes , and it burn for just over 1 hr . Duraflame advertises a burn time of at least 1.5 hours , so we were slimly disappointed but also wondered if it might have burned faster because we burn it along with other small wood log . We retested with only the Duraflame log , and it burn for well-nigh 2 hours . While these Duraflame fire log are minuscule than other products , they create a soothing ardour with very little smoke . Plus , we estimated that the temperature in the shop conk up about 10 degree during the testing mental process .
Get the Duraflame 2.5 - pound flame log atLowe’sorWalmart .
Our paygrade : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration:5/5 , Warmth:4/5 , Eco - Friendliness:5/5
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Shoppers whose end is to give ear out in front of the fire for an extended period might find the Pine Mountain 4 - hr fire log to be just the just the ticket . The manufacturer advertises a 4 - hour burn clock time , which is longer than many other artificial firing logs . In our testing , the log exceeded expectations and cauterise for nearly 5 time of day , although the flaming were moderately lowly during the final 30 hour . As with the other fire log , we observe the instruction and lit the theme wrapper . Within about 7 moment , the entire log was absorb . It raise tall , absolved flaming for the first 4 60 minutes and emanated gentle warmth the entire time it burn . The log is make of recycled hardwood , molasses , shells , and nuts — an eco - well-disposed writing .
Get the Pine Mountain 4 - 60 minutes fire log atAmazon , Walmart , orH - E - B.
Eco-Friendly Pick
Enviro-Log 4.3-Pound Fire Logs
Our Ratings : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration:3/5 , Warmth:4/5 , Eco - Friendliness:5/5
Break out the wiener , s’mores supplying , or other favorite campfire goody ! Enviro - Log fire log are made from tight cardboard and nutrient - ground level waxes , and the wrapping claims the product to be suitable for cooking , so we toasted a few marshmallows over the affectionate fire . Before we come to cooking , we stacked two fire logs together as the steering suggested . The log lit well : Their newspaper publisher housecoat capture firing immediately with a lit match , and the log burn steadily for 2.5 hours . That was about 30 min short of the advertised fourth dimension , but many factor can contribute to logs burning slower or faster .
In our tests , we combust these logs in an outdoor chiminea during some impregnable breezes , which may have caused them to glow more quickly . Unfortunately , we could n’t retest elsewhere because those were the only two solid access the package . The other four had been crushed in their wrapper , likely during the packing material or the shipping cognitive operation . However , we were still impressed by the two logs we were able to prove . Enviro - Log attack logs are suitable for well-nigh any fire - burning appliance , include indoor and out-of-door fireplaces , Natalie Wood - burning stoves , and fervency pit , and can even be used for campfire .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Enviro - Log fire logs atLowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best Creosote Removal
Pine Mountain Creosote Buster Fire Log
Our valuation : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration : N / A , Warmth : N / A , Eco - Friendliness:2/5
The Pine Mountain Creosote Buster fire logarithm is designed to help rid a lamp chimney of light creosote buildup . A specially formulated powder integrate into the logarithm dissolve into a gas when under combustion . This gas break down creosote compounds in a lamp chimney to avail melt off the danger of achimney fervency . It was challenging to rate this fervidness log because a lamp chimney expanse had just cleaned our chimney a few week before we undertake the ardour - log testing project . We had no absolute way of eff whether the Creosote Buster was in effect at clean the lamp chimney , but we mistrust it help thin out some soot buildup .
We await to test this log until after we ’d tested all the other fire logs and did a ocular review of the lamp chimney before and after using the Creosote Buster . The chimney did seem slightly cleaner after we ’d burned the logarithm . This creosote - cleaning fire logarithm is advertised to cauterise with 80 pct few emissions than cordwood . The lighting operation is slightly different than with the other logs we tested . Rather than station the Creosote Buster fire logarithm in the grate and lighting it , we depart a regular firing with wood and then place this log on top of the burn off pile after about 30 minutes . It took about 5 minutes to full catch fire and burned for just over 1 hour . According to Pine Mountain , the active ingredient in the attack logarithm is a “ powder ” that creates an “ active gas ” that attacks creosote in the lamp chimney . While the producer does n’t indicate the precise name of the pulverization , we did not notice any unusual feel .
Photo: lowes.com
Pine Mountain recommends burning the Creosote Buster fervour log after every 40 fires to keep the chimney clean . We remember using this blast logarithm may be a good way to keep excessive creosote from build up in the chimney , but we ’d still recommend hiring a manifest lamp chimney sweep to clean the lamp chimney professionally once per class in late drop .
Get the Pine Mountain Creosote Buster attack log atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orWalmart .
Best Starter Logs
Pine Mountain StarterLogg Firestarter
Our Ratings : Lighting Ease:4/5 , Burn Duration : N / A , Warmth:1/5 , Eco - Friendliness:5/5
For those who prefer a existent Natalie Wood fire to an artificial flaming log , learn out these fire log from Pine Mountain . The StarterLogg is a bridge between hokey logsand firing newcomer . It ’s not a traditional flak logarithm in the mother wit it wo n’t generate enough heat and flames to provide an enjoyable fire . However , while most fervidness starters only burn 3 to 8 minutes on average , the StarterLogg burns for about 15 to 20 moment . This extra burning at the stake time make it well suitable for employment with firewood that is difficult to light , such as maple or oak tree .
The logs descend in a mold cube of four piece and contain ground biomass and nutshell held together with a wax binder . We broke off a stern of the regular hexahedron — the grooves make it easy to weaken off chunk — and then placed it beneath some logs in the fireplace . It took three endeavor with match to get the StarterLogg lump to catch fire , but when it did , it rapidly imprint a hot flame sufficient for catching the material wood logs on flak .
Photo: amazon.com
While the Pine Mountain StarterLogg is n’t made to create a fervour on its own , we found it help get a woods fire to set off burning . The lump we startle the fire with burn out in about 15 hour , but we had a roar fire by then . Keep this product ready to hand near a wood - burning hearth , kitchen stove , or outdoor fervidness stone pit to start Ellen Price Wood fervour easily .
Get the Pine Mountain StarterLogg fervour log atAmazonorWalmart .
Best Sound Effects
Duraflame Crackleflame Fire Logs
Our Ratings : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration:3/5 , Warmth:2/5 , Eco - Friendliness:5/5
Any blast can allow warmth and elucidation , but a crackling fire offer up a bit more naturalism that is reminiscent of the natural pops see when literal Sir Henry Joseph Wood is sting in a campfire . We were slightly skeptical that the Duraflame Crackleflame fire logs would mimic the genuine thing , but we terminate up being pleasantly surprised . The log lit quick and became amply immerse in about 4 to 5 bit . For the first 10 minutes or so , we did n’t listen any crackling , but then a pop or crackle would hap on a regular basis — about twice per minute until the log were almost cauterize out .
We did n’t notice a flock of heat emanating from the Crackleflame logs , but they provided bright , attractive , and clear flames . The burn time was about 2.5 hour — slightly less than the 3 hour the manufacturing business claim — but it was warm in the room , so we open up a window . The lead draft may have sped up the burn time . This is an gratifying fire log for anyone who want to sit by a snug fire , chat , take a Scripture , or just relax , and the add crackle result is a nice touch .
Photo: lowes.com
Get the Duraflame Crackleflame fervidness logs atLowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Also Consider
Pine Mountain Ultra Flame Fire Log
Our Ratings : Lighting Ease:5/5 , Burn Duration:4/5 , Warmth:4/5 , Eco - Friendliness:5/5
Ultraflame blast logs from Pine Mountain produce bright , unclouded flames and burn uniformly for 3.75 minute during our testing — longer than the manufacturer ’s advertised 3 hours . Like most of the fire logs we tested , the Ultraflame logs combust speedily with just a standard long - bbl tripping . The log were fully plunge in about 6 minutes and then provided mesmerize fire and some welcoming heating plant until they burned down . We liked that they ’re made from natural ingredients — hardwood sawdust and ground nutshells — or else of toxic chemicals .
These long - burn fire logs are great for creating a snug atmosphere — a undivided Ultraflame log can serve as a warming focal point in the room for a family assemblage or relaxing after a day ’s work . In add-on , we did n’t find extra carbon black residue in the fireplace chase after test an Ultraflame log .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Pine Mountain Ultraflame ardor logs atAmazonorWalmart .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Fire Log
Artificial fire logarithm are often construct from recycled materials — such as deep brown ground and nutshells — sawdust , and waxes . They areeasy to lightwith a single lucifer or light . Many come individually wrapped in newspaper , and instructions typically steer user not to transfer the paper but to put the whole package in the fireplace and get down it . When choosing fire logs , shoppers will want to consider these factors .
Burn Time
Most manufacturers number an approximate burning fourth dimension on their packaging , and the majority lay claim their products burn for 2 to 4 hour . Manufacturers of some long - go mixed bag lay claim their logs combust up to 6 hour . The longest - burning log we tested stayed lit for nearly 5 hours , but the flames were passably modest in the last 30 minute and failed to emanate any genuine heat .
The first blast logs on the market were mostly sawdust mixed with petroleum wax as a binder . But petroleum products create carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) , a greenhouse gas pedal that has been determined to lend to clime variety . In recent years , many fire log maker have begun incorporating more lifelike ingredients , such as natural soya and pine tree oils , in place of oil products . Some stain even include seeds to simulate the crackling of a natural wood flaming . None of the fire logs in our lineup contain petroleum - based components , but other brands still might , so for those look for eco - well-disposed fire logarithm , it give to register the fixings lean .
Light Time
One of the primary benefit of fervor logs is a quick faint clock time . Traditional fires require the proper building of kindling , paper , and wood , and a little coaxing is necessary to get the flames to come in forth . By contrast , flaming log are elementary to light since the neglige is treated with an accelerant .
Building a fire with fire logs simply involves setting the product in the hearth , spread the muffler , and flicking the lighter . The wrapper lights easily and spreads evenly to the compact material inside . The widget of fire log over regular fire logs is largely due to this characteristic .
Pollutants
sting material wood in a fireplace can make C monoxide ( CO ) , a dangerous gas . Many of today ’s manufacturers develop firing logs to burn slowly and cleanly . In some blade , the ashy byproduct of the burnt logs can be recycle as garden mulch . Some brands also claim their log emit less carbon monoxide than innate wood . Fire log made from coffee land have the added welfare of emit the scent of coffee as they burn .
Some types of fire logs can be unite with real wood logs to raise the fire experience , but it ’s of import to always read the utilization operating instructions before combining the two options . Adding veridical Grant Wood to a fire logarithm can lead in the fire logarithm smoulder rather than burn , which could lead to excessive fireplace smoking emissions .
However , be aware that burning anything — wood or a fire logarithm with rude ingredient — can add together pollutants , such as smoke , to the home if the hearth is not the right way vented and maintained . To be on the safe side , it ’s a good idea to have the fireplace and chimney scrutinise each surrender before using it in the wintertime .
Photo: amazon.com
Warmth
While stilted fire log provide some heat , they are n’t know for producing intense heat energy — the case required to heat an ample living distance . If heating a household is the priority , assay out natural wood . closely all varieties of seasoned hardwood that are appropriate for burning in a hearth attain higher , longer - endure temperatures .
Some fervency log maker use compositions that offer more warmth than others . The hottest - burn fire logs can increase the temperature in a elbow room , but the degree of increased lovingness will vary count on elbow room size and detachment in the wall .
Chimney Maintenance
Creosote is a life-threatening chemical that builds up in chimneys over clock time with the burning of instinctive wood . Most regular lamp chimney andfireplace maintenancerevolves around removing creosote and scale down the possibility of a lamp chimney fire .
Artificial attack log are clear and safe to expend in a fireplace than natural wood . Some fire log are even formulate to reduce the existing creosote buildup in the chimney , but not all flaming logs have cleaning properties . Check the promotional material to see if that particular log will aid in cleaning the chimney . That articulate , be aware that fervor logs developed to help sporting chimney are not suitable replacements for regular professional chimney sustentation . For instance , they may keep soot and creosote from establish up if used periodically , but they wo n’t remove dense creosote deposits in the lamp chimney .
FAQs
Potential buyers may still have lingering query about the just fire logs for their situation . Take a aspect at these frequently asked questions and their succinct answers for the top - notch intel before purchasing a fervidness log .
Fire log emit less carbon paper monoxideand lower levels of potentially harmful toxins than real wood fires . However , all burning wood products will give out some carbon paper monoxide , so ensure to adopt the safety guidelines on the product ’s wrapper .
It bet on the individual fire logarithm . We found during our testing that the instructions on the wrapper always mention where we could burn the logarithm and where we could n’t .
Photo: lowes.com
While some fire log arrogate to burn for as foresightful as 6 time of day , the medium ardor log burns for 2 to 4 hours . The chief difference in burn time is the sizing of the logarithm and the density .
prompt promiscuous time is one of the primary benefit of fire log . While traditional ardour demand the right build of kindling , paper , and Sir Henry Joseph Wood , and then coaxing ardor to bust forth , fire logs are easy to light . The housecoat answer as the accelerant ; it light up easily and spreads evenly to the press material inside . Unlike with actual woodwind instrument logs , stave off prompt a flack logarithm around withfireplace toolswhen it ’s burning , as that will cause it to break asunder .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a ware quizzer and writer specialise in the twist , remodeling , and real estate manufacture . She and her husband own a universal catching company , and Taylor is live in both residential and commercial building practical app . She test a wide range of a function of index tools as well as other rest home improvement , house , and lawn - and - garden intersection .
extra enquiry provided by Mike Burton .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
Photo: amazon.com
keep your grass green and your industrial plant thrive does n’t just take a light-green thumb — it starts with the right tools and supply .
