We evaluated a variety of logs based on longevity, ease of use, where and how you can use them, their scent, and their sound. We also researched what’s exactly inside them, paying close attention to the materials used, possible pollutants, and environmental impact. Our top pick is the Duraflame Outdoor Firelog, one of the more versatile, environmentally friendly fire logs on the market that is also approved for roasting food such as marshmallows and hot dogs. Here are the top choices for fire logs to keep the home fires burning this winter. Unlike the logs of 50 years ago, modern Duraflames use bio-based wax as a binder, which is better for the environment. In 2007, Duraflame also discontinued using traditional petroleum-based waxes, which can have a strong odor that some may find unpleasant. Most logs are designed to be one-and-dones. But the Duraflame Outdoor Firelogs are designed to be stacked in the shape of an “x” before they’re lit, which can help make your fire look more like a traditional wood fire. The logs are designed to burn a maximum of three hours, with the option to keep adding more. This is why the product is sold in packs of three (9.6 pounds) or six (about 19 pounds). The Duraflame Company is transparent about what exactly is in its logs: “mostly oak with some maple and/or hickory. The agricultural fibers are ground walnut and almond shells.” We love the all-natural components, which also contribute to the “crackle” sound the logs produce when they burn. Price at time of publish: $15 We buy into Goodwood’s claim of being more environment-friendly than many wax-based logs. First, Goodwood sources its wood from surplus lumber mill shavings and compresses the wood to make a dense log that uses no binders such as wax. The plant-based jute bag is a more sustainable choice than the colored wrappers that wax logs are packaged in. We also like that the small company is big on using local resources, and employs developmentally disabled adults to work in its warehouse, near Watsonville, California, between Big Sur and San Francisco along the Pacific coast. In fact, the company donates a portion of its proceeds to reforestation efforts. Goodwood Firebags are also showing up as an amenity in environmentally-conscious hotels in the region. Price at time of publish: $43 Hence, the label on the Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar Scented Firelog says to “enjoy fragrance before burning.” The pleasant forest aroma of the Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar is one of the candle company’s signature scents. The log is made by Pine Mountain, which makes a number of popular and reliable fire logs. If forest fragrance isn’t your thing, you can always try Pine Mountain’s Dark Roasted Coffee or Citronella scented logs. Pine Mountain’s Java Logs aren’t scented, but because they are made with recycled coffee grounds, they do smell like coffee when burning. Price at time of publish: $24 The TimberTote isn’t a picturesque log that resembles bark-wrapped, fresh-cut firewood; in fact, It resembles a naked log with its bark whittled off, but this rope-handled log (hence “tote” in the name) is affordable. It also is easy to procure, as you can buy it at a variety of convenience stores (where you might also be able to find s’mores materials to go with your campfire). The log is made of kiln-dried wood, which has been baked in a hot oven to remove excess moisture, making it easier to burn. But some may find the lighting part tricky. First, you must stand it vertically instead of horizontally, and position it so the side vent hole faces away from the wind. Then, you have to light the firestarter stick that’s included and then drop the flaming stick into a pre-drilled hole in the top of the Timber Tote log. When lit, the upright log looks more like a Fourth of July firecracker than a traditional campfire. But its ability to roast food and estimated 2- to 2.5-hour burn times make the Timber Tote ideal for those who want a quick, short-burning fire before retiring under the stars. Price at time of publish: $18 The Light n’ Go is so named because it includes a built-in firestarter that’s housed in pre-made slits, cut horizontally across the top of the log. You just need to light the firestarter, and flames should quickly burn, from end to end, in a few minutes. You can burn the log indoors or outdoors, and it’s safe for roasting food such as marshmallows. The caveat is that it may be difficult to find one to buy. Although the New Jersey-based company sells logs through chains like Walmart and Home Depot, they are often listed as out of stock. The manufacturer advises calling stores in advance to see if they have the logs. EcoForest also makes a similar but smaller log called the Light n’ Go Go Log, made of birch or alder wood. Price at time of publish: $12 The Crackleflame is designed to burn for three hours, but outdoor weather conditions, such as wind, can speed up the burn time. If your outdoor fire burns more quickly than you want, Duraflame recommends adding another Crackleflame. However, this log is not recommended for roasting food. Price at time of publish: $19 Although the log’s ingredients are proprietary, Dimmitt says they are similar to the chemicals that professional chimney sweeps use to remove creosote. After you use the log, you still should have a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect your chimney, Dimmitt recommends. The manufacturer notes that even though the log burns in a few hours, creosote ash can continue to fall for more than a week. But you can still use your fireplace as usual. Price at time of publish: $18 The Pres-to-Log was created in 1933 as a dense log made of sawmill leftovers, compressed into a cheap, durable source of heat. One Pres-to-Log can burn for three hours and generates so much heat that the company recommends starting with only one or two so you don’t overheat your space. You can use the log in a variety of settings, such as wood-burning fireplaces and outdoor fire pits. But there’s no firestarter included, so it’s up to you to get the fire going. You can mix the Pres-to-Logs with real wood if you want to use tinder and kindling to start your fire. Price at time of publish: $6 Compressed logs typically are dried in kilns to remove excess moisture. Although they burn faster and hotter than real wood, you still need something to ignite them. So, a product that doesn’t include a firestarter or paper accelerant requires more prep work, as you have to build a fire and successfully light it so the log will ignite.
Materials
If an environmentally friendly product is a must-have, you should probably pass on logs made with petroleum-based waxes. Do you need a log that’s safe to roast a marshmallow over? Generally, compressed logs are the best options, because they’re made of pure wood. You and those around you could inhale whatever you burn, so you may want to pass if you can’t determine what a product is made of.
Duration
A fire shouldn’t be left unattended, so before you buy a log, think about how long you want it to last. Typically, logs have estimated burn times from one to four hours. As the estimated burn time increases, typically so does the price. Fire logs are engineered not to burn too quickly, which is one of the reasons manufacturers recommend not breaking them apart, says Russ Dimmitt, director of education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America, which trains and certifies professional chimney sweeps at its headquarters in Plainfield, Indiana. “If you break them apart, there’s more combustion material exposed to the air, and the log is going to burn a lot faster,” he says. Weather conditions can also help dictate how fast a log will burn outdoors.
Location
The directions on a log should tell you whether it can be used indoors, outdoors, or both. Most wax-based logs can’t be used in closed wood stoves, because they need more oxygen to burn. Some logs that are expected to generate high heat include warnings about where they should not be used, such as chimineas and small fire pits.
Smell
Chances are, if you find a log’s odor disagreeable, you’re not going to want it perfuming your personal space. So if you have the opportunity to smell a fire log before purchasing, give it a sniff. Logs that have fragrance added intentionally are likely designed to be enjoyed before burning. A properly working chimney should create a draft that vents all the smoke and smells up the passageway and outside your house, says Russ Dimmitt. If avoiding scents is a major consideration, consider compressed logs, which are made of pure wood and typically aren’t scented.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Laurie Mansfield Reiter, a journalist with years of experience in researching, testing, and recommending home and garden products. Laurie researched products from online retailers, grocery stores, farm equipment stores, and big-box stores. In preparation for this article, she also consulted with Russ Dimmitt, director of education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America, which trains and certifies professional chimney sweeps at its headquarters in Plainfield, Indiana. She also consulted the Environmental Protection Agency’s Burn Wise, a program that educates consumers about the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance. Many artificial fire logs are made of recycled or surplus wood shavings that are compressed and baked to draw out excess moisture. These dense logs typically burn more rapidly and more consistently, and they provide more warmth. Even wax-based logs tend to use recycled materials beyond wood, such as cardboard, coffee grounds, and agricultural products. Manufacturers that don’t cut down trees to make their logs typically inform consumers in their packaging or marketing materials. Some even donate proceeds from sales to help plant new trees.
