This one has to be easy because the natural product is always better, right? Sorry, not in this case. In a contest between an artificial looking, paper-wrapped blob versus an organic, rough hewn log, the blob wins.
According to a 2006 study by the EPA, burning today’s artificial logs creates 75% less carbon monoxide emissions and 80% less particulate matter in the smoke than real wood. The study found fewer chemicals were emitted as well. And, to top that, artificial logs output more heat because they burn more slowly. Who knew?
Log News. This wasn’t true a few years back when most artificial logs were bound together with petroleum products. But now the large commercial brands have switched to vegetable paraffin — check the label to be sure.
Because these products are now carbon based, and would decay in the natural environment, they are also CO2 neutral. Even Duraflame, the largest manufacturer of artificial logs, went green, using waste like nutshells and food production leftovers for their logs rather than adding to landfills.
New techniques result in highly efficient, cleaner, long-lasting fires. For example, an average six-pound artificial log lasts about 3H hours, equivalent to burning 30 pounds of firewood. That’s without any need to stoke the fire or to haul heavy logs!
For an even greener log, check out Java-Logs, made from recycled coffee grounds from coffee shops and companies that make instant coffee. Java-Logs are bound together with vegetable wax, and their heat output is 25% higher than wood-based artificial logs. Plus there’s 20 million pounds less coffee byproducts in landfills.
Special Notes. Most artificial logs are designed for open hearth burning, so wood stoves and fireplace inserts require logs made from compressed sawdust (no wax). Also, when using artificial logs, don’t stack them as you would with wood logs — burn one at a time — and don’t add them to wood fires. And, of course, read the directions. -CL-
Matt Lillard, owner of Green Savers, LLC and a sustainability consultant in Chester County, is a member of the Strategic Sustainability Consulting network. Info@YourGreenSavers.com.