How to Soak Newspaper For Fireplace Logs
Newspaper can be rolled, soaked and turned into fireplace logs that produce flames of different colors. The resulting color depends on the chemical you use during the soaking process. Soaked newspaper fireplace logs are just as effective as real logs, and can be made ahead of time for emergencies or when a little holiday color is desired for your fireplace.
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Particle mask
- Newspaper
- Twine
- Bucket
- Borax
- Table salt (optional)
- Epsom salt (optional)
- Pillowcase
- Paper sack
Instructions
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1
Unfold the newspaper, separate the pages and create stacks about 1 inch in height. Roll the newspaper into a loose log shape and secure the ends with heavy twine. Do not tie too tightly or the newspaper will not burn properly, but tie tightly enough to hold the logs together.
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Fill a large bucket with one gallon of water and add one pound of borax, table salt or Epsom salts. Use borax to make green flames, table salt for yellow flames or Epsom salts to produce white flames when the newspaper logs are burned.
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3
Place one or two newspaper logs into an empty pillowcase. Place the pillowcase in the bucket of water and let stand for two to three hours. Ensure the logs are completely submerged in the solution for optimal effect.
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4
Spread out additional newspaper and remove the logs from the pillowcase. Set the soaked logs onto the newspaper and allow to dry completely, about two to three days. Transfer the logs into paper sacks for storage after they have dried.
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Add the newspaper logs to your fireplace and watch as the flames change color. Soak several different logs in different chemical solutions and add to the fire at the same time for multicolored flames.
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Tips & Warnings
Other chemicals can be used to create even more colors. Use bleaching powder for orange flames, strontium chloride for red flames, boric acid for neon green flames or potassium chloride for purple flames.
This method also can be used to soak small logs of wood to influence the color, although it works better using newspaper because wood doesn't absorb the solution as readily.
Do not mix borax, salt or Epsom salt together, as a dangerous chemical reaction can occur. Choose and add only one chemical to the water.
Always wear gloves and a particle mask when dealing with these chemicals to prevent accidental injury. Keep the chemical solutions away from children and pets.
