How to Use Fake Logs in a Fire Pit
Fake logs are promoted as being more environmentally friendly than real wood. The Washington Post reports that artificial logs emit all the same pollutants as real wood, but at much lower rates. When burned, they release one-quarter of the carbon monoxide of real logs and lower levels of chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. When fake fireplace logs were first produced from leftover pencil-factory cedar shavings in 1960, the compressed sawdust was mixed with a petroleum-derived wax. Today, fake logs can be made from unrecyclable waste items like waxed cardboard fruit boxes and coffee grounds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove the fire screen if your fire pit has one.
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Check for wind direction and strength. Strong winds can quickly turn a small fire into an inferno. If it is windy, wait for a calm day to avoid blowing sparks.
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Prepare the kindling. Ball up newspaper and place it in a small pile near the center of the pit. Fake logs tend to ignite with little effort--the wrapper itself can sometimes be used for kindling--so you may only need two or three balls of newspaper.
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Construct the fire around a "core of heat." Place two logs parallel to each other on either side of the kindling, and lay two more logs on top of these at right angles to the first logs. This will create a heat pocket in the center of the fire pit that will continue to produce heat as embers fall into it.
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Light the newspaper or the log wrappers with a long fireplace match or a lighter. The logs will catch fire shortly after the paper begins to burn.
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Replace the fire screen and enjoy your evening.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use an accelerant to light the fake logs in your fire pit.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fire image by Fotocie from Fotolia.com
