How to Create Recycled Paper Fireplace Logs

You can create recycled paper logs to burn in your fireplace.

Your fireplace can help heat your house when the weather is cold. You may purchase or split wood for the fireplace and stack it for use. If you have access to newspapers, you can create paper logs that will burn almost as long as similar-sized wooden logs. Using paper logs may make it easier to start your fire. It also provides a simple way to reuse the paper and cut your heating costs.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Small food cans

Instructions

1. Cut the top and bottom out of several single-serving vegetable or soup cans. The circumference of the cans should be between 6 and 9 inches. Rinse the cans thoroughly and dry well. There's no need to remove the paper labels from the cans.

2. Lay six sheets of newspaper out flat on a firm surface. Roll the paper very tightly into a roll, beginning at the bottom edge. Use single sheets, folded double sheets or a combination of the two.

   Do not use slick sheets like ad inserts. The sheets must be uniform in length and width without any coating on the paper.

3. Insert the bottom edge of the next six sheets into the roll when you are about 4 inches from the top of the first group of papers. This will allow you to form a continuous roll because each new group of papers will dovetail into the previous group.

4. Maintain strong tension on your roll so your log is tight. Adjust as needed to keep the pages in line so your log stays uniform in width. Unroll a section and reroll if the log shifts or becomes too loose.

5. Roll your log until it reaches the thickness of your can diameter. Turn the log up on the edge and slip the can over the end of the log. Slide the can to the center of the log. You can tie the log together with string if you like, but it is not necessary. The can will keep it tightly rolled while burning while string may not.

6. Tap the log against the floor on both ends before storing in your log bin to create a more uniform end. When you are ready to burn it, you may mix wood and paper logs. An 8-inch paper log will burn about an hour.

7. Use tongs to remove the can from your fireplace and let it cool in a safe place. If the can is intact, you can reuse it for another paper fire log.

Tips & Warnings

• Place single-page sheets inside double-page sheets to keep them neat and uniform when rolling.

• The paper will burn, but the can will often survive to be used a second, and sometimes a third burning, depending on the quality of the can. Using can openers that cut from the top of the can rather than from the side of the can will give you a more durable container for your log.

• Avoid slick pages. The coating will leave deposits in your chimney and fireplace walls. The fumes may also be smelly and toxic.

• Avoid odd-sized pages like ad sheets as they will leave your log lumpy with air pockets.

References

• Wood Stoves: Make Your Own Logs
• Dollar Stretcher: Homemade Fireplace Logs