Duraflame Logs - Pros & Cons

[Quixote]

I just moved into a new house which has a fireplace. I decided for the my
first real fire I would simply purchase a Duraflame log. It was simple to
light up and the fire lasted about 2.5 hours. Now my question - what are
some of the pros and cons of using these type of "logs"?

--
Regards,
Quixote
________________________________

[John Galbreath Jr.]

Many prefab fireplace manufacturers do not allow this type of log to be
burned in their fireplace. Their concerns are: (1) The waxes that hold
the logs together could run into the bottom (low heat area) of the
fireplace and ignite, possibly causing a house fire. (2) If they are
touched during burning, they turn into sawdust, creating a LOT more heat
than the fireplace was designed to take. (3) that someone will use more
than one log. I recommend using them only in 3" sections to start a
real log fire.
--
John Galbreath Jr.
http://www.FireLogs.com
mailto:Jo...@FireLogs.com

[Dan Croteau]

Hi,
The Duraflame type logs are softer and have more chemicals than
hardwoods. This tends to create a lot of creosote, hence more
cleaning.
OTOH, they ARE easier to light, so if you don't use your fireplace
much...

-Dan

[Tlasby]

I wouldn't worry about all that crap about leaving more creasote in the
flue. If you have your chimney inspected annually you can burn everything
but the cabinets. I use the duraflame logs to light green wood when I have
nothing else to burn. My problem with them, by themselves, is that they are
silent--no snap crackle or pop! The key is to realize what you have burned
and have the chimney swept.
Quixote wrote in message <71j6gv$c...@sjx-ixn6.ix.netcom.com>...

[Ron Natalie]

Tlasby wrote:
>
> I wouldn't worry about all that crap about leaving more creasote in the
> flue. If you have your chimney inspected annually you can burn everything
> but the cabinets. I use the duraflame logs to light green wood when I have
> nothing else to burn. My problem with them, by themselves, is that they are
> silent--no snap crackle or pop! The key is to realize what you have burned
> and have the chimney swept.

Have the chimney swept, that will ellimenate most of your risk.

However, do not burn "ANYTHING" in the stove/fireplace. Burning
large quantities of paper is just asking for trouble. The two
most popular times for chimney fires in our rural fire department
were the first heating days of the year (got to get a real nice
big fire going) and right after christmas (got to get rid of
all that gift wrap).

[John Galbreath Jr.]

Very true. Also many chimney fires are started by burning the Christmas
tree itself. Don't do it.