This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you Show Baby it’s cold outside and who doesn’t love a cozy, warm fire?! I do! My kids do! Even my kitties do!! But you know the not so fun part of a fire? Getting it started and keeping it going! One way to make this easier is with fire logs. They make it easy to get a blazing fire up and running fast and easy to keep it going while you relax and enjoy your book or hot cocoa or glass of wine! I decided to grab one to use over the holidays while having guests over. I figured it would keep us from having to constantly tend the fire and allow us to enjoy instead. Something about them didn’t sit well with me though. For some reason, maybe ’cause they are manufactured and not natural, I was under the impression that they were really bad for the environment and my family – in other words full of toxins. This led me to – you guessed it – research! Are firelogs safe? What Are Fire Logs Made Of?Since my assumption was that they were made of scary things like plastics and nasty chemicals, I was surprised to learn that fire logs are made from compressed sawdust, vegetable and plant wax, and other recycled ingredients, such as ground nutshells or coffee grounds. The sawdust and other recycled ingredients work together with the wax kind of like a candle. The sawdust particles act like a wick, and the wax acts as the fuel. Fire logs basically fuel themselves which means you don’t have to! You just sit back, relax and enjoy! Are the Fumes Harmful?There is no burning plastic in fire logs but are there other harmful things in the fumes given off? A study in 2006 took a look at several popular fire log brands and compared their emissions of the following pollutants:
The study only tested the quantity of each of the above in a variety of different fire log brands (and wood) but didn’t dive into the harmfulness of any of them. Other sites state that frequently burning fire logs (and even wood) can pose some health concerns. The carbon monoxide emitted can cause symptoms including headaches, dizziness or nasuea. The other pollutants emmitted while burning can cause upper respiratory irritation or the worsening of symptoms from pre-existing upper respiratory issues like asthma. It’s also important to mention that some fire logs aren’t made for cooking food. The Duraflame site states that, “…they only burn with flames and do not generate adequate coals for cooking.” However, Enviro-Log Firelogs ARE safe to cook over which make these environmentally-friendly firelogs great for camping or other outdoor cooking. So are firelogs harmful to burn? My take away – fire logs are not harmful to burn, they release fewer toxins than firewood and fire log brands vary in how eco-friendly they are. How Do Fire Logs Compare To Burning Wood?From the fumes/emissions perspective, the study above found that the levels of each of the items tested for were highest for wood and that all of the fire logs tested were lower. This was a total surprise to me! I don’t know why but I just assumed that wood – maybe ’cause it’s natural – would emit far fewer pollutants. I guess you learn something new everyday! In terms of the impact on trees, the Duraflame website states that, “A duraflame firelog consumes 80% less material than a comparable duration wood fire, and burning firelogs instead of wood results in significantly fewer trees cut down for use as firewood.” Again, something I didn’t even think about it! It just didn’t occur to me! So glad I’m writing this post – I’m learning a lot! 🙂 Lastly, in turns out that many fire logs are also manufactured with sustainability in mind. The Duraflame website states that is uses recycled wood and fibers and other renewable materials. And the Enviro Log website states that is uses 100% recycled wax cardboard to make it’s fire logs. Fire Log Brands To TryThere are quite a few fire log brands on the market so I wanted to give you a few to choose from so that when you’re staring at them all in the store (or shopping online!) you’ll know what to buy!  Time to Fire It Up!I don’t know about you but I’m feeling really good about using fire logs now! I feel confident that they are not spewing out toxic fumes that are going to harm my family or the planet. I also feel good knowing that, in many cases, fire logs are manufactured in an environmentally friendly way! Let me know if you decide to give fire logs a try! Here’s to a cozy, safe fire tonight! Best, Pam P.S. – For more tips on reducing toxins in your home be sure to click on Toxin-Free Living in the side bar! Are Duraflame logs toxic to humans?Are duraflame firelogs and firestarters dangerous to pets or small children? Store firelogs and firestarters out of reach of pets and small children. They are not suitable for human or animal consumption. For safety purposes, it's always best to keep pets and small children away from the fireplace while it is in use.
Does Duraflame give off carbon monoxide?Compared to a similar duration wood fire, a duraflame firelog emits: 80% less fine particles. 75% less carbon monoxide. 90% less hazardous air pollutants.
Can you use Duraflame logs indoors?DURAFLAME® 6LB 100% RENEWABLE FIRELOGS
These 100% renewable firelogs are great for any indoor or outdoor fire.
Are Duraflame logs healthy?'Tis the season to be burning synthetic fire logs, but a new study from UNC's Gillings School of Global Public Health reports that using these prepackaged fireplace staples also could increase the chances of developing breast cancer.
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Are Duraflame logs safe to breathe
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