The Best Artificial Logs for Wood Burning Stoves that You Can Buy in 2021

Let’s face it, as aesthetically inviting to interior décor and comforting to the soul as a roaring fire can be, without the consistent warmth and crackle of a fire on a chilly spring evening, your wood burners won’t meet their purpose.

Moreover, today, more than ever before, consumers are focused on making their home more energy efficient. Now, there are many ways to do this. From installing loft insulation to using smart meters to track your energy usage, washing clothes at a lower temperature, even routinely defrosting your freezer. These little changes can make all the difference – and so too can using artificial logs in your wood burner for a consistent burn.

But here’s the question: which are the best artificial logs to optimise the energy efficiency of your wood burner? Well, we have the answer for you. However, before we dive in to what we consider to be the best artificial logs to use in your wood burner, let’s examine that attributes that every artificial log should have.

The Attributes to Look For

Okay, so it’s important to remember that not all artificial fire logs are the same. Some are made from recycled ground coffee, others from petroleum wax or sawdust. Nutshells and seeds artificial logs are popular, even newspaper.

Of course, they’ll have differing lighting burn times depending on what they’re made from. Then there’s pollutants, with some materials emitting slightly more than others. However, all feature a burn heat that’s strong and consistent, making them ideal for your wood burning stove. But which one is the right option for you?

Interested in learning the attributes of each to help you decide which artificial logs to choose? Here’s what you need to know before choosing artificial logs.

Burn Time

Most fire logs burn for two to four hours. Some manufacturers offer long-lasting logs with a burn time approaching six hours. Burn time length depends on the log material.

The most prominent materials have traditionally been sawdust mixed with petroleum wax. However, more recently, log manufacturers have a greater demand for recycled biomass materials, such as organic farm waste, coffee grounds and natural oils. Nutshells and seeds – which simulate the crackling of a natural fire – have also become commonplace.

Most manufacturers will list an approximate burn time on their packaging. However, it’s important to remember that burning multiple logs at the same time will not increase burn time. However, this will increase the chances of chimney or flue damage.

Pollutants

It’s common knowledge that sawdust and petroleum wax fire logs of the 1960s didn’t have a clean burn. However, more recently organic farm waste and coffee grounds, nuts shells, have replaced petroleum products.

Nowadays, manufacturers develop fire logs to burn slowly and cleanly. Newer fire logs have reduced carbon emissions – some by as much as 80% compared to natural wood. Fire logs made from coffee grounds have, not only a clean burn, but a rich aroma – and emit 50-70% less carbon monoxide.

Light Time

Traditional fires need kindling, paper, and wood to light. They need time to light, emitting heat is hardly instantaneous. Fire logs don’t have the same problem. Their wrapper is an accelerant so flames will engulf the wood quicker.

Choose to build a traditional fire and you can expect a slower light time. Without a wrapper accelerant, it can take a long time for kindling, paper, and wood to burn at a consistent, warm heat to provide ample heat in your environment. Fire logs do not have the same problem, which makes then more attractive to owners of wood burning stoves.

Warmth and Ambiance

Whereas artificial logs are not necessarily known for their intensity or long periods of warmth, they do provide enough heat to get a roaring fire going. If your priority is to heat the whole household for long periods of time, natural wood is your best option.

Some brands use composites of different materials to maximise heat and burn time. In fact, so warm are some artificial wood logs that they can increase the room temperature by a whopping forty-five degrees! However, this obviously depends on the size of the room and any insulation.

The Best Artificial Wood Logs to Use

So, what are the best artificial wood logs to choose? Well, it obviously depends on individual preference, however, there are a few products that stand out from the rest which we’ve listed below.

Duraflame 4577 Ultra-Premium Firelogs

If you want to get your fire crackling quickly and with ease, there is one artificial wood that stands head and shoulders above the competition: Duraflame 4577 Ultra-Premium Firelogs.

Featuring a high-performance mixture of biomass fibre and waxes, these logs have a healthy burning time of as much as four hours. Logs light faster than traditional kindling and should fully catch fire in as little as five minutes.

Sold in a pack of twelve, Duraflame 4577 Ultra-Premium logs produce large, bright flames and have a total burn time of up to 36 hours.

Pine Mountain Traditional 4-Hour Logs

Like Duraflame, Pine Mountain’s logs have a similar burn time of four hours. Made from recycled hardwood, molasses, shells and nuts, Pine Mountain’s logs produce 80% less emissions than traditional wood burning.

Pine Mountain logs have a nice, consistent burn, emit 75% less particulate matter – and are sold with a wrapping accelerant for quick and easy fire ignition.

Sold in packs of six, these logs feature quick lighting, a time release burn and bold flame. They produce 80% less carbon monoxide and 75% less particulate matter.

Pine Mountain Chimney Cleaning Safety Fire Log

As anyone with a wood burner or open fire hearth will tell you, creosote build-up can be a problem. This is formed when flue gases solidify in the chimney cavity and cost homeowners a fortune to clean.

However, there is a solution to this pesky problem. Pine Mountain Chimney Cleaning Safety logs are designed to remove and stop the build-up of creosote. Each log features a specifically formulated powder which dissolves into a gas when under combustion. This gas then breaks down creosote compounds, significantly reducing the risk of a chimney fire.

Not only that, this Pine Mountain log burns with 80% less emissions than cord wood whilst still promoting the ambiance of a traditional or artificial log fire.

The Best Artificial Logs for Wood Burning Stoves

If you want to thoroughly enjoy your wood burning stove, whilst maximising heat output and getting great value for money, choosing the right artificial logs is paramount.

Duraflame may take the crown for its renowned qualities, but either of the Pine Mountain logs are equally as good at creating the much-valued ambiance, making your home feel warm and cosy whatever the weather outside.

Interested in learning more about artificial logs? Get in touch with us today or call 0333 300 1299 to find out more.