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These two fire logs Enviro-Log and Java Log, have a lot in common. Both are made from waste materials: coffee grounds in one case; waxed cardboard, like milk cartons, in the other. Both advertise more heat per unit weight and lower emissions than regular wood. Java-Log asserts carbon neutrality, because its waxy binder comes from plant sources I don't know the provenance of the wax in Enviro-Log. Both advertise a 3hr burn time for the 5lb log.
They're alike in how they burn, too, whether that's a good thing or not. I had a chance to test both. I burned them, one at a time, in an outdoor firepit a steep-sided ceramic bowl about 80cm across and 30 deep. Both times, I burned the log during daylight on a metal grate with plenty of air circulation underneath, and lit them according to the manufacturers' directions. For the Java-Log, that meant leaving the paper wrapper on and lighting the wrapper in three places. I found this somewhat less than satisfactory, since only one end of the log lit. Following the manufacturer's directions, I didn't poke at it until the whole length of it was lit, which took about a half hour. Even then, the surface didn't burn evenly until, against recommendation, I turned it over, grooved side down. That seemed to burn a bit better. I never got very big flames, but I'm sure it would have been more impressive at night. Burning had a slight waxy smell. That's a big point for me, compared to the aroma of woodsmoke, because my wife's asthma worked a lot better with the Java-Log's emissions than with regular smoke. (I missed the woodsy aroma, but you can't have everything.) It burned pretty much the advertised time, but went through phases of more and less smoke as it burned. It burned cleanly and completely, unlike wood which always leaves charred ends, leaving only a cup or two of uniform, sandy ash. I assume the ash comes only from the coffee grounds, so it should be compost-compatible.
The Enviro-Log was remarkably similar, in my test. Directions say to unwrap the log, wad the wrapping under the log, and use the wrapping as kindling. As with the Java-Log, this was less than satisfactory. It lit, but rolled off the wad once burning weakened it, so I had to move the log back onto the burning wrapper. As with the Java-Log, the manufacturer's procedure lit only one end of the log. It also took about a half hour and a little turning for it to catch completely. It burned much the way the Java-log did, but with a slightly more pronounced waxy smell and with a little papery ash flying away (but caught by the firepit's screen). The Enviro-Log had smoky phases as did the Java-Log, but a bit smokier. It also burned down cleanly, but the pile of papery ash at the end was a good bit bigger than the Java-Log's residue. Since it's just paper ash it should be as garden-friendly as wood ash, but I wouldn't swear to either log's ash suiting an organic farmer.
I found the two pretty much equivalent in this test. The waxy smell meant I wouldn't use either for cooking, and they don't produce coals the way wood fires do. Only one thing (which I didn't test) left me leaning toward the Enviro-Log. The Java-Log's instructions are quite insistent about burning only one at a time, not burning other wood or fuel with it, and leaving it alone while it burns. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the waxy binder could soften if the log overheated, possibly causing it to crumble or flare up. Likewise, the "leave it alone" order could be due to softening with heat, so that poking at it would break it up rather than turning it. The Enviro-Log advertises that you can burn one with other fuel (e.g., regular wood) in the fire, burn two together, or add additional fuel before the first log burns out. That flexibility is a real selling point, especially if you plan to keep the fire going past one log's lifetime.
In summary: they're both attractive because of my wife's sensitivity to wood smoke, and both use materials that would otherwise have gone to landfill. When burned one at a time, they behave quite comparably not a big showy fire, more than enough to cast a bit of warmth. The Enviro-Log seems more versatile, though, and doesn't prohibit many of the things I normally do with regular wooden logs.
-wiredweird
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These logs are ok but do not heat as well as Duraflame or Presto Logs. They are a little bit cheaper to buy but you have to really burn 2 or more logs to generate adequate heat. This product also creates LOTS of ash. They do light easily and are an ideal log for nights that are not too cold.
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I was so thrown by the bad reviews here, that I had to double check that I am reviewing the same product! I am quite happy with these. After burning six logs, I find them quick to light, odorless, long lasting, and nicely heat-producing. On top of all that, the logs are 100% recycled cardboard boxes. For me, the only way they could be improved is if they were cheaper and they made a crackling sound.
This is definitely worth a try, especially if you are environmentally conscious.
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For starters, they are safer than burning traditional wood, which is a great start. If you have a fire in your fireplace all the time, these probably are not the best bang for your buck, but if you are like us and only have a fire in the fireplace from time to time (once or twice a week on Winter nights), these are perfect.
These things are terribly easy to use. You tear off the wrapper and throw them in the fireplace, using the wrapper as kindling, and they light right up. You could even just light the log itself if you want, for a slower start.
I recommend using two logs at a time to get a full-sized fire. These will last for 3-4 hours, and as they crumble apart the flames get larger (similar to when you stoke a natural wood fire). At times, the flames were huge from the two logs at other times, they were fairly subdued but in my experience this isn't much different than regular wood fires. These do leave more ashes behind than a Duraflame, but obviously much better for the environment and your health/safety.
The only negatives I can think of are price (more expensive than bulk purchased wood) and appearance. They have a waxier look than a duraflame, so for someone who really cares about the look of wood in a fire, it could be a drawback otherwise it's a great use of recycling.
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The box shows a log in full flame. You will not get this unless you start pulling it apart.
The paper wrapper does not catch fire very easily, thus is hard to create critical heat to get the log going. You will get either side of the log fitfully burning. It will continue to slow burn unless you help it along by pulling it apart... which defeats the long burning aspect.
I have actually had one of these logs go OUT and I had to get it going again. It also generates a lot of ash.
Nice idea, but it's not there yet.
