Is it possible to make logs made out of newspapers and use them to heat your house?

Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is there a tip or technique used to make them burn better? What do you hold the newspapers together with after rolling them? Can you use a current paper or should you wait for the papers to dry for a while?How tight/loose should the rolls be?

Answer 1

Here are two good sources to answer all your questions.

http://www.ehow.com/how_1746_make-paper-fireplace.html

http://www.thegreenhead.com/2006/11/newspaper-log-roller-creates-starter-logs.php

Answer 2

The key is to roll the newspapers as tight as you can. You are trying to simulate a wooden log. The tighter the roll of the newspaper, the slower the burn.

No matter the age of the newspaper, it's already dry (day or week old newspaper no matter).

Try tieing them together with wire so the paper and not the tie will burn.

Answer 3

When I was a kid we used to use newspapers to supplement firewood in the fireplace.

Take a regular tuna fish can and cut out both the top and bottom so it forms a ring.
Role the newspaper as tight as possible and slip the tuna can ring over to hold the paper tight (it should barely fit over. We always did one can in the center, but I suppose you could use a can about a quarter of the way from each end)
Soak the newspaper in water and let it dry thoroughly. Use the roll as fire wood. When the newspaper is completely consumed-reuse the tuna ring

Answer 4

Newspaper logs of course aren’t as dense as firewood. They don’t produce embers like real wood, and therefore they don’t burn as long, but they’re still a viable source of heat. When burned with real wood logs, newspaper logs are very functional. They help real firewood begin to burn while providing heat and beauty at the same time. Making newspaper logs is a great way to use old newspapers that might otherwise be thrown away.

Rolling

Making a newspaper log is really very easy. Stack two or three sections of folded newspapers, and begin rolling the log diagonally from a corner. Roll it tightly and firmly all the way across.

When you reach the opposite corner, make a horizontal slit across the log with a utility knife, and securely tuck the corner in. If you have trouble keeping the log together, tie it securely using the following method.

Tying

After making newspaper logs, tying them with twine might seem like the perfect solution for holding them together, but twine burns at almost the same rate as paper. If the log unrolls while burning, the paper will turn to ash much faster.

Use narrow wire to hold newspaper logs together. Although you’ll need to remove wires from your fireplace along with ashes, it’s a surefire way to keep the paper from unrolling while burning. Wind the ends of twist-ties together, or buy a spool of narrow gauge wire.

Wet Paper Method

If you have problems keeping the newspaper rolled, wet the papers before rolling them. Simply use a spray bottle to wet them down. They’ll be much more likely to stay rolled, and they’ll hold their shape once dry. Allow the logs to dry completely before attempting to burn them.

Display Ideas
Create an attractive display by lining a large basket with pine boughs and newspaper logs. If the basket has a handle, top it with a large bow made from paper twist, or wrap a paper twist bow around the perimeter. Toss in a few pinecones to create an attractive display

Answer 5

hardtimes above is correct. They make a roller tool for this purpose. I assume it roll them tightly so the paper burn like wood, being that it made from wood, it just needs repacked.

Answer 6

call the newspaper first and examine to work out what dangerous textile, if any, they use for the duration of the printing of the newspaper. Ink, sealer, and so on. OSHA demands that they positioned up and checklist those factors and this is available by using the newspaper. probability is there's a textile that's dangerous or the burning would be incredibly greater risky to our surroundings than the burning of organic wood. The smoke can be undesirable to respire. there is advice available, in case you pursue it. good success! right that's an occasion of one state's rules with regards to advised dealing with of companion and young infants waste. DNR is the state's branch of organic supplies: What can persons do somewhat of burning companion and young infants and backyard wastes? somewhat of burning, the DNR recommends which you: • decrease utilization--purchase in bulk or better parts and demand much less packaging on the products you purchase. • Reuse products--discover somebody else who can use it, have a backyard sale, or donate it to a resale corporation. • Recycle newspaper, place of work paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, magazines, aluminum, steel and proper plastics. • Compost leaves and plant clippings. seek for suggestion from DNR district or section team, college of Wisconsin- Extension and your community government to be certain in spite of if community ordinances enable you to compost uncooked vegetables, bread, egg shells and occasional grounds. • Chip brush and sparkling wood to make mulch or ornamental chips, or use it as heating gas in wood stoves or boilers. • remove allowable waste textile at an authorized landfill. for greater advice approximately what products would be disposed of at authorized landfills, touch the Recycling software at your DNR district or section place of work.

Answer 7

Mother Earth News probebly tells how to do it, but if my memory serves me right, the ink in newspapers is not good for you, but then again, neither is wood smoke.

Answer 8

YES

You can kits to do this that are basically a brick shaped mould that you put ripped up, wet, newspaper in, compress it, and let it dry.

Not sure how efficient they are though as I've never used them myself.

Answer 9

it works you can get a roller for the newspapers, and they got to be tight, check with home depot for the roller

Answer 10

won't burn as long as real wood would and too much smoke.
chin