View Full Version : Crackle Logs
Just been out for a weekend with Maddave and as we were wild camping from the van I had a bag of charcoal for cooking, some kindling and a bag of logs for a fire.
As the evening wore on and the log pile shrunk, I recalled something I'd picked up in Asda "just in case".
It's something called a "Fire log" and basically it's a compressed sawdust brick held together with wax of some kind, wrapped in paper.
It seemed ideal for keeping the fire going for a bit longer so we set it on the embers of the fire and lit the paper, as per the instructions.
The instructions also say use just one log at a time and don't poke the fire which I was a bit dubious about, but for a first try I thought we'd give it a go.
It lit easily and produced reasonable heat and a lot of light, which lets face it, is what you want while sitting round a fire.
An hour later and it's still producing reasonable heat and a lot of light, this went on longer that either of us could actually believe.
We actually went to bed before it finally went out and in the morning there were just fine ashes to show for it.
Has anybody else used one of these things?
I'm thinking that for the type of wild camping I do from a vehicle, where there is often not much available fuel, a couple of these things at £1.48 a piece makes a lot more sense than buying a bag of logs from a garage (which are usually damp anyway.)
Green notes: I don't know what the wax is, but the sawdust is a recycled product and I guess the wax could be off set by decreased transportation costs compared to a bag of logs, but it certainly reduces my impact on the camp site compared to collecting wood.
Nice find Gary I`ll have to take a look at those
My dad has something similar out in Portugal which he uses on the log fire in winter.
Rich
Andy2112
04-09-2008, 09:01
Wayland,
i got one from Wilkinsons a while ago, not used it yet as i can't seem to find a dry evening when i get home from work to burn it, not much help really am i ?;)
Green notes: I don't know what the wax is, but the sawdust is a recycled product and I guess the wax could be off set by decreased transportation costs compared to a bag of logs, but it certainly reduces my impact on the camp site compared to collecting wood. the wax is made from Palm oil, which on the whole is ok, unless you take into account the land clearance needed to grow the palm nut production. Most of the "crackle logs" (tm) are made in the USA, but at the price you've quoted I doubt that the ones you had are, as the Duraflame ones are a bit more pricey.
I've never though of using them, worried about the clean up, but you seemed to have no residue so I might give them a bash.
the crackle noise comes from added Coriander seed which pop but don't spit
They are quite common in Oz.
A useful stand by if we forgot to get a load of wood delivered or if I had been lazy and forgot to bring split logs wood inside and I did not want to face the rain/cold.:o
But its not "wood". Useful though
Just bought a few more from Asda and they are called "Firelogs" now and made by BigK, the price is still the same.
Watch out though, Tesco are a lot more expensive.
It says on the paper wrapper that they are approved in smokeless areas and one nice thing we noticed was that we weren't being chased round the fire by the smoke, and I didn't notice any particular smell either.
the wax is made from Palm oil, which on the whole is ok, unless you take into account the land clearance needed to grow the palm nut production. Most of the "crackle logs" (tm) are made in the USA, but at the price you've quoted I doubt that the ones you had are, as the Duraflame ones are a bit more pricey.
I've never though of using them, worried about the clean up, but you seemed to have no residue so I might give them a bash.
the crackle noise comes from added Coriander seed which pop but don't spit
The company selling them, BigK are based in Norwich, hopefully they are made somewhere near there. :dunno:
They are quite common in Oz.
A useful stand by if we forgot to get a load of wood delivered or if I had been lazy and forgot to bring split logs wood inside and I did not want to face the rain/cold.:o
But its not "wood". Useful though
I know what you mean, nothing is quite like a good log fire, but for this application, they are compact to carry, reliable, no mess, no fuss and no half burnt log ends to deal with in the morning.
Some of the ash was still clumped together but a quick rake over in the morning and it all broke up for scattering.
On this occasion there was a fire ring that looked permanent so we cleaned it out of old barbecues and tin cans and were able to leave it to burn out over night.
By the time we left the site looked considerably better than when we arrived.
Normally I carry a fire tray in the van for cooking and sitting round and this can be packed up leaving no trace behind.
( I should say that I originally bought one after a chat with EdS, who said he had cut one into slices to use in a hobo stove, I haven't tried that yet but I'm certainly going to soon. )
we usually keep a few of the recycled wood dust/chip ones in for the house fire.
About £5 for 8 I recall. Burn for a fair while and give out lots of heat.
When I use my hobo, I like things to be done and dusted quickly (30 minutes max) so I like the fact that my wood burns hot and quickly. Something that can potentially burn for hours is not good news for a quick tea-break stop. So if you do chop up one, could you let us know what the burn times are and whether there is a mess in the hobo.
I’m coming to like the idea of these logs the more I think about them. few if any worry about using meths or gas, of panel wipe or colmans, I’m thinking it is just another fuel available for use/adaptation by the crafty bushy type
Edit to add
Bigk 'manufacturing plant' is in Norfolk,
IntrepidStu
04-09-2008, 09:57
I get mine from quality save stores for 99p and i think they are great.
Stu
( I should say that I originally bought one after a chat with EdS, who said he had cut one into slices to use in a hobo stove, I haven't tried that yet but I'm certainly going to soon. )
Ok if you are going to cook in a pot over them, but dont cook directly over the flame from one, the wrapper explains this, must be due to the chems involved.
Loz
Thanks Loz
I should have mentioned that.
stevesteve
04-09-2008, 12:30
I have been making my own (no chemicals envolved other than wood and parafin wax).
For firelighters, I do the following:
Collect old toilet roll tubes (if I can get them before the kids)
Cut them into 1/2" (12-15mm) sections.
Put candle stubs, tea lights etc into an old pan
Melt wax over a camping stove (CARE: MOTLEN WAX IS HOT AND FLAMMABLE)
Add coarse sawdust carefully until the liquid wax is all absorbed.
Spoon mixture into the short carboard cylinders
Allow to cool
The wax soaks into the cardboard, so to light it you can just peel a small shred and light that or just hold a fragment of charcloth on the waxy sawdust.
These can be lobbed into the bottom of a hobo stove to give it a boost if things are a little damper than you would hope. They burn for quite a while as much of the time the sawdust is just wicking the melting wax.
I would imagine that you could use a whole toilet roll tube and make a 'log' 1.25" by 5" (3.5cm by 12.5cm) which would burn for ages.
Cheers,
Steve
the ones I use do not have a wrapper - they are just compressed wood chips etc.
bushscout1
04-09-2008, 20:56
we usually keep a few of the recycled wood dust/chip ones in for the house fire.
About £5 for 8 I recall. Burn for a fair while and give out lots of heat.
Ed
I don't suppose you can recall the outlet you sourced yours - at that price they sound very handy for home & when on the trail?
Cheers
I know the sort of thing you're talking about EdS.
Last ones I saw were made by British Fuels Ltd.
Tripitaka
04-09-2008, 21:39
Just bought a couple of the Bryant & May ones from Wilkinsons today - about £1.50 each.
I'll take them up to Morchs do this weekend for a play.
Womble_Lancs
04-09-2008, 22:08
I've got one of those paper log maker thingies - you soak shredded newspaper in water, fill up the log maker and then compress it into briquettes. I've made about 10 briquettes so far, but I've not had the opportunity to try lighting any of them yet. Several people have told me that these log makers are rubbish. Anyone here got any experience of them?
hedgepig
04-09-2008, 22:28
Palm Oil is NOT Green
When in Borneo a few years ago, I was in a Palm Oil plantation. Hideous place. Virgin rainforest had been destroyed to plant mile after mile of sterile monoculture. Recent efforts to replace mineral oil with biofuels has speeded up this destruction. Lauded as carbon neutral, the truth is that massive amounts of carbon is released from the rich soil laid down by the virgin rainforest over thousands of years. Huge biodiversity reduced to rat infested nothingness.
Palm oil: the biofuel of the future driving an ecological disaster now
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/apr/04/energy.indonesia
The oil for ape scandal: How palm oil is threatening the orang-utan
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/oil_for_ape_summary.pdf
Consumate bushcratfers orphaned by the palm oil industry:
http://www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk/
Asda palm oil ban to save rainforests:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jul/22/supermarkets.corporatesocialre sponsibility
Finally, please consider signing this petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/PalmOilLabelling/
Thank you.
Given that these logs are made in the UK and sold by Asda, perhaps it's not palm oil.
It just says "High quality wax". :dunno:
hedgepig
04-09-2008, 22:52
Or it is from a sustainable source!
Not having a go Gary, just highlighting something that most people are unaware off. :)
That's the problem with the current labelling - stuff is just labelled as vegetable oil. The chances are it is actually palm oil. Even chocolate contains palm oil!
Some palm oil is from a sustainable source and Asda have moved to ensure all their products that contain palm oil contains only palm oil from sustainable sources.
I highlighted the orangutan in the links above, but it is also indigenous people being forced off the land and into cities where they are like fish out of water (bushmen out of the bush!).
Prawnster
04-09-2008, 23:32
I've been using the bigK ones for a while now on the fire in the garden. I agree with everything that's been said, they burn great. The only problem I've had is if I've left one out over night and it gets damp. They soak up water like a sponge and expand into a huge pile of sawdust. It doesn't have to rain to make them look like a mouse has tried to build a nest in one, just the dew will do it. If you're carrying any in your pack make sure you keep them bone dry until you're ready to use them or you'll have a right mess in your rucksack.
Or it is from a sustainable source!
Not having a go Gary, just highlighting something that most people are unaware off. :)
Not a problem, it's something that concerns me as well.
It's all well and good saying "I think these are useful" but if it's causing a mess somewhere else I want to know about it.
It's all part of the leave no trace issue.
Given that these logs are made in the UK and sold by Asda, perhaps it's not palm oil.
It just says "High quality wax". :dunno:
I'm sorry i didn't mean to stir it up over palm oil :(
Having checked the brands of logs available for the England Ireland and Wales (their information available online due to their available for use in smoke control zones in England Wales and Ireland.) It seems that Safelight Firelogs (made by Advanced Natural Fuels Limited, at Pocklington) is the only one that uses palm wax to make up the bulk of it’s log (48-60% by weight) all the rest seem to use petroleum wax or slack wax*
Big K Instant Lighting FireLogs are made using slack wax
In the Netherlands where the Duraflame logs are made for Europe they have replaced palm oil with a “mineral-based petroleum wax”
*a “crude wax obtained from the pressing of petroleum paraffin distillate or wax distillate” basically it’s a by-product in the manufacture of lubricating oils.
It seems that palm oil is favoured in the Americas for Duraflame logs, and not Europe
I'm sorry i didn't mean to stir it up over palm oil :(
Having checked the brands of logs available for the England Ireland and Wales (their information available online due to their available for use in smoke control zones in England Wales and Ireland.) It seems that Safelight Firelogs (made by Advanced Natural Fuels Limited, at Pocklington) is the only one that uses palm wax to make up the bulk of it’s log (48-60% by weight) all the rest seem to use petroleum wax or slack wax*
Big K Instant Lighting FireLogs are made using slack wax
In the Netherlands where the Duraflame logs are made for Europe they have replaced palm oil with a “mineral-based petroleum wax”
*a “crude wax obtained from the pressing of petroleum paraffin distillate or wax distillate” basically it’s a by-product in the manufacture of lubricating oils.
It seems that palm oil is favoured in the Americas for Duraflame logs, and not Europe
No problem Tadpole.
You beat me to the answer due to office opening hours, I was going to phone them at 9.00. :D
So, it's a by product of lubricating oils. I guess we're back to the possible offset by reduced transport costs then.
I don't really know how that stacks up but my gut feeling is that it's in the "not too bad" category.
I think it will still be a backup for me when local fuel is not plentiful.
No problem Tadpole.
You beat me to the answer due to office opening hours, I was going to phone them at 9.00. :D
So, it's a by product of lubricating oils. I guess we're back to the possible offset by reduced transport costs then.
I don't really know how that stacks up but my gut feeling is that it's in the "not too bad" category.
I think it will still be a backup for me when local fuel is not plentiful.
I’m thinking that, you could, if you are brave, not carry any logs in your car, to your chosen destination. Instead visit your nearest ‘on route’ superstore selling the ‘crackle logs’ of your choice, and stock up with just enough to last as long as you are staying. You are/would be passing/visiting anyway maybe to get some fresh shopping done, so it is not adding to your fuel costs.
That has to be better than buying 10kg of firewood at your local garage. Taking it home (if your local garage firewood is anything like mine) drying it out. Then transporting it to where ever you are going. It has to be a saving in cost and transportation.
In addition, if you only fill your tank with enough fuel to get you half way to your destination, and top up at a supermarket on the way, you will save the weight of carrying 30 litres of fuel or about 17.5kg
Fill up in the early hours of the morning and you well get more fuel for your gallon measured, as Petrol increases in volume by 1% at temperatures above 15 degrees C, Typically, petrol will expand or contract by 0.12% volume for each ºC change in temperature while diesel fuels will change somewhat less, 0.08% volume/ºC. so on warm days you get less fuel from the pumps for the measured 'litre')
I know that 10kg is not enough to last for anything more than a day or two, but I start the fire with dried wood, stack the locally collected wood round to dry it and when the fire is going well I add the dampish local wood.
John Fenna
05-09-2008, 08:57
I've got one of those paper log maker thingies - you soak shredded newspaper in water, fill up the log maker and then compress it into briquettes. I've made about 10 briquettes so far, but I've not had the opportunity to try lighting any of them yet. Several people have told me that these log makers are rubbish. Anyone here got any experience of them?
I had one of these - bought from one of theose cataloges that come inside TV guides etc - utter rubbish!
The few "logs" it made before bending beyond use took forever to dry and did not burn, just smoked and smouldered for a while before going out. They only burned well on a roaring fire of other woods or coal but on a low fire - smoke and little heat!
Not worth the effort IMHO.
Now we just recycle the papers etc at the local recycling centre!
I’m thinking that, you could, if you are brave, not carry any logs in your car, to your chosen destination. Instead visit your nearest ‘on route’ superstore selling the ‘crackle logs’ of your choice, and stock up with just enough to last as long as you are staying. You are/would be passing/visiting anyway maybe to get some fresh shopping done, so it is not adding to your fuel costs.
That has to be better than buying 10kg of firewood at your local garage. Taking it home (if your local garage firewood is anything like mine) drying it out. Then transporting it to where ever you are going. It has to be a saving in cost and transportation.
In addition, if you only fill your tank with enough fuel to get you half way to your destination, and top up at a supermarket on the way, you will save the weight of carrying 30 litres of fuel or about 17.5kg
Fill up in the early hours of the morning and you well get more fuel for your gallon measured, as Petrol increases in volume by 1% at temperatures above 15 degrees C, Typically, petrol will expand or contract by 0.12% volume for each ºC change in temperature while diesel fuels will change somewhat less, 0.08% volume/ºC. so on warm days you get less fuel from the pumps for the measured 'litre')
I know that 10kg is not enough to last for anything more than a day or two, but I start the fire with dried wood, stack the locally collected wood round to dry it and when the fire is going well I add the dampish local wood.
I do usually try to source my logs locally but often end up with wet stuff as a result.
I reckon if these things burn for 1.5 - 2 hours a piece then two or three would replace 10kg easily. Although they might not produce as much heat in the winter, they provide all the light and cheer you need and only weigh in at 1.1kg each.
They also take up much less space.
Charcoal I carry with me as it's so light and I use the heat from that for cooking.
I do usually try to source my logs locally but often end up with wet stuff as a result.
I reckon if these things burn for 1.5 - 2 hours a piece then two or three would replace 10kg easily. Although they might not produce as much heat in the winter, they provide all the light and cheer you need and only weigh in at 1.1kg each.
They also take up much less space.
Charcoal I carry with me as it's so light and I use the heat from that for cooking. daft question, where do you get your char-coal from, the only stuff I seem to be able to find is either rubbish, (lots of dusts) or is really pricey
Ed
I don't suppose you can recall the outlet you sourced yours - at that price they sound very handy for home & when on the trail?
Cheers
I get them at Booths. Looking yesterday, they have change the the type - they are now larger and only 5 (I think) in the bag. They are good but not quite as good.
British Red
05-09-2008, 10:19
I really miss Booths being down sarf :(
daft question, where do you get your char-coal from, the only stuff I seem to be able to find is either rubbish, (lots of dusts) or is really pricey
I tend to use the instant lighting stuff, but try to look out for British made. It comes in 1kg bags and you just light the bag. Again, no fuss no mess.
One bag usually provides all the heat I need for cooking and because it lights so well it all burns away to ash.
I carry a bag of kindling as well and if it's just a quick fry up in the morning or a boil up that is more efficient and burns out faster. It depends what I'm doing and how fast I need to move out.
I've bought from various places such as supermarkets, garages and garden centres. When I find British stuff I tend to stock up and keep it in the garage which I suppose helps it dry out if it's at all damp.
I tend to use the instant lighting stuff, but try to look out for British made. It comes in 1kg bags and you just light the bag. Again, no fuss no mess.
One bag usually provides all the heat I need for cooking and because it lights so well it all burns away to ash.
I carry a bag of kindling as well and if it's just a quick fry up in the morning or a boil up that is more efficient and burns out faster. It depends what I'm doing and how fast I need to move out.
I've bought from various places such as supermarkets, garages and garden centres. When I find British stuff I tend to stock up and keep it in the garage which I suppose helps it dry out if it's at all damp.
I don't feel so bad now, as I have in the past used the self lighting lumpwood from B&Q, (if it's good enough for a viking:D )
hedgepig
05-09-2008, 11:34
I'm sorry i didn't mean to stir it up over palm oil :(
As I mentioned to Gary last night, I wasn't having a go, just highlighting an issue that most people are not aware of:240::grouphug:. I've seen the effects first hand so I'm all too ready to tell people about it:soapbox:. I should thank you for giving me the opportunity to highlight the issue :D.
(What people make of it is up to them:Thinkingo)
It's a balance isn't it.
If you get plain charcoal, what are you going to use to get it burning?
You've either got to use loads of kindling or some kind of lighting fluid.
If you are using lighting fluid you might as well use the pre-prepared stuff, if you are using loads of kindling there's not much point in using charcoal in the first place. :dunno:
As mentioned in another thread about being environmentally friendly, if I can do it "green" without too much trouble I will.
If it involves a lot of grief then I will consider whether there is a better option otherwise I just have to accept that there is an impact and I'll try to improve my karma somewhere else.
I keep one or two of those waxy firelogs in the boot of the car as a back up. I often chop them in half and use one half at a time.
I find them a great alternative to gathering firewood if you arrive somewhere after dark or somewhere where fuel is limited/unavailable.
Lidl's had some great instant-light charcoal, I think it was w00dsmoke who first told me about it, £4 for 4 x 1kg bags and it lasts well too.
I've used the Duraflame logs before now, got them in sainsburys, we also used some compresed sawdust pellets ? for Chimineas, they were round, didnt appear to have a wax in them but had been extruded from some press, broke into thick 1-2" rounds and were easy to light.
I've used the Duraflame logs before now, got them in sainsburys, we also used some compresed sawdust pellets ? for Chimineas, they were round, didnt appear to have a wax in them but had been extruded from some press, broke into thick 1-2" rounds and were easy to light.
Those are like the ones i got from BFL. Mine had a hole down the centre which helped them burn better.
As I recall they were very good, loads of heat but not quite as convenient as the waxed type IMO.
On the subject of charcoal, I just noticed Asda have reduced their 4x1kg bags of instant lighting stuff down to £1.99. Bought a few for stock.
I guess the supermarkets caught a cold this year with all the barbecue stuff down to the weather we've been having.
On the subject of charcoal, I just noticed Asda have reduced their 4x1kg bags of instant lighting stuff down to £1.99. Bought a few for stock.
I guess the supermarkets caught a cold this year with all the barbecue stuff down to the weather we've been having.
On this note I got some 5kg bags of the charcoal briquettes for only 72p from sainsburys the other day. I got enough to last me till the next time they sell them off:lmao:
They also had the insto light jobbies for 99p for 4 x 1kg bags.
and also odourless fire lighters for 27p, which I am going to check out their capabilities asap.
Bodge:)
Womble_Lancs
07-09-2008, 20:55
Hmmm, I was wondering if it would be cost-effective to make my own 'crackle logs'. There's a candle workshop I go to occasionally, which sells waste parafin wax at £1 for a carrier bag full. I don't produce a lot of sawdust, but I do have lots of twigs, pinecones, etc. which might make something useful.
robin wood
07-09-2008, 21:13
Not sure what to think about these. On the one hand it sounds light and convenient but on the other it goes against most of what a real fire is about for me. Whilst it may look like you are burning wood it sounds to me like the sawdust/chip is simply acting as a wick for a petrochemical. I know firewood bought from garage forecourts is wet but for me getting wood in and drying it in advance is all part of the experience.
I must say these logs are a great bit of kit for a backup. Like Gary says we used ordinary logs for most of the evening, but we tried the crackle log as an experiment (niether of us had seen one used) and they were awesome. Good amount of heat and light, easy enough to start with no waste afterwards. My initial thoughts were that it would be a huge morale booster if you brought someone off the mountain wet and cold, gave em a blanket and sat them in front of one of these. It immediately lifts the spirits and is just nice to sit and talk by. I'd stick one in the boot without a doubt :D
I know what you are saying Robin and largely I agree with the sentiment.
It's certainly not like sitting around a good dry log fire.
Unfortunately, good dry logs are not what is being sold at garages.
The sort of places I find myself on landscape trips are usually devoid of natural firewood.
I don't have the room to store large quantities of wood for it to dry out and transporting it from one end of the country to another burns more of those petrochemicals in my van.
These burn longer than a bag of logs, are cheaper, take up less space and weigh just 1.1 kilo. They are more or less smokeless and made from recycled materials and by products.
For the sort of application I generally have, these seem ideal.
I'm just home from a weekend away at Morch's, and Triptaka brought one of these logs along. Absolutely brilliant......fast start charcoal for cooking and heat and one of these logs boosted this with lots of extra light. I was impressed, and I'll be acquiring some to add to the 'take when out' pile.
I quite fancy having a shot at making my own, I can get mountains of hardwood sawdust, does anyone have any idea of what kind of proportion of wax to sawdust though ?
cheers,
Toddy
I picked up one from Wilkinson's months ago but never used it, I will now though, thanks for the heads up on these :)
This last winter, one trip the wood was soaked, even the bag from Tesco's, the only way I got a good hot fire going was to make a 2Kg charcoal bed and set the wood on top of that :(
I've made sawdust/candle wax fire starters before now using egg boxes as a mould, this works fine but would be a bit pongi for anything bigger than half an egg?
I quite fancy having a shot at making my own, I can get mountains of hardwood sawdust, does anyone have any idea of what kind of proportion of wax to sawdust though ?
cheers,
Toddy
slack wax (as to approximately 55 to 60 per cent of the total weight) and hardwood sawdust (as to approximately 40 to 45 per cent of the total weight); If you have enough coffee grounds that are bone dry you can of course replace some of the saw-dist with coffee grounds. al la Java log:D
Roast coffee logs..................Hmmm
Celt_Ginger
08-09-2008, 14:31
Fire logs are great. Over here some are made from peat and some from saw dust. When I take the family camping, we often burn some in the evening (using the BBQ as a fire pit)
if any one frequents centre parcs for their hols this is the only log you can use in there chalets but alot cheaper to buy on the outside.... (great things) to use though.
Would beeswax be any good for these? My dad's a beekeper so I can get my hands on plenty of wax and sawdust!
I guess they would work with bees wax but it seems a shame to use good beeswax just for that.
Yes, good point. Just think there's less risk of being environmentally unsound! Mind you there's never huge amounts produced so I'd probably only get 3-4 logs per year so hardly seems worth it.
Just a quick warning.
Asda have just changed the brand of these that they sell to Duraflame and the price has risen from £1.60 to £2.50. :bluThinki
The new logs also say "All natural product" instead of "Recycled", make of that what you will.
Anyone know a cheaper supplier?
andybysea
30-04-2009, 10:07
My dad brought me up a box full of them from cost co dont know how much they are but could find out may work out cheaper buying them by the box.
Just a quick warning.
Asda have just changed the brand of these that they sell to Duraflame and the price has risen from £1.60 to £2.50. :bluThinki
The new logs also say "All natural product" instead of "Recycled", make of that what you will.
Anyone know a cheaper supplier?
According to the internet the Bio wax’s used in the duraflame logs are made from vegetable wax made by the process of hydrogenation of soy oil and “palm stearin” a by-product from palm oil refinery industry (the crude palm oil is ‘split’ into liquids “Olein” and solid “stearin”)
I use "Flamefast Firelighters" Instant Lighting Firelog. It does burn for over 2 hours, as it says on the packet. The website is http://www.euroliters.co.uk. I buy them from "Home Bargains" where they cost 99p each:D
They tell you not to put any other fuel onto the fire with the firelog, but when at Fisherground Campsite using "petrol station" firewood I found that a couple of lumps of dampish wood on top burned well and caused no problems.
However when I poked the firelog to break it up a little (so I could set a grill over it to boil my zebra kettle), it flared up to the point that I had to move away and give it 15 minutes to die down before I could get near it to put the grill on. To be fair it does say "don't break the firelog whilst burning" in the safety advice - and I now follow this advice!!!:rolleyes:
I picked one of these up in a Co-op near work last week
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd291/Shewie01/DSC00973.jpg
Can remember how much I paid but it wasn't more than a couple of quid.
Made by Bord Na Mona, Ireland
Not sure what it's made of but it's odourless and smokeless aparently.
I've never used one before but Gailainne had one up at Loch Lomond and I was dead impressed.
demographic
01-05-2009, 15:34
Sometimes when things come to work on pallets the skids are made out of compressed chipboard stuff thats about four inches square by about four foot long.
They break down into shorter lengths with ease and really burn well for a long time.
I suppose its kind of the same thing.
landyandy
01-05-2009, 22:09
I get mine from save stores for 99p ish and i think they are great i've been yousing them for about 4-5 years when camping with the missis and kids .
Where are these save stores Andy, I've not seen them before
ScarletPimpernel
02-05-2009, 07:55
These logs are very widely available here in NI (a higher proportion of open fireplaces in houses than on the mainland, I think), but I get mine at Lidl - about 30p cheaper than Asda.
Home Bargains also sell these, only noticed them yesterday evening.
landyandy
02-05-2009, 17:15
Where are these save stores Andy, I've not seen them before
Home Bargains and the like..
landyandy
02-05-2009, 17:18
hi rich your Under a tree in Yorkshire witch one i keep looking ,but not found you yet..
hi rich your Under a tree in Yorkshire witch one i keep looking ,but not found you yet..
Usually the one which is getting rained on :rolleyes:
or Morley
Gailainne
02-05-2009, 18:39
The ones from Asda, are no where near as hot as compressed wood or the like, BUT they put out an amazing amount of light, for up to 2 hours, pretty sure it was Wayland who introduced them to me. We've used them a few times at meets, and you really don't need any other means of illumination, when one of these is going. For a couple of quid, great bit of kit.
Stephen
Asda seem to have the old ones back in stock now but at £1.70, another 10p price rise.
My local "Home Bargains" doesn't stock them so until I get a Costco card I suppose Asda is still my best bet.
Quick heads up.
Aldi are doing them for £1.25 at the moment in thier specials section.
catman61
16-11-2009, 17:59
If anyone's near Norwich Thorns in Exchange st sell them at £1.50 up depending on brand :-thornsdiy.com
(no connection etc!)
Fire logs at B & M today 99p
Twodogs
Bogman10
21-11-2009, 08:57
I use a simular product in my tent stove at night, they last a long time so I stay warm all night! I do use wood the rest of the day thought
Roll back at Asda.
£1.26 now :D
I know this might be a silly question, however, has anyone ever tried to make their own? How would you go about it? I imagine it would take a bit of pressure to bind everything together even if you had the right ingredients..
Cheers,
Roll back at Asda.
£1.26 now :D
99p at Home Bargains...just stocked up!:D
Simon
You know those log maker thingies ? the ones used to turn sodden newspaper into firelogs ?
They work on the mix of old wax paper and sawdust.
You can improvise though with a bit of plastic drainpipe and something to ram the gunky stuff down hard. Let it set and then shove it out the end.
cheers,
Toddy
You know those log maker thingies ? the ones used to turn sodden newspaper into firelogs ?
They work on the mix of old wax paper and sawdust.
You can improvise though with a bit of plastic drainpipe and something to ram the gunky stuff down hard. Let it set and then shove it out the end.
cheers,
Toddy
thanks Toddy for surfacing a memory from the 1970's, when I lived at Ickornshaw North Yorkshire and the house deeds included 774 acres of shooting and peat cutting on the moor where I had my own 10'x8' hut.
Ickornshaw moor (http://www.cowlingweb.co.uk/local_history/history/brief_history_of_ickornshaw_mo or.asp)
I came up with the idea of welding x2 pieces of RSJ girder together to form a box mold then having this in a frame of 2"x1/4" angle iron and a 4 ton hydraulic car jack with a plate with holes to try and squeeze the fresh peat into brickets, but no matter how small the holes it just squeezed out worms of peat :lmao: so back to the traditional of cutting and drying then fetching down off the moor to burn on the Reyburn (like an Aga)
sorry for the:jacked:
cheers Danny
Whittler Kev
06-03-2010, 21:45
Just come across this. Definitely something to carry when out and about meeting overnight
TinkyPete
07-03-2010, 09:55
I stocked up on them now they are GREAT :)
I've just got some of the Home Bargains / B&M ones.
They feel slightly lighter and say they burn "Over Two Hours" as opposed to "Up to Three Hours".
I'll have to have a burn comparison at some stage, I'm up in Scotland for a few days soon so I might be able to do it then.
Good price though.
I've just got some of the Home Bargains / B&M ones.
They feel slightly lighter and say they burn "Over Two Hours" as opposed to "Up to Three Hours".
I'll have to have a burn comparison at some stage, I'm up in Scotland for a few days soon so I might be able to do it then.
Good price though.
B&M do them? Brilliant, I've a pal lives near a B&M store in Linlithgow will give him a shout.
Would love to try these.
Liam