Using newspaper to get log burner going?

eveares · 16 Sep 2014

I might be getting a multi-fuel log burner soon and was looking at videos of how to light one out of curiosity.

One video said not to use newspaper as it produces a lot of ash what gets stuck to the side of the flue and can ignite and lead to flue and chimney fires.

Is this true, even when the flue is cleaned once or twice a year?

Regards: Elliott

Corgigrouch · 16 Sep 2014

Lighting with a little newspaper is just fine.. as is having your chimney swept once a year

landyandy · 16 Sep 2014

Newspaper is fine.

Any questions about your burner over here...

http://www.thegreenlivingforum.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21

Andy

TCCHeating · 16 Sep 2014

A splash of diesel works wonders as well.

No joke! It does, but make sure it's diesel, not petrol!

In fact.......... Forget I ever said that

EddieM · 16 Sep 2014

Nah.. newspaper is fine... just make sure your logs are dry, wet logs now theres a problem in the making!

JBR · 16 Sep 2014

I agree with the above (except the bit about petrol!). We use screwed up newspaper, along with kindling, to get the fire going and we've never had any problems. Mind you, we do have our chimney swept every year.

The comment about appropriate logs is more important. We only use kiln dried logs and wouldn't dream of using anything else. Apart from creating problems up your flue (!) non-kiln dried logs are a bugger to light.

Edit: Oh bugger, I forgot about the Mary Whitehouse censor.

eveares · 16 Sep 2014

Just imagine what would happen if you pored petrol down the flue while a log burner was in operation.

Think common sense along with having the flue swept is the post important thing long term.

Corgigrouch · 17 Sep 2014

When I was a kid I used to use all kinds of things to light the fire.... Petrol burns away too quickly and removes eyebrows.... Diesel stinks.. Sugar burns well.. Once burning, Wellington boots let the neighbours know that your fire is lit (Our neighbours lived half a mile away) .

I've always found that Kiln dried logs to be a bit ott, properly seasoned and stored logs burn as cleanly.. but it can take two years to season them..

EddieM · 17 Sep 2014

I would actually say kiln dried logs, may burn too quickly, but then I've only used well seasoned logs. One thing I have found is that it's best to get a variety of wood, hard and soft, say coniferous, oak and fruit woods. The softwoods take easily, but burn quickly, whereas the hard woods, take more slowly but burn a lot longer.

Burnerman · 17 Sep 2014

Newspaper is treated with a flame retardant, but it's probably the best use for most of it anyway.......
I don't buy newspapers but use a small chunk of firelighter.
Go for ash logs if you can (I imagine there's a lot to be had courtesy of the die back disease) and it's water percentage is low straight from the tree.
Beech is another good one.
John

JBR · 18 Sep 2014

Corgigrouch said:
I've always found that Kiln dried logs to be a bit ott, properly seasoned and stored logs burn as cleanly.. but it can take two years to season them..

I agree, but I have nowhere to store logs for two years!

Kiln dried logs are fine for us. Yes, they can burn quickly, but judicious control of the vent(s) will prevent this.

bobby spray · 18 Sep 2014

I often use a plumbers torch to get a burn on quicker

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Using newspaper to get log burner going?

EddieM

EddieM

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