apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

While maybe a nifty idea, I think that this is precisely the sort of thing that ends up creating clutter in apartments/homes.

I remember these from the energy crisis of the seventies. They're probably fine for a starter log, but as my family found out, they're not great for your primary heat source.

The post doesn't imply that it should be a primary heat source. It's comparing a rolled-up newspaper to a purchased starter log and to a crumpled-up newspaper (used to start a fire).

Wonder how rolled up newspaper burns--lotsa ash, black smoke? (clearly not an issue if the fireplace is properly vented)... also, what's the environmental impact of burning paper (carbon emissions) vs recycling?

If you can't start a fire only using two to three sheets of newspaper you have some learnin' to do.

Two sheets, some kindling (any sort of wood scrap), one match.

in any case (here i go, mr state-the-obvious again) let's hand it to Regina (or the AT team)for continually suprising/bringing such cool and/or provocative household things from natural sciences or whatever

I have one of these. It rolls a really nice joint.

My husband and I inherited one of these from the previous tenants of our apartment. While it works okay (it looks a bit old fashioned and clutters the area around the fireplace), we found that we like to start our fires with Java Logs. They are made with used coffee grounds and wax and you just light it. You can just use the Java log by itself for a fire, but we throw a little firewood on top and have a warm, toasty fire for several hours.

Max is right, two sheets of newpaper and some dry kindling... besides, newspapers burn really dirty and are not good for your chimney.

A neat gadget but not a good idea.

Instead of buying and storing this device you can take any old tim can, open it at both ends and roll up newspaper into it. Soak the whole thing in water and let it dry. You'll have a great log that burns well. When the fire dies down remove the tin can (be careful not to burn yourself.

My parents had one of these, as i recall it took a lot of newpapers to make a paper log that did not burn well. If you can't light a fire with a couple sheets of paper, some kindling and a match, give up before you burn yourself :)