Q&A Question on woodstove

Question:

I read a lot of your material and q and a's before I recently installed a small woodstove in my home. I really listened to your advice on the importance of chimneys and drafting and boy does it make a difference. It is so easy to start and keep a fire going and I tell it is burning really clean. Anyways my manufacturer's specs say I can burn any solid fuels and mention 'presto' logs. Are these the same as duraflame logs for fireplaces. I noticed it is not generally recommended by the makers of duraflame logs. My woodstove has a draft control on the bottom so I know air is not a problem, and has firebrick on the bottom and sides and across the top to separate a small chamber for secondary combustion. And it seems hard to imagine they burn too hot as a few good hardwood logs turn into what seems to be an awfully hot bed of coals. Any advice you have would be appreciated



Answer:

Duraflames and most other decorative logs have wax in them and should not be used in a closed woodstove. Some "fake" logs are made without wax additives, and these would be OK to burn..however, these logs seem to hard to find - especially on the east coast. Best bet, and cheapest too, is to use good old wood.