One of the nicest conveniences in an old or modern home is the fireplace. It often provides warmth, atmosphere, and beauty all in one package, making it the centerpiece of many homes. Of course, it also requires fuel to burn, which can be expensive depending on where people live. Enter the paper log maker, which can be a useful eco gadget to help supplement your fuel supply.

Buy a Paper Log Maker - Click for Latest Deals!

The availability of wood varies depending on time of year and location, and there are the environmental concerns.After all, trees must be cut down to make firewood, and while most responsible companies plant replacement trees, it still is a matter that worries the environmentally minded.

As an alternative or supplement to traditional wood-log fires, many people are turning to paper logs as a fuel source. Consisting of heavily compressed stacks of paper, these logs manage to provide a number of solutions in a single stroke.

And then there is the matter of storage. Once made dry them out in your greenhouse, shed or summer house until they are totally dry and ready to burn. Some folks have also discovered there are a number of clever crafts you can do with your paper logs. For example by adding a few harmless chemicals to the water you soak the papers in, you can produce varying colors of flame the logs produce.

Also, adding magnesium sulphate can produce a unique, white looking flame. If you're worried, you don't need to be - Magnesium sulphate is a key ingredient in Epsom bath salts, and harmless when burned. If unsure conduct your own research.

Of course, not everyone will use enough papers to completely replace their logs, and some paper logs burn fairly quickly compared to a traditional log. In these cases, it can be beneficial to use the paper logs as supplements to traditional wood or green logs.

Use the paper log as a sort of kindling or starter log that will help the main logs catch fire and burn more evenly. Whatever use you settle on, definitely consider putting those older papers to better use than the recycling bin.

- How do paper log makers work?

Jemima Asks - What is a Log Maker?

Rather than go into a tedious, technical explanation about these useful ecological gadgets, we'll let Tommy and Jemima succinctly answer the question "What is a log maker?"

After that issues is crossed off the list, there is also the delicate matter of rescuing the remainder of Tommy's treasured collection of Beano, Dandy, Eagle and Teddy Land comics, from the ravages of hot, milky coffee.