Make A Fireplace Log Out Of Newspaper

If you have a fireplace, you're probably used to saving stacks of old newspaper to use as kindling. With a couple of days and a handful of materials, you can also transform newspaper into a fireplace log that can be used in place of store-bought options.

Grab a sizable stack of newspaper and soak it in a bucket for about two days. Keep it as a stack while it's soaking -- you want it to begin to break down into a pulpy matter, but you don't want it to completely disintegrate.

Once thoroughly soaked, mash the newspapers with a mallet to ensure the paper starts to break down. Roll the papers over a metal dowel, creating a hole in the middle of the "log." Squeeze out excess water and allow to thoroughly dry for a few days.

The result? A handy fireplace log with impressive burning time, thanks to its compact structure. If you find yourself with some free time and a whole lot of newspaper, you might want to make several and keep them on hand for a cold winter's night.

For complete instructions and a quick video of the log in action, check out Lifehacker.

Are you up for the DIY challenge? Let us know how it goes!

Photo: Flickr.com/drb62