How to Make Cardboard Logs

Prepare the Cardboard

• 1

  Gather together all of your cardboard. Using the utility knife, cut down any boxes so that all the cardboard is in flat pieces.

• 2

  Choose the size you would like the length of your finished logs to be. This will depend on whether you will be burning them in a wood stove or a fireplace. For this article, we will be making 14 inch logs.

• 3

  Make a cutting template from a piece of the cardboard. Measure a rectangle on a piece of the cardboard that is 14 inches wide and 24 inches long. Mark the lines with a straight edge and a pencil. Cut out the template with the utility knife using the straight edge as a guide.

• 4

  Lay a layer of cardboard on the outdoor flat surface large enough to work on: about two feet by three feet. This will be your cutting pad so you are not cutting directly onto the floor.

• 5

  Cut varying lengths of cardboard that are all 14 inches wide. To do this, lay your template down so it is flush with one edge of the piece of cardboard you will be cutting (right or left side depending on whether you are right or left handed). Hold the template down with one hand and one knee, and cut along the edge of the template. The lengths do not matter as long as all of the pieces are a uniform 14 inches in width.

• 6

  Keep moving the template down and continue cutting the lengths. Remember to keep the edge of the template flush with the edge of the cardboard. Cut until all of the cardboard is gone.

• 7

  Spread all of the cardboard lengths out in a single layer on the floor surface.

• 8

  Fill the watering can with water, and "water" the cardboard so that it is wet enough to be pliable, but not completely soaked.

Constructing the Logs

• 9

  Pre-cut some lengths of the twine; start with fifteen 18-inch pieces, which will be enough for five logs.

• 10

  Stack all of the cardboard lengths next to your work cutting area. Pick one from the stack, and beginning at one of the 14 inch ends, fold the edge over about one inch. Begin to tightly roll the cardboard width wise toward the other end.

• 11

  Have the second person help you keep the roll tight as you go. When you are almost to the end of the first length of cardboard, have your helper lay the end of the next length of cardboard on top of the end of the first one by overlapping about five inches.

• 12

  Have your helper hold the overlapped portion down until you have continued rolling the log onto the new length of cardboard.

• 13

  Continue rolling and utilizing step 4 until the log is the size you desire. The finished log should look similar to a large, very thick paper towel tube.

• 14

  Hold the log in place with your hand and knee, and have your helper slip one length of the twine under the log at one end. The helper needs to tie a knot as tightly as possible.

• 15

  Repeat step 6 on the other end of the log. Tie a third knot in the middle of the log.

• 16

  Plan on drying your logs in a warm dry area for an average of 3 months. This time will vary more or less depending on your climate, and it is conceivable that they may dry in less time. Try one, and see how it burns.

• 17

  Use these logs as if they are wood. If they do not seem to burn well, then dry a little longer.