Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n04)
Coffee Corner - Warning: Contains Hot Coffee - by Heidi Huff
posted: Feb. 23, 2007
Warning: Contains Hot Coffee
Have you ever seen the Inventor's Submission advertisements? Do they make you slightly angry for not having thought of that idea first? Maybe that's just me. Though I didn't see it on TV, I had one such angry-at-myself moment when I heard about the Java-Log. The Java-Log burns 7 times cleaner than wood, and has 25 times its energy capacity. Aside from the added bonus of saving a tree, Java-Logs produce significantly fewer emissions than firewood. It brags 96% less residue after combustion, 85% less carbon monoxide, and 86% less creosote deposits (that's what causes chimney fires).
Rod Sprules created the Java-Log idea in his apartment one afternoon. He used dried coffee grounds from his coffee maker filter, combined it with candle wax and then compressed it into an old cigar tube. It burned so well that he then made prototypes and gave them to friends to try out. Sprules then assembled a manufacturing line from old appliance parts and scavenged coffee grounds from a local coffeehouse dumpster. This new compressing process took 45 minutes and 365 cups of spent coffee to produce just one log (my answer to why wouldn't people just make these at home). After perfecting his at-home method, Sprules distributed the Log at the local farmer's market and then to the hardware stores. They were an instant success, leading them to their seemingly inevitable mass production.
The Java-Log is 100% natural. Today, it is still comprised of recycled coffee but now uses vegetable wax. Annually, the production of this log reduces coffee waste in landfills by 42 million kg. Its packaging is comprised of 100% recycled materials.
Though first manufactured in a Canadian garage, Java-Log is receiving world-wide recognition. In 2003, Time Magazine named the Java-Log as one of the year's coolest inventions. The Log was even featured on Ellen. While the Log is getting all this press, I actually heard about it word-of-mouth, so spread the word!
I purchased my Java-Log at Wild Oats for $5 and felt the taller, smoke-reduced flames (as compared to pine firelogs) were well worth the added cost. Though the Java-Log price tag is a bit higher than run-of-the-mill pine firelogs, those who purchase the Log are most likely thinking about the cost of not using them.
For more information on Java-Log, visit www.java-log.com.
heidi@broadripplegazette.com