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When the wintertime brings its shorter days and long, cold nights, it’s time to plan some cozy parties — complete with a roaring fire in your fireplace or backyard fire pit.
At wintry get-togethers, the fire will be the focal point around which everyone will gather, and this year you can easily upgrade your fire by lighting up a scented fire log.
Gone are the days of basic fire logs that only offer a quick way to light a fire in the fireplace or outdoor pit. These newfangled fire logs and fire starters provide bright burning flames along with unique scents wafting through your home or yard. Think: fires scented with coffee, cinnamon, apple — and even fried chicken! These spins on the regular old fire logs range from delicious to cozy to super-weird.
Yankee Candle Balsam And Cedar Scented Firelog
In the crisp, cold air, there’s no better smell than firewood and cedar. The Yankee Candle Balsam and Cedar Scented Firelog (currently $17.89 for a set of four at Walmart) will infuse the night with a woodsy fragrance while also providing big, bright flames. All you have to do is light the wrapper and then snuggle up to enjoy three hours of dancing firelight.
Pine Mountain Java Log
What could be cozier on a cold, snowy day than curling up with a cup of coffee by your coffee-scented fire? The Pine Mountain Java Log (currently $43.97 on Amazon) claims to be the only fire log made from recycled coffee beans, and the product page at multiple sites promises “bright flames, crackling sounds and aroma of brewing coffee.” Indeed, a New York Times Wirecutter writer tested out various fire logs and found that the Java Logs “produced the best flame for the most amount of time.”
“One thing I especially liked about the Java is that the flames stayed consistently large, 6 to 8 inches, throughout the entire burn, and the flames didn’t just ride on top,” they wrote. “The whole log was engulfed, making it nicer to look at.”
Cinnamon-Scented Fire Starter
Speaking of delicious and homey scents, these fire starters light up with the aroma of cinnamon. The spiced fire starters from The Maine Flame ($11.77 at Home Depot) come in a set of 10, packaged in a cute rustic crate. Each fire starter is shaped like an evergreen tree to really seal in the cozy cabin vibes.
KFC 11 Herbs & Spices Firelog
Yes, that’s right — KFC created a fire log that smells like fried chicken. The KFC 11 Herbs & Spices Firelog is currently available on Walmart’s website for $4.98 for one fire log. For big-time fried chicken fans, it’s a steal for the novelty of lighting up a fire that smells like a crispy drumstick. The log is made by Enviro-Log from 100% recycled materials and can burn for up to three hours, so it’s perfect for an evening of fried-chicken-scented goodness.
Irish Peat Fire Logs By Siobhan’s
Now we move from the goofiness of chicken-inspired fire logs to the classic scent of the Irish countryside with these peat fire logs. Peat is far from a new product, and in fact, it’s been used for centuries. Peat logs are harvested from the earth and then dried, compressed and burned as a fuel source. These Irish Peat Fire Logs by Siobhan’s ($39.99 for a box of 22 logs) consist of 100% organic Irish peat, which the company claims will burn “hotter, longer and cleaner than firewood.”
Whiskey Woods Firestarter
This “whiskey woods” fire starter from Northern Lights Candles ($16) promises to get your fire going quickly and burn with a delicious woodsy, musky aroma for hours. Made from recycled materials, you can feel good about the cozy scent wafting from your fire.
Apple-Scented Fire Starter
Another product by The Maine Flame, these apple-scented fire-starters ($9.75 at Home Depot) aren’t full-size logs, but they’ll help you get the party started in your fireplace or fire pit — and provide a light apple scent at the same time. The smell of apple and firewood mingling in the air makes for a festive and cozy ambiance.
What kind of fiery scent are you looking for this winter?
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