Stoked about coffee logs - SPIN News Magazine




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POSTED: Nov. 14, 2008

Stoked about coffee logs

by Lailani Mendoza

Skimming an engineering textbook while sipping a cappuccino in a Paris coffee shop, Rod Sprules was astounded to learn that coffee grounds have 25 per cent more energy capacity than wood when combusted. A mechanical engineer, Sprules thought this piece of information might come in handy, so he inscribed the words: "coffee grounds = better than wood" in his notebook.

Then he had an epiphany. Coffee shops produce lots of coffee grounds, which could be made into firelogs. Having designed products like temperature-regulated suits and forklifts in the past, Sprules couldn't wait to try out his idea.

"I began experimenting with ingredients, stuffing a first time Java-recipe into an empty cigar tube with a pen," said Sprules. "Voila, the first sample was successfully ignited at our small Paris apartment table. Joanne and I watched with excitement as the first mini Java-Log burned brilliantly. The Java-Log was born, and we both realized that I'd invented something special."

Sprules and his wife received the first patent for their product in Canada in late 1999. Then a series of hard work began: transforming the garage into a makeshift factory for manufacturing prototypes, perfecting the product's composition, and scrounging up finances to fuel their dream to completion.

Java-Log, the only product of its kind, has gained the approval of regular folks and environmentalists alike, and was even named by Time magazine as "one of the coolest inventions in 2003."

The coffee firelog boasts some impressive features. It has three times more energy than wood and has the same burning time as other firelogs (a five-pound firelog burns in two to three hours). "In fact, a six-pound firelog will burn as long as about 36 pounds of firewood," said Brittany Welch, spokesperson for Java-Log firelogs.

"Java-Log is made with recycled spent coffee grounds and all-natural wax," she said. "The 100 per cent renewable natural wax used in Java-Log firelogs is derived from soybean, palm and pine trees."

The coffee grounds are acquired from companies that manufacture instant coffee and coffee-flavoured beverages, ice creams, syrups, and other food items, she added.

Compared to wood, Java-Logs have 96 per cent less residue from combustion, 85 per cent less carbon monoxide, 86 per cent less creosote deposits and 31 per cent less particulate matter. Because it burns cleaner, there's less chimney residue and less risk of fires. There's no need for kindling either, because you simply burn the package on both ends and leave it in the fireplace. It has no chemical smell and is friendly on the environment-it diverts about 10 million kilograms of coffee waste from landfills per year.

"My goal was simple: recycle waste from one of the world's most popular beverages into the best performing product in the market place," said the product's inventor. With Java-Log's success, he can now say "Mission accomplished!"

For more information, visit www.java-log.com.