The nice thing about Duraflame is that it pretty much burns for a set period of time, then it's out. But wood smells better and is nice and crackly. We use Java Logs which are kind of a compromise.

Depends how lazy you are. (me=very lazy) Wood requires a lot of effort to keep going (poking, moving, adding), whereas with Duraflame you light it once and don't have to do anything to it afterwards.

I am a wood person, but I grew up in a house where the fireplace was a primary heat source.

No pine!

What about a Duraflame + some kindling, to make the fire a little bigger and cracklier. Is that crazy?

If you lay a great base (rolled, twisted newspaper, or real tinder i.e. dry twigs/leaves, then kindling i.e. smaller bits of wood) and put your logs atop that, and light in at least three places (each side and the middle) then real, dry wood makes the best fire by far. It crackles, it glows, and it smells the way it should. Duraflame actually smells a bit like petroleum, and burns in a somewhat creepy style like those fake fires on TV, so it is a much less desirable option.

I come down firmly on the side of real wood. There is a learning curve, but you will be learning something that generation upon generation, going a few hundred thousand back, have had to learn in order to survive in non-equatorial Earth. Basically the same ancient skill set that the Neandertals had.

For your first run at using a new fireplace--especially if you're feeling at all apprehensive about it--it might make good sense to reduce the number of complicating factors by just using a Duraflame log. In my experience, every fireplace works somewhat differently in terms of how strong the draft is, making sure the damper stays open, etc. etc., and this would give you a chance to scope it out and make your first experience low-stress.

The other issue with using "real" wood for your first fire would be getting your hands on a supply of good, well-seasoned hardwood, which has had a least 6 months (preferably a year) to dry out after being cut, and which has been stored in a dry place. You may have ready access to such, but most of my friends who have fireplaces have a load of green-ish wood delivered in the summer and then have to let it sit and dry/season for a while before using.

Hope you have a lovely fire, whichever approach you take!

We usually do a Duraflame + a couple of real logs.

I'm in the real log camp, though kat allison is totally right that you need decent firewood and that isn't always easy to find, especially at the last minute. If in doubt about your available wood, you can usually find bundles of seasoned logs at plant nurseries and places like that - sometimes well-stocked grocery stores. Most towns or at least areas have "wood guys" that you can find in the phone book, but they tend to deal in large amounts like a half cord on up. So you would probably go that route only if you get serious about regular fires.

She's also right that testing the draw of your fireplace is really important. So there's a very vital question: do you know if the chimney is clean? I have been "smoked out" a couple times in life by lighting the year's first fire, only to realize a squirrel built a nest in the chimney and the smoke has nowhere to go, in which case it backs up into the house, sets off the smoke detectors, and makes for an overly dramatic evening.

Before lighting anything, it's advisable to get the draw going. I do this by twisting a cone of newspaper, lighting one end, and sticking it up the chimney. This heats air in the chimney, which rises, drawing cooler air behind it and giving a head start to the sort of airflow you will want with the fire. It may also show you that there's a problem, if the smoke just sort of hangs around or sinks.

But once everything's in order and you're confident that your chimney draws well, it's real wood every time. It smells real, sounds real, and gives a real flavor if you want to make popcorn or mulled cider over it.

Real wood all the way, preferably cedar or wood from fruit trees. Duraflame gives me a headache from the outgassing.

It's not a real fire if its not real wood.

Real wood. Lay a generous - what may seem like an overgenerous - bed of kindling, with 2-3 real logs atop. Stuff paper under the grate and light in several places. That will get and keep most fires going for hours if your wood is properly cured.

We clean chimneys. Duraflame leaves a lot of flammable wax and oil in the chimney. They should only be used in open fireplaces and never in airtight stoves.

Go for the real thing, not the petrochemical ersatz.

I chunk up Duraflame logs for firestarters, but wood is my 2ndary heat source. They're easy; give yourself a break and enjoy the fire.

We ended up starting with a duraflame and putting a piece of real wood in with it. Best of both worlds! It was fantastic.