diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/additional_data_copy.cc b/tests/matrix_free/additional_data_copy.cc
index 85f573fa8335..3484836f2b50 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/additional_data_copy.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/additional_data_copy.cc
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 template <typename T>
 bool
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d.cc b/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d.cc
index 1fb04f7dcce8..9933de9a5dcb 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d.cc
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_system.cc b/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_system.cc
index 0e89637ba72a..46c1c47e240a 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_system.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_system.cc
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_vectorization_mask.cc b/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_vectorization_mask.cc
index 4706713b2ff3..fcfc47daa06b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_vectorization_mask.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/advect_1d_vectorization_mask.cc
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_01.cc
index afad93cca754..e683e8f6855b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_01.cc
@@ -36,9 +36,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
-
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
 void
@@ -158,7 +155,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_02.cc
index 70ab7a365d84..b58fb5a84da8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_02.cc
@@ -36,8 +36,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 const unsigned int degree_p = 1;
 
@@ -215,7 +213,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_03.cc b/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_03.cc
index 0cb764fdbec7..a4c8c38adc23 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_03.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/assemble_matrix_03.cc
@@ -39,8 +39,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 namespace Assembly
 {
@@ -198,7 +196,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization.cc b/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization.cc
index 4be5c69e83a3..10fecce5f96c 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization.cc
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 template <int dim>
 void
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization_02.cc
index f0b1eba5e07c..c368c3b28925 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/cell_categorization_02.cc
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 template <int dim>
 void
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/compress_constraints.cc b/tests/matrix_free/compress_constraints.cc
index c3448356f724..87d2f63c652d 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/compress_constraints.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/compress_constraints.cc
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 
 template <int dim>
@@ -97,7 +95,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/compress_mapping.cc b/tests/matrix_free/compress_mapping.cc
index cd77d3421dcf..8493156b99f8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/compress_mapping.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/compress_mapping.cc
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 
 template <int dim>
@@ -182,7 +180,7 @@ test_parallelogram()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/copy.cc b/tests/matrix_free/copy.cc
index a46876edd66f..624c6c36bf5f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/copy.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/copy.cc
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/copy_feevaluation.cc b/tests/matrix_free/copy_feevaluation.cc
index c4b526815aa2..5eae41ab64ec 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/copy_feevaluation.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/copy_feevaluation.cc
@@ -19,10 +19,6 @@
 // the heap (using AlignedVector) instead of allocating it on the stack. Tests
 // also copy constructors of FEEvaluation.
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/aligned_vector.h>
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
@@ -52,6 +48,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 
 template <int dim, int degree_p, typename VectorType>
@@ -336,7 +334,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_01.cc
index fb06c63df179..f6ea0ed10086 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_01.cc
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 // We want to use the matrix-vector product provided by this function (which
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_02.cc
index 7fcd4dbe399a..4a04f8f50d3f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/dg_pbc_02.cc
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 
 template <int dim>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/estimate_condition_number_mass.cc b/tests/matrix_free/estimate_condition_number_mass.cc
index 11f2baa51023..bbc3312f0fb6 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/estimate_condition_number_mass.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/estimate_condition_number_mass.cc
@@ -19,10 +19,6 @@
 // different polynomial degrees. The mesh uses a hypercube mesh with no
 // hanging nodes and no other constraints
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/function_lib.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/fe/fe_dgq.h>
@@ -40,6 +36,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 #include <deal.II/numerics/vector_tools.h>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 void
 output_double_number(double input, const std::string &text)
@@ -156,7 +154,7 @@ test(const FiniteElement<dim> &fe, const unsigned int n_iterations)
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(2);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization.cc b/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization.cc
index 40cbab8677e6..e57f50518b7a 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization.cc
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename number>
 class MatrixFreeTest
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization_02.cc
index 2f8a6a3a0319..617f3bc26872 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/faces_value_optimization_02.cc
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename number>
 class MatrixFreeTest
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_cartesian.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_cartesian.cc
index 74c04c5a08ed..d2f3cf98abc1 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_cartesian.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_cartesian.cc
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_circle.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_circle.cc
index ee576e315d88..9fb44a490c91 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_circle.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_circle.cc
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_common.h b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_common.h
index c12568185e6a..394dc3cd1aa7 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_common.h
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_common.h
@@ -274,8 +274,7 @@ do_test(const DoFHandler<dim> &          dof,
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-  deallog.depth_console(0);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_constraints.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_constraints.cc
index 11503a41685c..174a9a74922b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_constraints.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_constraints.cc
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_faces.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_faces.cc
index a6fa31f63f8a..989ed0f5734a 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_faces.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_faces.cc
@@ -33,8 +33,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename number>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_float.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_float.cc
index 5f3187e77ff6..3ecf8af20993 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_float.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_float.cc
@@ -25,9 +25,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_gl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_gl.cc
index a0789be80cf8..8fb9bf94f3b5 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_gl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_gl.cc
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_mappingq.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_mappingq.cc
index d5b1f58d1336..70d9aa284e03 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_mappingq.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_mappingq.cc
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife.cc
index 85c8bb2be77a..9aa9e51fadfe 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife.cc
@@ -44,8 +44,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 template <int dim,
           int fe_degree,
@@ -291,11 +289,8 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-  // need to set quite a loose tolerance because
-  // FEValues approximates Hessians with finite
-  // differences, which are not so accurate
-  deallog << std::setprecision(3);
+  initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(7);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife2.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife2.cc
index 4c86a2cfbaf6..92d1db93fc12 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife2.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_multife2.cc
@@ -46,8 +46,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 template <int dim,
           int fe_degree,
@@ -342,11 +340,8 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-  // need to set quite a loose tolerance because
-  // FEValues approximates Hessians with finite
-  // differences, which are not so accurate
-  deallog << std::setprecision(3);
+  initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(7);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_notempl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_notempl.cc
index 79366b6fa442..bd7b07686e07 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_notempl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_notempl.cc
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_q_hierarchical.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_q_hierarchical.cc
index 45607c899dd0..5bac8e7879e7 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_q_hierarchical.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_q_hierarchical.cc
@@ -30,8 +30,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_rect.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_rect.cc
index 54788316ce52..bf61846e93df 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_rect.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_rect.cc
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants.cc
index 24d9b4c69c67..2c6f45e29cf0 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants.cc
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename Number>
@@ -197,7 +196,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants_gl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants_gl.cc
index d5114ac630fc..db387ee071a5 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants_gl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_functions_variants_gl.cc
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename Number>
@@ -193,7 +192,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/get_values_plain.cc b/tests/matrix_free/get_values_plain.cc
index ca7eb3c5794e..58550ef4e804 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/get_values_plain.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/get_values_plain.cc
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
@@ -193,7 +192,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions.cc b/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions.cc
index 9c3614f7f01a..13544de025f7 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions.cc
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename Number>
@@ -230,7 +229,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife.cc b/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife.cc
index 9e8c8bcfad8a..cfab893c8627 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife.cc
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename Number>
@@ -355,7 +354,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife2.cc b/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife2.cc
index 7b7fa5850e1c..ed0e10c0b2ca 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife2.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/integrate_functions_multife2.cc
@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree, typename Number>
@@ -345,7 +344,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/jxw_values.cc b/tests/matrix_free/jxw_values.cc
index d11f5b6a2d2a..798bed121cd9 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/jxw_values.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/jxw_values.cc
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim>
@@ -102,7 +101,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   test<2>();
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_01.cc
index 6cdc926c43a1..9f836f819771 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_01.cc
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_02.cc
index f8306a9d527b..114b6e7ed1eb 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_02.cc
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_03.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_03.cc
index 08058c676642..94f381f85666 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_03.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_03.cc
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04.cc
index 00d06943bb28..449e40b7768f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04.cc
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04b.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04b.cc
index b219f519bc88..d74e7567bc48 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04b.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_04b.cc
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_05.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_05.cc
index c78548f77e3f..dcc2cff6a9bb 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_05.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_05.cc
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06.cc
index d381316b79b0..025be763ab19 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06.cc
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06_notempl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06_notempl.cc
index 6ab5467e5239..be92986aa889 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06_notempl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_06_notempl.cc
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_07.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_07.cc
index 6d7eb2bb87a0..c8ad6ab3250b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_07.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_07.cc
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_08.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_08.cc
index 7c273cf72ca9..4224727cdd09 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_08.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_08.cc
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_09.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_09.cc
index dcbcc89e1207..97723ab344b2 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_09.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_09.cc
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14.cc
index 56cf15c9780c..9e8be93d2c1f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14.cc
@@ -25,9 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14_notempl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14_notempl.cc
index 2eed9aebafc1..04b2442608ad 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14_notempl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14_notempl.cc
@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14b.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14b.cc
index 3ff403c92098..a60749f071bd 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14b.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_14b.cc
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_15.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_15.cc
index 213e048691ef..a667d6a97c7f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_15.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_15.cc
@@ -43,9 +43,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
-
 
 template <int dim,
           int fe_degree,
@@ -235,7 +232,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_16.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_16.cc
index af9037006ac4..c513563b7803 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_16.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_16.cc
@@ -43,9 +43,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
-
 
 template <int dim,
           int fe_degree,
@@ -235,7 +232,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_17.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_17.cc
index 2d856b12ff04..c7a5c44bd3da 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_17.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_17.cc
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_common.h b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_common.h
index 3cd9c801242f..ad7349153104 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_common.h
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_common.h
@@ -166,10 +166,7 @@ do_test(const DoFHandler<dim> &          dof,
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-  deallog.depth_console(0);
-
-  deallog << std::setprecision(3);
+  initlog();
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_curl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_curl.cc
index 72e2f9d2ff05..39d1a17e8ce7 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_curl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_curl.cc
@@ -21,10 +21,6 @@
 // vector-valued problem (curl-curl operator which does not really make a lot
 // of sense from a problem point of view, though).
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -52,6 +48,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 const double global_coefficient = 0.1;
 
 
@@ -283,8 +281,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_div.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_div.cc
index d1f9c00332ab..e9f95940c528 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_div.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_div.cc
@@ -21,10 +21,6 @@
 // vector-valued problem (div-div operator which does not really make a lot
 // of sense from a problem point of view, though).
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -52,6 +48,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
 const double global_coefficient = 0.1;
@@ -286,7 +284,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_01.cc
index 62ce23abc03a..57459a44bc05 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_01.cc
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_02.cc
index afa440fa8848..3259184f5943 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_02.cc
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_03.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_03.cc
index 2cb5f25c978c..e4c17e06962e 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_03.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_03.cc
@@ -28,9 +28,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_04.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_04.cc
index a383b6f4437f..9309d6c4ca25 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_04.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_04.cc
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_05.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_05.cc
index 3b1bfc0afc73..163f5a6aa80b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_05.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_05.cc
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_06.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_06.cc
index 34caad278869..22386d7cd4b6 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_06.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_06.cc
@@ -27,9 +27,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_07.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_07.cc
index 61f31924091e..9954c305a86f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_07.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_07.cc
@@ -29,9 +29,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_08.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_08.cc
index 5c8e6e342a03..857575f521f6 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_08.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_08.cc
@@ -29,9 +29,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_09.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_09.cc
index 4a0e94e7901f..32011a461582 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_09.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_09.cc
@@ -28,9 +28,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_10.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_10.cc
index c552852e3ef8..7fa725d6d040 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_10.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_10.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_11.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_11.cc
index e013de379025..c65a0a637ae8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_11.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_11.cc
@@ -33,9 +33,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_12.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_12.cc
index da16228eaea5..1f20bc99b75b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_12.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_12.cc
@@ -28,9 +28,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_13.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_13.cc
index 7d04f9fda9ee..c46c7827c1ef 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_13.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_13.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_14.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_14.cc
index 0f4fd5838bef..85d68c99cc8b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_14.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_14.cc
@@ -32,8 +32,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_15.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_15.cc
index 1e73d8ac0c56..fd2f766bb25f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_15.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_15.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_16.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_16.cc
index 870cf8458c61..2959b135eb8f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_16.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_16.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_17.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_17.cc
index 3fead3db4694..4e88917679bf 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_17.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_17.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_18.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_18.cc
index 6594d5bba716..aab380f9f51d 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_18.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_18.cc
@@ -30,8 +30,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_19.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_19.cc
index 8fa666132853..4f36f2379118 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_19.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_19.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_20.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_20.cc
index 3f08f63458e2..82806b6c1637 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_20.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_20.cc
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_21.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_21.cc
index 5784918a547a..7d1ed6a849d8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_21.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_21.cc
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_22.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_22.cc
index a9766e1282de..37d4206abe51 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_22.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_22.cc
@@ -33,8 +33,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_23.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_23.cc
index 0c82043594ec..e7e50f8db7c5 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_23.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_23.cc
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_24.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_24.cc
index be853f623923..2f66177d0760 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_24.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_24.cc
@@ -33,9 +33,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_25.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_25.cc
index e0007396e182..0869d6155749 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_25.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_25.cc
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_26.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_26.cc
index 64a2ceaa9a72..0fdfb205574b 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_26.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_26.cc
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_27.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_27.cc
index 360eea7b7420..f0e5fe7756d0 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_27.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_27.cc
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_28.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_28.cc
index 8cfe4fb36de7..365e77916415 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_28.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_faces_28.cc
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_float.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_float.cc
index 493236d482c8..19c06c213913 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_float.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_float.cc
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_hp.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_hp.cc
index bf53ef42bc00..113b364ee90f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_hp.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_hp.cc
@@ -20,15 +20,13 @@
 // matrix for hp DoFHandler on a hyperball mesh with hanging nodes and finite
 // elements orders distributed randomly.
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/function.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/hp/dof_handler.h>
 #include <deal.II/hp/fe_values.h>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_01.cc
index 9a89539ac7fe..fccad8f2eb8d 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_01.cc
@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@
 // matrix-based results in this case, this test simply checks that the
 // matrix-vector product runs without error
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -38,6 +34,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <deal.II/lac/affine_constraints.h>
 #include <deal.II/lac/vector.h>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "matrix_vector_mf.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_03.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_03.cc
index 7cd78ee84e62..7353d316196c 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_03.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_large_degree_03.cc
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@
 // have a constant-coefficient Laplacian, we can verify the implementation by
 // comparing to the result with 21 quadrature points.
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -36,6 +32,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <deal.II/lac/affine_constraints.h>
 #include <deal.II/lac/vector.h>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "matrix_vector_mf.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_mg.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_mg.cc
index f55fbd9ab79a..dc6c832f7687 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_mg.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_mg.cc
@@ -20,15 +20,13 @@
 // matrix for MG DoFHandler on a hyperball mesh with no hanging nodes but
 // homogeneous Dirichlet conditions
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/function.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/multigrid/mg_matrix.h>
 #include <deal.II/multigrid/mg_tools.h>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes.cc
index a450fae2d422..f11f8a78f091 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes.cc
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@
 // matrix. No hanging nodes and no other
 // constraints for a vector-valued problem (stokes equations).
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -51,6 +47,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
 
@@ -317,8 +315,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_flux.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_flux.cc
index 2c7cfe2ec638..05f492e1dba8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_flux.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_flux.cc
@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@
 // the Stokes equations. Like matrix_vector_stokes_onedof except for
 // different constraints
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/logstream.h>
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
@@ -56,6 +52,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <fstream>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 
 template <int dim, int degree_p, typename VectorType>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_noflux.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_noflux.cc
index 42fb68d9f32a..530f9e62de1f 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_noflux.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_noflux.cc
@@ -21,10 +21,6 @@
 // between the vector components in the form of no-normal flux constraints on
 // the Stokes equations.
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -53,6 +49,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 
 template <int dim, int degree_p, typename VectorType>
@@ -331,8 +329,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_notempl.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_notempl.cc
index 6b1280a69909..64eab7565cc7 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_notempl.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_notempl.cc
@@ -18,10 +18,6 @@
 // same as matrix_vector_stokes_noflux but no template parameter on the
 // polynomial degree
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -50,6 +46,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 
 template <int dim, typename VectorType>
@@ -327,8 +325,7 @@ test(const unsigned int fe_degree)
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_onedof.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_onedof.cc
index 9dc414bd5ac5..789096ebe9fb 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_onedof.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_onedof.cc
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@
 // putting all degrees of freedom into a single DoFHandler, where the
 // selection is done through FEEvaluation
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/logstream.h>
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
@@ -54,6 +50,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 
 template <int dim, int degree_p, typename VectorType>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0.cc
index 125491ab6d2a..54ba17b29667 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0.cc
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@
 // matrix. No hanging nodes and no other
 // constraints for a vector-valued problem (stokes equations).
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -52,6 +48,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
 
@@ -319,8 +317,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0b.cc b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0b.cc
index 1da5e8026c4c..17e48842d0f0 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0b.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0b.cc
@@ -21,10 +21,6 @@
 // problem (stokes equations). Same as matrix_vector_stokes_qdg0 but now
 // without the template on the degree of the element.
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -53,6 +49,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 #include <complex>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 
 
@@ -316,8 +314,7 @@ test(const unsigned int fe_degree)
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
-
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_periodic.cc b/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_periodic.cc
index a7c846b086ca..65000afebc80 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_periodic.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_periodic.cc
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_01.cc
index 28a01677a51b..5c550e8497d0 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_01.cc
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_02.cc
index 7ef8a167b12f..733a0b0b664d 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/multigrid_dg_sip_02.cc
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/no_index_initialize.cc b/tests/matrix_free/no_index_initialize.cc
index 599f531b0a72..2599d3930ef1 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/no_index_initialize.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/no_index_initialize.cc
@@ -18,11 +18,6 @@
 // check that FEEvaluation can be evaluated without indices initialized (and
 // throws an exception when trying to read/write from/to vectors)
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/utilities.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/dofs/dof_handler.h>
@@ -45,6 +40,8 @@ std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 
 // forward declare this function
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
@@ -173,7 +170,7 @@ int
 main()
 {
   deal_II_exceptions::disable_abort_on_exception();
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
 
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
   test<2, 1>();
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid.cc
index 186f91bca6d2..a151604ac692 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid.cc
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
@@ -456,12 +455,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_02.cc
index 9c7dc363e787..1306acac3c20 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_02.cc
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 
 
 template <typename MatrixType, typename Number>
@@ -276,12 +274,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_01.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_01.cc
index 554b5ab6c0e8..ece9bf6a0810 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_01.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_01.cc
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim,
@@ -654,12 +653,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_02.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_02.cc
index 3f4135055d67..9039dbb84ef6 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_02.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_02.cc
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 using namespace dealii::MatrixFreeOperators;
 
@@ -349,12 +348,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_04.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_04.cc
index 94b2fce21e1c..717f263723d8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_04.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_04.cc
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 using namespace dealii::MatrixFreeOperators;
 
@@ -348,11 +347,8 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
 
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06.cc
index 589fbf310cfd..d1b7dd266983 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06.cc
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 using namespace dealii::MatrixFreeOperators;
 
@@ -427,12 +426,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06ref.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06ref.cc
index 319fc1ab9606..438c9b5bd2db 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06ref.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_06ref.cc
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 using namespace dealii::MatrixFreeOperators;
 
@@ -336,12 +335,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   {
     deallog.push("2d");
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_07.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_07.cc
index e6fc902cea12..600585724fb5 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_07.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_07.cc
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 using namespace dealii::MatrixFreeOperators;
 
@@ -470,12 +469,8 @@ int
 main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
   Utilities::MPI::MPI_InitFinalize mpi_init(argc, argv, 1);
-
-  if (Utilities::MPI::this_mpi_process(MPI_COMM_WORLD) == 0)
-    {
-      deallog.attach(logfile);
-      deallog << std::setprecision(4);
-    }
+  mpi_initlog();
+  deallog << std::setprecision(4);
 
   // 2 blocks
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_08.cc b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_08.cc
index e90872503e54..c193161501c8 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_08.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/parallel_multigrid_adaptive_08.cc
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 using namespace dealii::MatrixFreeOperators;
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/quadrature_points.cc b/tests/matrix_free/quadrature_points.cc
index 436accd1d85b..4a318de8ac8a 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/quadrature_points.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/quadrature_points.cc
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim, int fe_degree>
@@ -116,7 +115,7 @@ test()
 int
 main()
 {
-  deallog.attach(logfile);
+  initlog();
   deallog << std::setprecision(3);
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/shape_info.cc b/tests/matrix_free/shape_info.cc
index 3a2fffcfec8d..d31224586173 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/shape_info.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/shape_info.cc
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/shape_info_inverse.cc b/tests/matrix_free/shape_info_inverse.cc
index be98ff8a3a20..0a2c2096a575 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/shape_info_inverse.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/shape_info_inverse.cc
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
 
 
 template <int dim>
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness.cc b/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness.cc
index dd0adce30bf0..4d9f6681d653 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness.cc
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_dg.cc b/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_dg.cc
index 5ac0b94f247b..10380858e48a 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_dg.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_dg.cc
@@ -25,9 +25,6 @@
 #include "../tests.h"
 
 #include "create_mesh.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "matrix_vector_faces_common.h"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_hp.cc b/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_hp.cc
index 90ded7ed5a6d..c569864450c4 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_hp.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/thread_correctness_hp.cc
@@ -19,16 +19,14 @@
 // matrix free matrix-vector products for hp elements by comparing to the
 // serial version
 
-#include "../tests.h"
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include <deal.II/base/function.h>
 #include <deal.II/base/template_constraints.h>
 
 #include <deal.II/hp/dof_handler.h>
 #include <deal.II/hp/fe_values.h>
 
+#include "../tests.h"
+
 #include "create_mesh.h"
 #include "matrix_vector_common.h"
 
diff --git a/tests/matrix_free/update_mapping_only.cc b/tests/matrix_free/update_mapping_only.cc
index 364064a4e184..874bdcb3413a 100644
--- a/tests/matrix_free/update_mapping_only.cc
+++ b/tests/matrix_free/update_mapping_only.cc
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "../tests.h"
 
-
-std::ofstream logfile("output");
-
 #include "get_functions_common.h"