If you have ever tended to a wood-burning fire, you are probably familiar with the action of poking and pushing the logs to get a dying fire glowing brightly again. Whereas a long stick may get the job done for a small campfire, it is better to have a set of tools on hand for your convince. 

A set of metal tools are much safer for adjusting and tending to the fire compared to a wooden stick, especially when the fire is inside your home. And, in the worst-case scenario, a burning log rolls out of the fireplace into your home, it is better to have a set of tongs to safely retrieve the log on hand, rather than wasting precious time scrambling to find something fireproof to gather up the log.

The Tools

There is a decent list of various tools you can purchase. You can also get sets of fireplace tools that typically come in three or four-piece sets (more on these later.) Below are the descriptions of some tools you may want to consider getting. 

Poker – The poker, as the name suggests allows you to poke the burning logs. This is a long thin stick with a looped hook on one end to hang on the wall and the other end with a right-angle hook, making it more convenient to hook onto the end of burning logs big and small and to move logs to the perfect spot in the fire pit.

Tongs – Fireplace tongs are made to open and close for easy grabbing of logs. They traditionally also have a loop on one end to hang when they are not in use. There are a couple of different types of tongs. Some come with three skinny prongs, two on one side, and one on the other, to balance the long as your grab it. Others, like the scissor tongs, have only two prongs, but they are a bit wider and flatter. If your fireplace is extra-large or deep, it would be worth looking into extra-long log tongs. 

Ash Brush and Shovel – The ash brush and shovel, can often be purchased separately or together, but are almost always used together. They function as a dustpan and allow you to sweep up excess ash from after your fire to be disposed of. This is another tool that comes in different sizes, and you will want to check the length of the product against the length of your fireplace before you buy. 

Hooks – Hooks are a convenient way to store all your fireplace tools. Almost all fireplace tools come with some sort of loop or hook on their end. This is for easy storage. Hooks can come as a wall attachment, shaped much like a key ring holder for your wall. Or you can get a hook stand, that is free-standing and you can place next to your hearth. 

Damper pull – Damper pulls come in a variety of lengths, and handle styles. This tool is not in the typical fireplace tool kit, and for easy opening of the damper before your fire, and closing the damper to keep drafts out when the fire is not in use, it is a useful tool to own. 

Ember Extractor – An ember extractor is used in tandem with a wood-burning stove. It is a long flat plate with holes that helps gather ashes and move them to the center of the stove. It has holes because it can also be used to sift through old ashes to collect larger chunks of charcoal to be used in the next fire. 

Styles

A three-piece fireplace tool set will come with a poker, a shovel, and an ash brush.

A fourth-piece fireplace tool set will typically come with a poker, a shovel, an ash brush, and a set of tongs. 

These fireplace tool sets come in a wide range of styles both contemporary and antique, not to mention the various finishes available. The hooks on the toolsets will be the biggest difference between the look of the various sets. 

Usually, the toolsets come with a free-standing stand to store all the tools when not in use. The stand could be a long pole with hooks surrounding it, making your tool kit compact in a cylindrical area. Or the toolset can be on a mini rack with all the tools hanging in a row. Some bigger tool sets will also include a rack to place firewood and kindling. 

The Finishes

Finally, the last step in choosing the perfect set of fireplace tools for your home is the finish. There is no shortage of different styles and finish coatings for your fireplace toolsets. Keep in mind the more unique of a set you purchase, the harder it will be to find a match if you decide to purchase extra tools. 

• Black fireplace tools
• Brass fireplace tools
• Bronze fireplace tools
• Copper fireplace tools
• Stainless steel fireplace tools
• Pewter fireplace tools
• Chrome fireplace tools
• Silver fireplace tools
• Nickel fireplace tools
• Iron fireplace tools

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Fireplace Deals’ inventory has dozens of design options for your perfect installation—whether you’re focused on a more efficient burn or having the most inviting centerpiece for your next family get-together. Browse our selection to learn more. Or check out the rest of our Learning Center for more Homeowner Resources. and if you have any further questions call 866-848-3473 or send us an email.

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