Fireplace Tool Sets - Beauty and Function

With the rising popularity of gas fireplaces, the wood fireplace and the fireplace tools necessary to keep it running smoothly are slowly becoming an afterthought, if they’re even thought of at all!

This is somewhat understandable as there are quite a few tools that aren’t used very much, such as the brush and ash pan, because modern conveniences such as dust busters and vacuums have made them all but obsolete. Some tools, such as damper hooks and log racks, are nice conveniences to have but not necessarily important to function, as you already have to wait until the fire is out to close the damper anyway and you can always store logs in the garage or a covered area outside.

Other tools, such as the poker and tongs, are still very practical and remain the safest way to maintain a burning fire. After all, you want to avoid putting your hands too close to the fire.

What tools you choose to use are purely up to you, and you’ll probably be surprised to learn just how many choices there are. If you’re feeling particularly Spartan, choose no tools – but if you don’t mind the clutter, pick up one of each known to man. They come in a variety of styles and materials, so it shouldn’t be a problem to match them to your decor.

Additionally, you can get the tools in a variety of sizes. Longer tools are nice because you won’t have to lean over or reach as far to work the fire, but they can also be more awkward for storage when not in use. A taller mantle, or a large hearth, will make the presence of the longer tools not so obvious; so you should think about matching the length of the tools to the size of the fireplace.