If your fireplace does not have glass doors, you will need a screen. This will keep everything flammable in the fireplace, and prevent any hazardous embers from escaping. Even if you do have glass doors on your fireplace, you may still want a screen so you can leave the doors open. A screen allows more direct heat to enter the room.
A tool set may seem obvious, but it’s what is in the tool set that matters. A broom, shovel, poker, and tongs make up a standard fireplace tool set. If you don’t regularly use your fireplace, your tool set is likely more for fashion than function. However, if you like to have a roaring fire on as many nights as possible, you will need a larger broom and shovel to clean up the ashes before the next night’s blaze. You also want to be sure your tongs and poker are durable enough to actually do what they’re intended to do, which is move the wood around while the fire is going.
When it comes to cleaning out your fireplace, you have four options:
Just like with the ash bucket, if it’s cold enough for a fire, you want to minimize how often you go outdoors. The best way to do this is by having more wood at the ready to keep your fire burning. In south Louisiana, the wood holder serves a dual purpose. Since we tend to have incredibly wet winters, the wood holder serves as a place for your wood to dry before being burned.
The grate and the andiron do their job by holding the logs in place while the fire is burning. The last thing you want is for a log shift or roll forward while aflame. Grates and andirons also help keep your fire properly ventilated, allowing oxygen to fuel it.
Bellows may seem like nothing more than a rustic decoration, but handheld bellows actually serve a significant purpose. Fires need oxygen to burn, and when starting a fire, they may need a little help being fed that oxygen. Handheld bellows provide that boost.
Our South Louisiana weather doesn’t offer a long season for us to use our fireplaces, so when the temperature does drop, we want to make sure we get to use it. With these fireplace accessories, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying the warm, relaxing glow of a fire every winter. If you have any questions about which accessories are right for your fireplace, please call our team at Casual Creations, and we’ll be happy to help.