Fireplace Mega Deals

If you want to get the maximum pleasure and practical use from your fire there are several must-have fireside accessories that are probably essential to enhance your fireplace. These are fireplace companion sets, coal buckets and hods, bellows, fire guards, fenders, decorative screens, match holders, damper pulls, log baskets, log racks and toasting forks.

Companion sets are one of the most popular of all fireside accessories, since they combine so many useful fireplace tools into one piece of kit that all hang on a neat stand.  Normally in brass, chrome or cast iron these tools include a brush, shovel, tongs and a poker.  The brush and shovel keep the fireside clean and tidy while the tongs and poker are used to push and move pieces of coal or wood around. 

Coal buckets and coal hods can be hand crafted Victorian reproductions or modern edge designs that are for practical use or to simply add a decorative finishing touch to your fireplace setting. They are almost always made from metal, usually iron, brass or copper and their purpose has always been to store and carry coal or solid fuel. Traditionally, coal buckets were designed with a curved beak to allow coal to be poured easily onto the fire. These days however with many being bought purely for decorative purposes, designs have changed and become more artistic, with little details and ornate patterns to make the buckets more interesting.

Bellows which have been around in some form or another since time immemorial are normally made in an attractive dark or light wood with a polished brass nozzle and studding and while designed for everyday use to stir life into a reluctant flame they are equally suitable as a fireside ornament.

Fire guards do a very important job; they are used to stop spitting wood and coal escaping from the hearth and causing fires, as well as protecting young children from the dangers of an open fire.  Made from sheets of metal to slightly cool the direct heat, a fire screen makes it much safer to leave an open fire unattended so fire screens should always be on the top of your shopping list.

While fireplace fenders do a great job of giving a neat and defined edging to a hearth they also act as an effective barrier to stop ash and wood debris falling from the hearth onto the floor or carpet. Fenders are usually available in brass, chrome, stainless steel or cast iron and can often be custom made to your required size and finish; some of the more expensive ones even incorporate a padded fender bench.

Decorative fire screens add a great deal of charm and beauty to the modern home. Basically they are decorative shields available in brass, pewter, copper, glass, iron, and chrome that can be placed in front of a fireplace opening to protect the room from open flames and flying embers that may be emitted by the fire. However in the summer months fire screens are also used to cover the fireplace when nothing is burning inside it; a beautiful firescreen makes what could be a boring hole in the wall look much more decorative.

Fireplace match holders are both practical and convenient and save the frustration of having to search for matches each time you wish to build a fire. They can be made from a variety of materials including wrought iron, brass, oak, and copper and come in a wide range of styles and prices from simple to ornate.

Damper pulls are one of the oldest and most commonly used of all fireplace tools and often made of brass. They are used to open and close a fireplace damper and are usually about a foot in length and have a hook on the end. The hook is what is used to easily open and close the damper. When your fireplace is not in use, the damper pull can be hung from the wall, mantle, or a fireplace stand.

Log baskets are another essential fireside accessory, if you are going to be able to feed a voracious fire that eats a pile or two of logs a day. Not only are these strong wicker baskets ideal to carry logs to the fireplace they are perfect for storing a quantity of logs next to the fire as are log racks, which are available in cast iron or steel.

Finally toasting forks conjure up memories or day dreams of toasting muffins, crumpets or toast over a dancing flames in the depth of winter, when snow and hard frosts outside make the delights of a live fire all the more appealing.

Remember when planning a room that the right fireplace accessories can make your fireplace look even more appealing and make attending a fire a more pleasant experience, and almost effortless. The easier it is to start a fire and maintain your fireplace, the more likely you are to enjoy the warmth and comfort a fireplace has to offer your home.