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February 3, 2010
You have the fireplace you’ve always dreamed of – a hearth where your family gathers for relaxation and warmth. Now all you need is quality and attractive fireplace accessories to complete the picture. Search out these functional accents with the overall scene in mind.
If you own a wood burning stove, your fireplace will not function safely and efficiently without some well chosen fireplace accessories. A fireplace screen is essential to protect your flooring from sparks and ash and to fence off the opening from wandering children and pets. Be sure to choose something large enough and sturdy enough for your family’s needs. Look for a screen that suits the style of décor in your room – from fancy to simple, any style is available.
You will also need a place to store logs and kindling. Often a bin is sufficient, but make sure it is sturdy with a wide bottom to prevent tipping and mess. Look for one with a handle for easy transporting. A shelf or log holder can also be used and is usually more elaborate and decorative. Some have a suede or leather bottom hanging on an iron or brass frame, holding the logs easily and providing some style on the hearth. Make sure that the log holder is large enough for a few lightings but not so large that the wood will sit inside too long.
Look for some tools to use for cleaning and maintenance. A brush for the hearth is essential, with a comfortable, long handle and bristles that can pick up a fair amount of ash. Also a flat shovel is useful for scooping up ash and a lidded bucket or bin will be necessary for carrying it away. Use your bin to transport the fireplace ash into your garden as compost. Bellows are another tool that should be kept handy when burning wood.
Many fireplace accessories are made for safety and maintenance, but can still add style and a finished look. Try to purchase each piece with the whole picture in mind – some accessories even come in matching or coordinating sets. Things like fan kits and damper pulls may come with your fireplace and can be used to coordinate other pieces.
Gas fireplaces often have less accessories due to their burning technology. Still, mantels, hearth rugs and even decorative screens can be found around gas fireplaces, lending a certain atmosphere to the setting. Consider the overall look you want to convey and find fireplace accessories that suit that look. You will be much more content enjoying your fire with all of the functional accents in place around it.
February 1, 2010
If you are looking for a variety of styles and the latest design options, Pilgrim Hearth fireplace accessories is the place to start your search. This trusted manufacturer has provided quality fireplace accessories for generations.
Fireplace screens at Pilgrim Hearth offer models to suit any buyer. Single panel straight screens are sleek and simple to suit the most contemporary décor. Traditional three panel screens provide safety for wood burning fireplaces and prevent embers from shooting sparks onto the floor or carpeting by enclosing the full width of the fireplace opening. The same is true of ultra-safe spark guard fireplace screens that not only enclose the width of your wood burning fireplace but also have a section at the top which meets the facing at the top of the firebox opening. A curved screen offered includes fireplace tools that mount directly on the sides of the screen when not in use.
Modern tool accessory sets feature tools stored in a straight line on a tool stand rather than grouped around the stand as traditionally found. Small sturdy log racks hold enough firewood for two or three firelit evenings with fireplace tools attached to the stand as a set.
Traditional fireplace tool sets can be found with circular stands or of rectangular design with tools featuring bright brass, steel or matte black handles. If you have a tool stand in good condition yet your tools are rusted or old, you can purchase individual tools without stands and even hooks you can use to mount your tools directly on the brick wall of your fireplace.
In addition to the larger wood racks, Pilgrim offers small wood holders. One of the most useful perhaps is the steel holder with a detachable canvas sling. The sling is easily removed from the stand and can be loaded with logs outdoors and then mounted back on the stand by sliding the canvas sling’s handles over the ends of the stand.
Old fashioned bellows are available from the Pilgrim Hearth accessories catalog. Though seldom seen on modern fireplace hearths, the bellows are one of the best fire starting tools available. Bellows at reasonable prices can be difficult to locate today. Pilgrim Hearth offers several decorative designs that not only look great hanging next to your fireplace but work exceedingly well, too.
No fireplace accessory is left out. Hearth gloves, andirons and grates are other Pilgrim Hearth fireplace accessories available to consumers. This is one stop shopping for your fireplace needs.
Fireplace Village carries the entire Pilgrim fireplace accessories line including tool sets, fireplace screens and wood racks. Stop by one of our New Hampshire locations or buy fireplace tools and accessories online.
If your new home has a fireplace, finding the right fireplace tool set will ensure countless winter evenings spent comfortably and safely in front of a roaring fire. Buying fireplace tools may seem like a simple task until you realize the wide variation in styles, finishes and quality offered by various manufacturers.
A standard fireplace tool set includes a shovel, a poker, large tongs and a stiff bristled broom. You can purchase the tools separately but in sets your also receive a stand that stores the tools when not in use. Most stands allow the tools to hang which keeps them out of the way and provides a neater appearance than loose tools leaning against the hearth.
The poker is the most used tool for wood burning fireplaces. It has a small reverse hook a few inches from the bottom end to allow burning logs to be push or pulled into better position in the fire. Large tongs can be unwieldy but are designed to firmly lift a burning log and move it to another location in the fire. Better tongs have three points of contact rather than two and provide better balance and grip when moving burning logs in the fireplace.
The most helpful fireplace tool is the shovel. Wood fireplaces need frequent cleaning unless designed with an ash pit where ash can be removed from outside the home. Although vacuuming may seem to be an easy way to remove ash it doesn’t work except on vacuums designed to be used in such a way. The fine ash escapes the filters of traditional vacuums and can be blown as a dust throughout the room rather than being trapped in the vacuum bag. Ash vacuums are now available that work well with warm and cool ash.
The shovel is used to remove the largest portions of the ash along with charred pieces of wood left in the fire pit. Once the majority of the ash has been shoveled into a bag or bucket, the broom is used to gather the ashes left by sweeping it onto the shovel for disposal.
For frequent fireplace use, a large shovel is a wise choice when finding the right fireplace tool set. You might also consider adding an ash bucket with a lid to hold ash until disposal. Metal ash buckets with lids are the safest choice.
Fireplace tool sets can be found for as little as $19.95 and run well over $100 for high quality sets. The quality is in the size (length) of the tools, the weight (strength) of the metal tools are made of, the comfort and strength of the handles attached to the tools and the metal finish applied.
Most fireplace sets sold today are machine made but you can also find handmade wrought iron tools that are highly decorative. Most tools are constructed of steel yet finishes applied may include leaf and scroll designs and have hand grips and tool stands that feature brass or copper accents. Finding the best fireplace tool set is a fun challenge because the variety of style, size and pricing offers something for every taste and budget.
January 31, 2010
Having a fireplace tool set is important. There are 5 essential parts to every fireplace tool set. They include; a poker, dust pan, broom, shovel and tongs. Each of these pieces serve a different purpose and are important for the cleanliness and esthetics of your fireplace and surrounding area.
1. Poker
The poker is an essential tool because it allows you to move the pieces of wood around without having to touch the fire or get too close. It will allow you to spin the wood around and reposition it. If you do not move the wood around the flames will begin to decrease and the fire will lose intensity. Fireplace pokers come in different finishes and styles and choosing one that suits your needs and décor will allow you to customize your fireplace tool set.
2. Dust Pan
A dust pan will allow you to keep the fireplace hearth and surrounding area clean and ash free. If you are looking at the esthetics of your fireplace it is important to keep a dust pan on hand that can be used to clean up any dust and debris that has been left from the fire. Look for one that has a long handle that will allow you to reach into the fireplace without having to get yourself full of the dirt you are trying to clean up. Most fireplace tool sets come with a dust pan included so matching the style and finish will be easy.
3. Broom
Like a dust pan, a broom is essential for cleaning the fireplace and surround. The hearth will need to be swept often and having a small broom will allow you to clean-up the tiny dust particles and ashes. Look for a broom that can withstand heat and has bristles that are tough. The stronger the bristles the longer the broom will last. The broom is a piece that will more than likely come with an entire set of fireplace tools but if you are looking to purchase them separately find one that works well for your intended purpose that will last.
4. Shovel
Having a shovel as part of your fireplace tool set is important. The ash shovel will allow you to tend to the fire and to move the ashes from the fireplace to a trash bin or bucket. Choose a shovel that is compact with a long handle. The handle will allow you to reach farther back into the fireplace to reach any ashes that are otherwise out of reach.
5. Tongs
Tongs will allow you to pick up the firewood and position it exactly where you need it. The tongs are essential as they are made of a heavy grade material so that they will withstand the heat of the fire and can be used with ease to maneuver the large pieces of firewood into place.
There are five pieces that are essential to any fireplace tool set. They include; poker, dust pan, broom, shovel and tongs. There are many options for style, texture and material when choosing a fireplace tool set. Make sure that you find one that is suitable for your needs that will withstand heat and last for years to come. Fireplace tool sets can also be used with wood burning stoves.
Fireplace Village sells many different styles and sizes of fireplace tools and accessories. We also carry a wide selection of wood stove tool and accessories. Buy fireplace accessories online or visit one of our New Hampshire fireplace and wood stove accessories stores.
January 28, 2010
No wood burning fireplace is complete without a good quality fireplace tool set. A traditional fireplace tool set includes 5 pieces, a broom, a shovel, tongs, a poker and a stand. There are many styles and variations of tool sets to fit any décor.
For smaller spaces, such as apartments and condos, multi-use tool sets are available. Many companies are now making kindling holders with attached tool sets. These provide a compact solution to a lack of storage space for logs.
While many fireplace tool sets do not come with a bellow, they are a must have for any wood burning fireplace. A bellow is a great way to breath new life into a hard to start, or dying fire.
Fireplace Village is the largest fireplace accessories dealer in New Hampshire and New England. Buy fireplace tools at one of our New Hampshire locations or shop fireplace and wood stove accessories online.
January 8, 2010
Fireplace Village is not only a retailer of gas, wood and pellet burning fireplaces and fire place inserts, but also offers a wide variety of fireplace accessories for all types of fireplaces.
Gas burning fireplaces are known for their ease of use, efficiency and minimal cleanup. Their ease of use is highlighted by the accessory options. One great way of regulating heat and flame high, or of turning the fire on or off, is a wireless thermostat. One great model is the Skytech Wireless Wall Unit, which allows you to control the intensity of the flame from anywhere in the room. Another gas fireplace accessory from Skytech is a remote control which can regulate the flame from ‘Off’ to ‘High.’
Gas burning fireplaces can also be updated by using Real Fyre Super Ember Glow or realistic looking coal to surround the base of your log set. These fireplace accessories change the look of your gas burning fireplace and give the appearance of red glowing embers below your gas logs. In addition to embers, Real Fyre also makes ceramic wood chips and pinecones, all giving a more realistic wood burning look to your gas fireplace.
Gas burning fireplaces are not the only type of fireplace that comes with the option for great fireplace accessories. Wood burning fireplaces can be updated with a few simple accessories. Fireplace screens and doors can dramatically change the look of an existing wood burning fireplace. Fireplace screens can be attached to the hearth or sit freestanding on the floor. The look and feel of these can range from contemporary to traditional, and can often times have a lot of decorative elements to match the décor of the room. Fireplace doors are easy to clean with soap and water, and work as a seal to stop warm air from escaping up the chimney when the fireplace is not in use. Fireplace or hearth rugs can add color and style to your fireplace while providing protection for the flooring in front of your wood burning fireplace.
Another necessary wood burning fireplace accessory is a tool set. These can be freestanding or wall mounted, and usually includes such tools as a poker, brush, tongs, ash shovel and stand. They can also be matched to the décor of the room, and usually come in a metal finish such as cast iron, gold or silver. A tool set is a great fireplace accessory to give as a gift to any homeowner who is looking to update the look of their fireplace. Wood holders are also a necessity and can often times be attached to a great tool kit.
Fireplace Village is proud to offer all of these fireplace accessories and more at our various locations in New Hampshire, or shop for fireplace accessories online.
November 23, 2009
Fireplace and wood stove accessories are the perfect gift for any fire place owner.
The easiest way to update a tired, old looking fireplace or wood stove is to give it a facelift with a new fireplace screen. Free standing screens not only protect children and animals from the fire, they are also an easy, inexpensive way to change the look of your fireplace. We love the new line from Portland Willamette.
Updating the look of a gas log fireplace is easy with Décor Packs from RH Peterson. Their Décor Pack 2 includes realistic looking pinecones and pieces of wood to transform the look of any gas fireplace.
Another great way to inexpensively upgrade your fireplace or wood stove is to replace your tool set. Fireplace Village stocks a broad selection of fireplace and wood stove tool sets. We are the largest fireplace tool set retailer in New Hampshire and New England. We also sell all of our wood stove and fireplace tool sets online. Free Shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.
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