What could be more comfortable than evening gatherings near a crackling hearth? The fireplace is not only a means of heating the room, but also a bright element of decor that will add charm and sophistication to the room. However, special tools are required for the safe operation and maintenance of the fireplace. The purpose and types of accessories for fireplaces are described in detail in the article.
Main and auxiliary accessories
Key accessories include accessories for maintaining the fire and cleaning the fireplace: a poker, tongs, a shovel and a whisk. Without them, using the fireplace is difficult and unsafe. In specialized stores, you can often find sets of basic accessories made in a single stylistic solution. Auxiliary accessories for the fireplace facilitate the operation of the hearth, help maintain order and are stylish interior items. Such accessories include a firewood rack and a servitor.
Steel and bronze are used to make hearth accessories. There are also models made of cast iron, but they are distinguished by their high weight and fragility. Forged fireplace accessories look especially elegant. Let's take a closer look at each tool.
Poker and tongs
The poker is a rod with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm, a length of 0.5-0.7 meters and a curved end, the so-called beak. Due to the different lengths of the models, you can choose a tool based on the height of the owner. The poker is designed for turning and breaking coals, it is also convenient for it to remove fuel stuck in the grate. The poker handle can be made of metal, wood, heat-resistant ceramics. A loop is provided for the convenience of hanging the poker on the serviter. In premium models, there are ivory overlays. The most convenient were recognized as round handles. Products decorated with decorative elements of artistic forging look very impressive.
Tongs - an accessory for the fireplace and stoves, designed to correct the logs in the hearth and grab the coals. Forceps are made in the form of tweezers or scissors. The latter option has round handles or rings for ease of use. Forceps in the form of tweezers - a classic model based on a flexible plate. There are products with or without handles.
Scoop and whisk
A scoop is a necessary tool for cleaning the fireplace from the ashes. It must have a solid working part made of steel so that it does not melt from hot coals. Scoop handle must be at least 40 cm.
Broom for the fireplacemade of horse hair or metal wire. The length of the pile varies between 12-18 cm. Despite the fact that panicles made of natural pile are more expensive, they should be preferred over synthetic counterparts. Such a whisk will not melt if it becomes necessary to sweep up hot coals that have fallen from the fireplace.
Grates
Grates - an accessory for fireplaces and stoves, designed to improve air circulation and, accordingly, traction. It is a cast-iron grate on a stand or legs, on which firewood is laid directly in the hearth. As a result, air access improves and the fuel burns evenly and completely. Grid-irons are made of thick cast iron or forged steel. Some grate models are supplemented with an ash pan, a special box at the bottom of the structure for collecting ash. Such an element greatly simplifies the process of cleaning the hearth. To increase the heat transfer of the fireplace, the grate is equipped with a back wall made of a thick sheet of metal or “cores”. These elements carry not only a functional load, but are also a spectacular decor.
Fireplace bellows and fan
Mechs are designed to inflate the coals in the fireplace and keep the fire fading. The device consists of 2 pear-shaped wooden planks and a leather bag between them. In front of the fireplace accessory there is a hollow tube made of bronze or steel, and in the opposite part there is a valve. When the fur is opened, a vacuum is created inside the leather bag, the valve opens and allows air to enter. When compressed, the pressure in the bag increases and air escapes in a thin stream from the tube at the front of the device. To bring the fireplace bellows into operation, a force of approximately 2 kg is required. This is quite enough to fan the flame, but not to allow sparks and ashes to spill out of the hearth. Fur sizes can vary greatly. In the past, they were used in forges to fan the fire in the forges, and they were truly huge. For a home fireplace, a small fixture 45-90 cm in diameter is quite enough. Wooden planks of fireplace bellows are often decorated with carvings, metal and enamel inlays, drawings, and even precious stones. Fireplace bellows from famous manufacturers are truly a work of art that will decorate any interior.
There are three types of fireplace fan and solve different problems. This device can be used, like fireplace bellows, to “feed” the flame with oxygen. The second method involves the use of this fireplace accessory in order to improve draft and remove combustion products from the chimney. Such a fan is installed in the upper part of the chimney, which somewhat complicates the preventive cleaning of the latter. The third use case is to improve the distribution of hot air and heating other rooms with a fireplace if this is provided for by the design. All types of fans require an electrical connection, so it is better to provide for wiring in advance.
Fireplace screen
Screen - an accessory for the fireplace,protecting the room from accidental loss of logs, coals and sparks from the hearth. By design, screens are built-in and free-standing. Built-in models can be made in the form of doors or a cast structure that covers the lower part of the fireplace. They are made in the form of gratings from cast iron or forged steel. Such products look very elegant.
In free-standing screens, the scope of design ideas expands. The forged structure is complemented by a fine-mesh metal mesh. Such an accessory for the fireplace will protect the room from accidental sparks and evenly distribute heat from the hearth. Models of screens made of heat-resistant glass are quite popular. They distribute heat worse, but scatter light well. There are transparent and matte screens. The least popular and safest option is fabric screens. Textiles are impregnated with a special composition that protects against fire, but this is a very weak protection against a fire that accidentally rolled out of the portal.
Fireplace screen - not only has a protective function, but is also a stylish element of decor that will decorate any interior. A photo of the fireplace accessory is shown below.
Drovnitsa
As the name suggests, a firewood rack is a device for storing firewood. Comfortable use of the fireplace involves having a supply of firewood on hand to eliminate the need to go out to the barn or outside every time. However, a pile of logs on the floor creates a lot of inconvenience in the form of garbage. Therefore, forat home it is more convenient to use a woodpile. In addition, the fuel in it will always be dry, which is important. There are stationary and mobile firewood. Stationary models are larger and hold more fuel. They are made of wood, forged steel, cast iron. Portable firewood racks are more practical. They are convenient to bring firewood from the street. There are many options for execution: from metal, wood, vines, fabrics, knitted, leather, plastic. There are firewood racks in the form of a cart with wheels, a bucket, a basket, a bag, a box. It is easy to make such a decorative accessory for a fireplace with your own hands. When choosing a specific model, pay attention to the bottom. Firewood racks with a slatted bottom look very elegant, but dust and particles of bark can wake up through the cells. Forged metal models will become a real highlight of the interior. Accessories and accessories for the fireplace made in the same style look especially impressive.
Server
Serviter - a special stand for storing basic accessories: poker, tongs, scoop and panicles. Tools simply folded near the hearth do not look very aesthetically pleasing, so they use a special stand or hanger for them. The servitor usually comes with basic accessories and is made in the same design and material. Serviters are popular in the form of various types of racks: from simple models to elegant art forging products. Stands in the form of full knightly armor look especially original.
Comfortable and safe use of the fireplace is impossible without the use of special accessories. However, fireplace accessories carry not only a functional load, but also an aesthetic one. Exquisitely crafted accessories organically complement the hearth, give the room a touch of sophistication and charm. The main accessories are made of forged steel or bronze. They must be durable and resistant to high temperatures. These include a poker, tongs, a scoop and a whisk. It is convenient to store them in the server. A fireplace screen will help protect the room from sparks, and furs and a fan will help inflate the fading flame. A firewood rack for a fireplace will become a functional and stylish addition. It will keep the fuel dry and add zest to the interior.
