What could be more comfortable than evening gatherings near a crackling hearth? The fireplace is not only a means for heating the room, but also a bright element of decor that will add charm and sophistication to the room. However, for the safe operation and maintenance of the fireplace requires special devices. The purpose and types of accessories for fireplaces are described in detail in the article.
Main and auxiliary accessories
The main accessories include accessories for maintaining fire and cleaning the fireplace: poker, tongs, scoop and whisk. Without them, using a fireplace is difficult and unsafe. In specialized stores, you can often find sets of basic accessories made in a single stylistic solution. Auxiliary fireplace accessories facilitate the operation of the fireplace, help maintain order and are stylish interior items. Such accessories include a woodcutter and a servitor.
For the manufacture of accessories for the hearth, steel and bronze are used. There are models made of cast iron, however, they are distinguished by great weight and fragility. Forged fireplace accessories look especially elegant. Consider each tool in more detail.
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 growth of the owner. The poker is designed for tedding and breaking coal, it is also convenient for her to remove fuel stuck in the grate. The handle of the poker can be made of metal, wood, heat-resistant ceramics. For the convenience of hanging the poker on the server, a loop is provided. In premium models, there are ivory linings. The most comfortable were round handles. Products decorated with decorative forging elements look very impressive.
Nippers - an accessory for a fireplace and stoves, designed to correct logs in the hearth and capture coals. The 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
Scoop - a necessary tool for cleaning the fireplace from ash. It should have a solid working part of steel, so as not to melt from hot coals. The handle of the scoop should be at least 40 cm.
A whisk for a fireplace is made of horsehair 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 analogues. Such a panicle will not melt if it becomes necessary to sweep the hot coals that have fallen from the fireplace.
Grate
Grids - 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 is improved and fuel burns out 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 drawer 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 also are a spectacular decor.
Fireplace bellows and fan
The bellows are designed to inflate the coals in the fireplace and maintain the dying fire. The device consists of 2 wooden pear-shaped 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 there is a valve. When the fur is opened, a vacuum is created inside the leather bag, the valve opens and gives air access. When compressed in the bag, pressure increases and air with a thin stream breaks out of the tube in front of the device. To bring chimney bellows into operation, a force of approximately 2 kg is required. This is quite enough to fan the flame, but to prevent sparks and ash from spilling out of the hearth. The size of the bellows can vary greatly. In the past, they were used in forges to fan fire in forges, and they were truly enormous in size. For a home fireplace, a small fixture of 45-90 cm in diameter is quite enough. Wooden planks of fireplace mantles are often decorated with carvings, inlays of metal and enamel, drawings, even precious stones. Fireplace bellows by renowned manufacturers are truly a work of art that will decorate any interior.
The fan for the fireplace is of three types and solves different problems. This device can be used, like fireplace mantles, to “fuel” the flame with oxygen. The second method involves the use of this fireplace accessory in order to improve traction and remove combustion products from the chimney. Such a fan is installed in the upper part of the chimney pipe, which somewhat complicates the preventive cleaning of the latter. The third use case is to improve the distribution of hot air and heat other rooms with a fireplace, if required by the design. All types of fans require an electrical connection, so it is better to foresee wiring.
Fireplace screen
Screen - a fireplace accessory that protects the room from accidental loss of logs, coals and sparks from the hearth. By design, the screens are built-in and freestanding. Built-in models can be made in the form of doors or a molded structure covering 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 freestanding screens, the scope of design thought is expanding. The forged design is complemented by a fine-mesh metal mesh. Such a fireplace accessory will protect the room from accidentally falling sparks and evenly distribute heat from the hearth. Quite popular models of screens made of heat-resistant glass. They distribute heat worse, but they scatter light very well. There are transparent and matte screens. The least popular and safest option is fabric screens. The textiles are impregnated with a special composition that protects against fire, however, this is a very weak protection against the palette accidentally rolling out of the portal.
The fireplace screen - not only carries a protective function, but also is a stylish element of decor that will decorate any interior. A photo of the fireplace accessory is presented below.
Firewood
As it is not difficult to guess from the name, the woodcutter is a device for storing firewood. Comfortable use of the fireplace requires a supply of firewood at hand to eliminate the need to go out every time to the barn or the street. However, a bunch of logs on the floor creates a lot of inconvenience in the form of garbage. Therefore, at home it is more convenient to use 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 firewoods are more practical. They are convenient to bring firewood from the street. There are a lot of options: from metal, wood, vines, fabrics, knitted, leather, plastic. There are firewood in the form of a cart with wheels, a bucket, basket, bag, box. This decorative fireplace accessory is easy to make with your own hands. When choosing a specific model, pay attention to the bottom. The woodworkers with a trellised bottom look very elegant, however, 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 a single style solution look especially impressive.
Serviter
Servitor - a special stand for storing basic accessories: poker, tongs, scoop and panicles. Just folded near the hearth tools do not look very aesthetically pleasing, so they use a special stand or hanger. The servitor usually comes complete with basic accessories and is made in the appropriate design and from the same material. Serverboards in the form of various types of racks are popular: from simple models to elegant art forging products. The racks 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. Elegantly crafted accessories organically complement the hearth, give the room a touch of sophistication and charm. Basic accessories are made of forged steel or bronze. They must be durable and resistant to high temperatures. These include poker, tongs, scoop and whisk. It is convenient to store them in the server. A fireplace screen will help to protect the room from sparks, and to blow out a dying flame - furs and a fan. A functional and stylish addition will be a fireplace mantel. It will keep the fuel dry and bring a twist to the interior.