What accessories do you need for your fireplace?

Ash pans – ash pans are effectively holders that fit beneath a fire grate to collect ashes to make is easier to remove. You can also get specially adapted handles that can be removed when in use and then you can pick it up when it’s hot.

Coal buckets and hods. A coal Hod is a container for coal. It is very similarly to a coal bucket but is normally a vertical cylinder with a slanted opening at the top to facilitate pouring onto the fire without the coal going everywhere.

Coal bunkers are outside storage, normally of quite a large size to store coal over winter months. Made from sturdy plastic or galvanised metal it is up to you which you choose – both are equally as good and do the job.

Companion sets are both decorative and practical accessories for your fire place. Commonly it will consist of a poker, hearth brush, log roller, tongs and ashovel.

Fire place Fenders give a neat edging to a hearth to mark the end of it, it also acts as a barrier to stop the mess going from the hearth onto the floor or carpet. Many shops make these made to measure.  

Fire trims provide a finishing touch to your fireplace to make it look like its meant to be there with the wall.

Fire grates help distribute the heat more evening within a fireplace, and help the wood burn better.

Fire guards are just that – there to guard your fireplace and keep you safe. It not only serves as a functional and safety piece of equipment - it can also be very decorative and some even come with an all in one screen if you ever need to hide your fireplace. I would recommend a fire guard to ensure nothing goes into the fire unwittingly.

Fire backs are used as a decorative addition to a fireplace. It enables the eye to be drawn to the cosiness of a real wood burning fire as well as protecting the back of the wall from smoke damage, similarly if the back is cast iron the radiation effect from this will heat up the room quicker and reflect it towards you instead of going up the chimney.

So how are you going to use all of these?

The fire grate or fire basket you purchase an ash pan to place under the fire to catch the ash, this makes the cleaning of the fire a lot easier.  Ash pan carriers are designed to carry the ash pan out of the room without spillage which will save on cleaning if you normally spill it.  You will also be able to use a special ashbin designed to allow you to put the hot ash straight in without the risk of melting the container

A warming coal fire can bring great pleasure during the winter months  and the months leading up to summer and if it has items of fireplace accessories it will look more attractive by the minute. Now your fire is alive and roaring you can sit back and enjoy it, why not have a bit of fun and try toasting bread, crumpets, marshmallows  on a toasting fork or roasting chestnuts by the fire on a chestnut roaster. For your dream made to measure fireplacesvisit the fireside shop now.