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Custom Fireplace Tools

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:15:51 +0000

As the consumer demand for unique and one of a kind items continues to grow, the market for custom accessories will remain strong as well. While they used to be somewhat standard in design, over time, more and more homeowners are opting to have custom fireplaces built in their homes. Because the custom fireplaces can vary greatly in size and shape from traditional models, custom fireplace tools are often needed as well.

Why Do I Need Custom Tools?

Most fireplace tools come in three general sizes, specifically designed for small, standard, and oversized fireplaces. The various sizes and lengths of the tools are determined by suing the measurements of the fireplace to create a tool that is long enough to be safe and functional, but does not have any unnecessary length which may make it cumbersome to use. Custom tools are typically needed for custom fireplaces that may not work well with standard tool sizes, especially if the custom fireplace is much larger than the typical oversized designs. Fireplace grates are the one tool that is usually always required in a custom size for non-standard fireplaces. This is due primarily to the fact that the measurements for a safe and efficient grate are determined by a recommended amount of space between the grate itself and the walls of the fireplace.

What If I Have A Standard Fireplace?

Since the ability to have custom tools created for custom fireplaces exists, some consumers use this option to have tools and accessories specially designed to meet their visual and style preferences as well. This gives consumers the option of choosing their base metals for the tools and accessories to be made from, as well as the external finish of the metal. It also allows for custom period inspired pieces, unique modern designs, or even a designs that match or complement a visual element already in the home. When creating custom fireplace tool sets, consumers can also have other items, such as grates, fireplaces screens, and ash pails, created to match the tool set in order to create one uniform collection of fireplace accessories.

When it comes to custom fireplace tools and accessories, the design and style combination possibilities are literally endless. Whether your need is derived from having a custom size or design of fireplace, or simply your desire to have a set of tools custom made to meet your exact design specifications, the availability of custom pieces provides the opportunity to do both.

Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:05:19 +0000

Aside from brass, the most common metal used in creating fireplace tools is wrought iron. Known for its heavy weight and sturdiness, wrought iron can be very decorative as well as functional. Its traditional black color will match any décor and the variety of styles it can be bent, twisted, and shaped into can be appropriate for any design theme. This gives wrought iron fireplace tools the flexibility to complement the existing style in any home.

What Is Wrought Iron?

Wrought iron is an alloy containing primarily iron with a small percentage of carbon. It is known for the fact that it is easily shaped and welded, allowing to take on a wide array of decorative forms and styles. Wrought iron was the metal of choice for most industrial applications before the steel making process was perfected. Even though may of its uses were replaced by steel, wrought iron remained very popular for ornamental metal work.

Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools

Wrought iron was an ideal material for fireplace tools because of the fact that is was extremely durable. Aside from its high functional capacity, however, it also possessed the ability to be twisted and shaped into very ornate and intricate designs. While it was more limited in its available colors than brass, it was a neutral metal in appearance that allowed it to incorporate well into most rooms with ease.

Caring For Wrought Iron

The easiest way to ensure your wrought iron tool set lasts is to take the steps to keep it properly maintained. Since wrought iron is susceptible to rust under certain conditions, exposure to the elements on a regular basis is not recommended. Wrought iron can be cleaned with a simple soap and water solution and should then be dried immediately. Any signs of developing rust can be removed with a soft bristled brush or fine grained sandpaper. Hard abrasives are not recommended since rust actually forms on the exterior of the metal and comes off rather easily. Commercial rust cleaners are also available that can remove the buildup without the risk of scratching the surface of the wrought iron.

Wrought iron, if properly cared for, is extremely long lasting, durable, and functional. It is also very beautiful in appearance and can be formed into a variety of vintage inspired designs as well as more streamlined modern styles.

Brass Fireplace Tools

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:58:19 +0000

A functional set of fireplace tools is essential to keep your fireplace in proper working order. When it come to selecting fireplace tools, the two most common metal choices are wrought iron and brass. Brass, however, is quickly growing in popularity with modern consumers looking for a slightly less vintage look than is provided by wrought iron. Brass fireplace tools offer the consumer a nice balance between traditional elegance and modern style.

What Is Brass?

Brass is a metal alloy created by mixing of various concentrations of copper and zinc. It is known for its gold tones, sometimes very bright in nature, but also found in much deeper tones. The color of brass is initially determined by the percentages of copper and zinc it was created with. Most brass will also naturally and gradually darken over time, but is fairly resistant to tarnishing. Because of its typical gold color, brass became very popular for fireplace tool sets that were meant to be beautiful as well as functional. If the brass contains a high enough zinc concentration, it can also appear a deep silver in color. The metal alloy is very durable and can stand up to regular use and exposure to extremely high temperatures, but it can also be very ornate an decorative at the same time. Brass is most often found in either a high gloss finish or a brushed satin finish.

Brass Fireplace Tool Sets

Standard brass tool sets include five pieces, a shovel, broom, tongs, poker, and a stand on which to place them all. The shovel and brush are used together for cleaning tasks, the tongs are used to grab logs and place them on the burning fire, and the poker is used to adjust logs in the fire by pushing them backwards, with its pointed tip, or pulling them forwards, with its curved hook. Brass sets come in three standard sizes designed to work best with small fireplaces, standard fireplaces, and oversized fireplaces. The varying lengths of the tongs and poker are designed to ensure a safe distance is maintained between the handle of the tool and the burning fire. The lengths of the brush and shovel are meant to be proportional to the size of the fireplace being cleaned as well.

If properly maintained, a brass fireplace tool set will provide years of beauty and function.

Modern Fireplace Tools

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:54:49 +0000

Fireplace tools have stayed fairly consistent over the years, with a few minor changes to suit the changing times. Pot holders over the fire itself are less common than they were in older times since fewer people use their fireplaces as a primary cooking mechanism. Some consumers choose to swap their fire pokers and tongs for a pair of heat resistant fireproof gloves that allow them to simply handle burning logs with no burns risk. Shovels and brushes are sometimes replaced with specialty fireplace vacuums for a more efficient cleaning process. For the most part, however, stores are always stocked with the traditional four or five piece classic fireplace tool set. The primary characteristics that separates these traditional sets from modern fireplace tools, however, is often the materials they are constructed from.

Modern Metals

The most noticeable difference that has emerged with fireplace tools over the years is the metals from which they are made. While brass and wrought iron are still very popular, stainless steel is quickly growing in popularity. Stainless steel can be finished in a high gloss polish for an overall mirror-like shine or brushed for a satin or matte appearance. Steel fireplace sets can be purchased in black and gunmetal grey colors as well, with either satin, matte, or polished finishes.

Because of the modern look of the metal itself, stainless steel tool sets tend to be very minimalistic in their design. They are focused on smooth lines, precise angles, and symmetry. The more ornate designs used in wrought iron and brass sets are seen less often with stainless steel models.

Another major benefit of stainless steel is its non-corrosive quality. This makes it ideal not only for indoor use, but four outdoor use as well. Its high level of resistance to the elements allows it to be used to create modern tool sets for outdoor fireplaces and fire pits as well.

The particular types and uses of fireplace tools may not have changed as much over the years as one might think. The designs and styles they are fashioned in, however, as well as the metals they are made from, have all advanced to suit the consumer searching for a more modern look and feel.

The Fireplace Tool Set

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:54:11 +0000

Fireplace tools are essential components needed to use and clean an indoor fireplace. In order to make the buying process as easy as possible for consumers, most tool manufacturers will sell fireplace tool sets which include the four most common fireplace tools packaged with a matching tool stand. When shopping for a fireplace tool set, there are several factors to take into account.

Set Components

Standard fireplace tool set include five pieces, a shovel, broom, fire poker, and tongs, all held in a matching tool stand. The fire poker is used to move logs or coals back and forth in the fireplace. The fireplace tongs are designed to lift logs and coals into the fireplace or remove items from it. The shovel and brush are used in conjunction with one another for cleaning purposes. Occasionally, smaller tool sets are sold that don't include the brush whose purpose is easily accomplished by a standard broom or cleaning brush. Some additional pieces that can be purchased separately include a matching ash bucket and a coordinating fireplace screen. This allows consumers to have full matching accessory sets for their fireplace.

Available Design Options

The majority of fireplace tool sets are composed of wrought iron or brass. These materials are not only extremely durable, they also don't conduct heat as rapidly as other metals. This allows them to stay cooler to the touch for a longer period of time when in direct contact with the high temperatures in a fireplace. Both wrought iron and brass can be very beautiful in appearance, with wrought iron traditionally used for a more vintage appearance and brass for more modern designs.

Tool sets also come in various sizes in order to accommodate their ease of use with smaller fireplaces as well as larger ones. Extra tall sets are designed to work better with larger fireplaces that require tools with a longer reach. Miniature sets are perfect for small fireplaces in guest rooms or other small areas since they won't visually overpower the fireplace itself and the extra tool length isn't necessary. Most consumers, however, will choose a standard size set for their fireplace as they are designed to work with the more common residential fireplace sizes.

Fireplace tool sets come in an array of styles and designs which makes finding the perfect set to match your fireplace, overall décor, and personal tastes a breeze.

Fireplace Tools

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:05:25 +0000

Fireplaces are things of beauty as well as a source of warmth on a cold winter night. They can be simple in design with clean lines and plain mantels. They can also be extremely ornate with detailed trim work and elaborate mantel designs. Regardless of how simple or ornate your fireplace may be, one of the keys to keeping it functional, as well as beautiful, is with a proper set of fireplace tools. They not only make maintaining your fireplace much easier, they can also serve as beautiful accessories by the side of your fireplace.

What Is a Fireplace Tool Set?

A fireplace tool set is a collection of items used to operate and maintain a fireplace. They are usually found in five piece sets which include a fire poker, tongs, a shovel, a brush, and a tool stand to hold them all securely in one place. Some sets include only four pieces and do not include the brush. Aside from the primary set of tools, some sets may also have a matching ash bucket or pail that can be purchased separately. The pail may or may not come with its own shovel. Most sets of fireplace tools are made from brass or wrought iron. Other metals, including stainless steel, nickel, and pewter, are also sometimes used. Tool sets, just like the fireplaces they are used on, can range from very simple in design to highly detailed and ornate.

What Does Each Piece Do?

Fireplace Poker

A fireplace poker is one of the most essential tools in the set. Sometimes referred to as a stoker, fire pokers are long poles made of metal with a handle on one end. The poker has a pointed end combined with a curved hook on the end of the rod. The pointed end is used for pushing burning logs in the fireplace, while the curved end is used to pull firewood forward. A fireplace poker can also be used in the same manner for older, coal burning fireplaces. By adjusting the positions of the logs or coals, you can increase the amount of fuel available to the fire, also called stoking the fire.

Fireplace Tongs

Fireplace tongs can be found in a variety of styles but their basic function is the same regardless of their design. While a fire poker can be used to adjust burning logs or not coals in a fireplace, tongs are designed to be able to lift and move these items as needed. Tongs can also be used to add new logs onto the fire while still being able to maintain a safe distance from the fire itself. Most fireplace tongs are made in a scissor design which allows you to open and close two clamps at the end of the device by manipulating the tong handles. This allows you to grasp and release the logs or coals.

Fireplace Shovel

A fireplace shovel is also called a spade. It is essentially true to its name and appears and functions as a simple small shovel. This item was used outdoors to dig pits in the dirt to build fires in as well as shovel dirt onto the fire when it was done in order to put it out quicker. Shovels are typically used in indoor fireplaces to remove the ashes from a fireplace when it is being cleaned out. Aside from the standard size shovels included with tool sets, smaller shovels are often packaged with ash buckets and pails as well.

Fireplace Brush

A fireplace brush, also called a broom, is simply a fairly stiff bristled device used for cleaning purposes. It is first used to knock loose ash and debris from the fireplace grate and walls. Then, in conjunction with the fireplace shovel, it can be used to remove the remaining ash from the floor of the fireplace.

Tool Stands & Sizing

The individual components of the tool set are stored in a tool stand, typically resembling a small coat tree with individual hooks or holders for each separate tool. The sets typically come in three sizes, miniature, standard, and tall. These three size ranges are designed to be the ideal size for nearly any fireplace. Custom built fireplaces, which are typically larger, may require a custom set of tools to ensure the length of the individual components, primarily the poker, are long enough to safely manipulate the fire without any safety risks.

Having a complete set of tools alongside your fireplace can make starting and maintaining fires much easier as well as greatly reducing the time and effort involved in cleaning the fireplace itself.