In ancient times, fireplace tools were crucial for maintaining the fire’s size and heat. They were used to arrange the logs, stir the embers, and control the flames. People relied on these tools for warmth, cooking and light, making them essential in households.
Fire tools used to maintain a fire have changed little since the 15th century.
Fireplace Tongs: When you start your fire, it’s simple enough to use bare hands to position your kindling and logs to get a fire going. Once the fire is red hot and the flames are dancing it can be more challenging to maintain control. That’s where tongs come in handy. The purpose of the fireplace tongs is to give you the ability to move, rearrange or remove burning logs and material. As the wood burns down in your fireplace it’s position will shift. Logs can fall or break outside the hearth. Tongs let you reach inside the fire to reposition the logs.Tongs are typically at least two feet long to keep you getting too close to the flames and allow you to move logs without losing your grip.
Fireplace Brush
This tool keeps things tidy. When wood burns, the final product is ash, and it doesn’t take long for that ash to build up in the bottom of your fireplace. Eventually that ash will find its way out of the fireplace and onto your clean floor. That is, unless you sweep it up with your fireplace brush. If the ash has built up enough that it is about to spill out, it’s time to give it a sweep. But you don’t need to sweep the fireplace completely of ash. It is beneficial to have a light layer of ash beneath your fire as it helps to insulate the logs from the cold of the floor below.
Fireplace shovel: The fireplace shovel works just like a fireproof dustpan. Whatever ashes you sweep out of the fireplace, you collect with the shovel.
Fire Poker: The poker, designed to break burning coal into smaller pieces, did not become common until the 18th century. It can come in different shapes and styles but mostly it will be a straight bar of metal with a barb, hook or curved point at the end. It allows you to poke, prod and shift the wood so oxygen can get through more efficiently. Where the tongs are useful for moving entire logs, the poker gets into those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
Fire needs to be controlled and that is the sole purpose of fireplace tools: to keep the fireplace and the fire contained and under control. All of the tools were made to clean, maintain and control fire, in addition to extending the life of your fireplace. Think of them as the safety mechanism for the fireplace. These tools ensure the fire stays hot, the floor stays clean, and the house does not burn down.
As time passed, these fireside tools were not just functional, they added a touch of tradition and charm to the hearth area. The 18th and 19th centuries saw significant changes in the design and use of fireplaces and chimneys. As homes became larger and more complex, fireplaces became more than just a source of heat and cooking. They became a statement of style and sophistication, with intricate designs and elaborate decoration.
The fireplace created a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The flickering flames and gentle crackling sounds help to create a relaxing and peaceful environment where family members could gather around the heart for warmth and pleasant conversation, play games or carry out simple household chores such as sewing and knitting. These tools became essential for the fireplace and carry a rich and significant history.
Lois Michel
