Hearth tools are long-handled instruments used to tend and clean up after a fire without burning or soiling the hands. The most common hearth tools are pokers, tongs, shovels, and brushes. These tools are usually made primarily from a fireproof metallic material such as wrought iron and are often sold in sets. Additional accessories such as log holders, ash cans, and screens may be included with some hearth tool sets.
One of the most commonly used hearth tools is the poker. A fireplace poker consists of a sturdy, straight bar, usually measuring around 2 feet (61 cm) in length, with a handle at one end and a forked, pointed tip at the other. This tool is used to adjust the position of a burning log without injuring the hands.
Tongs are another hearth tool essential. This instrument is usually around the same length or slightly longer than a poker. It roughly resembles an oversized pair of scissors with a semi-circular pincer at the end of each “leg.” Tongs are used to lift and place new logs into a fire, and to turn already-burning logs.
Shovels and brushes are also common hearth tools. Each is usually around the same length as a poker. A fireplace shovel usually consists of a thin, straight bar with a handle at one end and a small-headed dustpan at the other. Generally, a fireplace brush is almost identical to a fireplace shovel, except its non-handle end consists of a small broom head instead of a dustpan. These tools are used together to clear cooled ashes away from the floor of a fireplace after a fire has ceased.
The bodies of most hearth tools are made from a fireproof metallic material. Wrought iron is an especially popular choice, although other materials such as brass, pewter, or nickel are also commonly seen. The tools’ handles may be made from the same material as their bodies or may consist of a decorative material like wood. Often, hearth tools are sold in sets, thus ensuring that they match one another. These sets usually include a rack on which the tools can be hung.
Some hearth tool sets include additional accessories. These may include log holders, ash cans, or screens. One of the primary advantages of these all-inclusive sets is the fact that all pieces usually coordinate with one another. Thus, they can add an attractive decorative element to the area surrounding the fireplace.
