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The Spruce
High-quality fireplace tools and accessories can help you tend the flames, clean up afterwards, and keep your hearth organized.
"Look for a tool that's heat-resistant—rather than brass, which was originally meant for coal fireplaces. Choose steel, cast iron, or wrought iron, and make sure it has a durable grip that feels comfortable to you," says Mallory Micetich, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Angi and an expert in consumer protection and small home living.
We researched dozens of fireplace tools and accessories, evaluating them on their material, ease of use, durability, and tool length. Our top choice, the Plow & Hearth Tall Fireplace Tool Set, is stylish and solidly constructed and includes a variety of tools with long handles.
Based on our research, here are the best fireplace tools and accessories.
Best Overall
Plow & Hearth Tall Fireplace Tool Set
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Plow & Hearth
Long handles
Incorporated hooks
Small footprint
Unique design
Some brooms arrived bent
The Plow & Hearth Tall Fireplace Tool Set wins our top spot for being versatile, stylish, and durable. It's important to have long fireplace tools to keep your hands at a good distance from heat and flames, and this set fulfills that need. Including the rack, which stands 32 inches tall, you'll get a poker, tongs, a shovel, and a broom. And although the stand is fairly tall, the footprint is just 7 inches across, making it relatively compact, and an excellent choice even for smaller spaces.
The pieces are hand-forged and have shepherd's crook handles that give them a bit of extra flair—it's a nice touch if you're trying to give your fireplace a makeover. While the style is subtle enough that it will match a variety of decor types, we also love that it doesn't feel like something you'd get at a big-box store. If you like the look, Plow & Hearth sells other coordinating accessories such as screens, log holders, and grates.
Some users reported that the ends felt a little awkward in their hands, but most said they were comfortable to hold and sturdily constructed. In some cases, the broom's bristles bent during shipping, but Plow & Hearth has excellent customer service and buyers were able to get replacements quickly. Overall, the attractive profile, long handle lengths, and solid craftsmanship made this set our top choice.
Price at time of publish: $130
Tools or accessories included: Stand, poker, tongs, shovel, and broom | Material: Wrought iron | Height: 32.5 inches (stand)
Best Budget
Amagabeli Fireplace Tool Set
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Amagabeli
Long handles on tools
Top ring lets you move it around easily
Good customer service
Some found the hardware inferior
Tongs not compatible with large logs
If you are looking for a complete set at an affordable price, you can't pass up the Amagabeli Fireplace Tool Set. This attractive set comes with a poker, tongs, shovel, and broom, as well as a matching stand, to keep it all organized. The width of the base is just under 12 inches wide—slightly larger than our Best Overall pick—but compact enough for most spaces. The tool handles are a generous 26 inches long, so you'll have plenty of clearance as you use them. We also like the ring on top of the stand that allows you to easily move it around as needed.
The rack does need to be assembled, but the process is simple and straightforward, and once put together, the stand is sturdy and well-balanced rather than wobbly. Some users reported that the tongs could have been sturdier, as they needed two hands to use them, and didn't feel they would work well with large logs. But considering the attractive look, solid wrought iron construction, and comprehensive set of tools, this set is an excellent option, especially if you're on a budget.
Price at time of publish: $65
Tools or accessories included: Stand, poker, tongs, shovel, and broom | Material: Wrought iron | Height: Stand, 32.5 inches; tool handles, 26 inches
Best with Log Rack
Enclume Sling Fireplace Log Rack with Bar & Tools
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Amazon
Made in the USA
Solid construction
Attractive
Broom handle could be longer
No tongs
Enclume, which means "anvil" in French, stands out for making all of its tools in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The company uses either solid steel, 304 solid stainless steel, or solid copper in their construction, and their techniques are inspired by those originally used in France. Assembly is required for this rack, but all hardware is included. We love that this rack allows you to store firewood and kindling as well as tools, so you can keep everything in one place.
This set measures 14 inches long and 16 inches wide and occupies a fair amount of space on the floor. The larger section at the bottom can hold at least 10 or 12 logs of firewood, and the curved rack at the top is ideal for smaller pieces of kindling or newspapers. One downside is that there are only three tools: A poker, a shovel, and a broom made of sorghum, a stiff natural grass known for being durable and flexible. The rack, which we could picture in front of a classic brick fireplace, is both useful and lovely to look at.
Price at time of publish: $256
Tools or accessories included: Rack, poker, shovel, and broom | Material: Steel | Height: 34 inches (rack)
Best Splurge
Pilgrim Home & Hearth Mid Century Tool Set
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Williams-Sonoma
Tools rest on stand, not the floor
Small footprint
Long handles
Brass or black finish options
Expensive
At just 9 inches across, this mid-century-inspired stand is compact but mighty, holding four tools (poker, tongs, shovel, and broom) and looking elegant while doing it. It's made from steel with a brass finish, so it's an easy way to get a warm-looking tone without using solid brass, which doesn't hold up to high temperatures as well as steel. It also comes in a finish called black, which in photos looks more like a dark gray.
The broom has stiff bristles made from corn stalk fiber, and the stand has rubber feet that protect floors from scratches. The tools themselves are 28 inches long, giving you plenty of room to maneuver as you use them. Another nice thing about this stand is that the tools hang over the incorporated tray, so you may be less likely to drop ash and soot directly on your floor or rug as you're working to maintain your fireplace.
Price at time of publish: $375
Tools or accessories included: Stand, poker, tongs, shovel, and broom | Material: Steel | Height: Stand, 29 inches; tools, 28 inches
Best Modern
Pottery Barn Bodhi Fireplace Set
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Pottery Barn
Spare, streamlined design
Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory
Built-in bottom tray
Brass or bronze finish options
Not as compact as other options
If you love the look of iron but don't want something too ornate or filigreed, you will appreciate this minimalist-looking set, which would coordinate well with a modern-looking fireplace. It's made from both iron and aluminum and comes with a poker, tongs, a shovel, and a brush, all of which hang on a rack above a bottom tray. The stand measures about a foot across, so it has one of the more medium-sized footprints on this list.
It comes in two different finish options: "Bronze" is a dark color that's nearly black, while "brass" comes with a snazzy-looking gold-toned stand and handles, but the tools themselves are black. The tongs have a distinctive, circular shape and the designers helpfully included an additional hook near the handle's base, to keep them from popping open while they're hanging. The Bodhi collection also includes a coordinating log holder and fireplace screen. Those who are committed to shopping responsibly will be happy to know that this set was created in a factory that pledges to uphold fair labor standards.
Price at time of publish: $249
Tools or accessories included: Stand, poker, tongs, shovel, and brush | Material: Iron and aluminum | Height: Stand, 35.5 inches; tools, 31 inches
Best Log Holder
Crate & Barrel Telum Black Log Holder
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Crate & Barrel
Convenient carry handle
Sleek profile
A bit costly for just one tool
Might get heavy when full
Unlike standalone log racks that are pieces of furniture, this one from Crate & Barrel does double duty as both a holder and a carrying container, which makes it easy to restock firewood when it runs out. We love its Art Deco-inspired look and smooth, sculptural design. It's also part of the Telum collection, which includes coordinating pieces like a fireplace screen and a set of tools so you can complete the look.
Made in India from iron, it has a riveted carrying handle that is slender, though solidly built. Note that the holder measures nearly two feet across, so you'll want to be sure you have enough space for it around your hearth. It can be easily cleaned by wiping it with a soft, damp cloth.
Price at time of publish: $199
Tools or accessories included: Log holder | Material: Iron | Height: 18 inches
Best Ash Bucket
Plow & Hearth Double-Bottom Galvanized Steel Ash Bucket
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Target
Double-walled bottom protects floors
Multiple color options
Budget-friendly
Sides can get hot
You can have the best broom and shovel on the market, but you'll be out of luck if you don't have a safe spot to put your ashes after the messy work is finished. This handsome bucket holds three gallons of warm ash, which feels like a manageable size to transport, and has a double-walled bottom to protect your floor from heat damage. It's made from 28-gauge galvanized steel and has a tight-fitting lid with a wooden handle grip that makes it easier to tote around.
It's available in charcoal black as well as copper, which has a rich, warm patina. We wish the entire bucket were double-walled instead of just the bottom, since the sides can get hot, and a shovel would be a nice plus, but overall, we think it’s an attractive addition to a fireplace area for a fairly reasonable price. You could even purchase two buckets and use the second one to hold firewood.
Price at time of publish: $51
Tools or accessories included: Ash bucket | Material: Steel | Height: 18 inches
Best Fireplace Gloves
L.L. Bean Leather Gloves
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L.L. Bean
Thick, protective material
Long cuffs protect skin
Material may harden with time
Run small for some
Even if you have tools with long handles, fireplace gloves offer added protection from stray sparks. This cushioned pair, which comes in two different sizes (regular and extra-long), has long cuffs (or gauntlets) that will protect your wrists and forearms. The exterior is made from a material called Insuleather, and it's designed to resist heat.
The gloves have unisex sizing and should fit most adults, though some said they found them to run small. Each one has a loop, so you can hang them with your other fireplace tools. The cuffs are tan and customers can choose between two accent colors: Saddle (a soft brown) or moss green. Besides using them for traditional fireplaces, they could be used around barbecues, fire pits, and wood stoves.
Price at time of publish: $79
Tools or accessories included: Gloves | Material: Insuleather | Height: Regular, 13 inches (includes 5-inch gauntlet); extra-long, 18 inches (includes 9.5 inch gauntlet)
Our top choice, the four-piece Plow & Hearth Tall Fireplace Tool Set, is compact, nice to look at, and well made, and it has tools with long handles to guard against mishaps. Our best budget option, the Amagabeli Fireplace Tool Set, takes up a bit more space and lacks a bit of the flair of some other sets, but it also has generously sized handles and classic good looks and includes four tools, all at an affordable price.
What to Look for in Fireplace Tools and Accessories
Types of Tools or Accessories
There are many different types of tools available to help you tend the flames and maintain your fireplace so it's clean and safe. Here's an overview.
Poker: As the fire burns, this stick-like tool is used to reposition logs so they have adequate space between them, which helps keep the flames burning longer.
Tongs: You can use these to add logs or move them around. Note that if you tend to use oversize logs, some tongs may not fit around them easily. (in that case, gloves might be a better option.)
Heat-resistant gloves: These can be used to add logs to the fireplace or for other tasks like grilling or tending to a wood stove. Look for a pair that offers plenty of protection for your wrists and forearms.
Pair of bellows: These look cool and old-timey, but also have a purpose: You use them to push air into the flames in a controlled way, which provides oxygen and either helps get the fire started or prevents it from dying down. (It's also a bit easier than blowing.)
Shovel: You need one for removing ashes once the fire stops burning.
Broom or brush: Use one of these tools to sweep residue after the ashes are removed.
Ash bucket: These containers tend to be heatproof and enable you to store warm ashes safely while they cool. A tight-fitting lid will help prevent spills.
Log holder: If you have space around your fireplace, you might want some kind of rack or stand to hold firewood. Some fireplace tool sets have built-in log holders.
Screen: If your fireplace doesn't already have one installed, a screen is an essential tool for keeping sparks and other debris from getting into the room.
Grate: A raised surface elevates logs to allow proper airflow and also protects the floor of your fireplace.
Flame-resistant hearth rug: Even if you have a screen, a rug protects your floor or carpet from errant debris that may spill out. Make sure it's made from a fire-resistant material such as fiberglass.
Size
Consider looking for tools that are at least 26 inches long, so you'll be able to tend to your fire without worrying about burning your hands or wrists. "Anything 26 inches or more will give you the clearance you need, but also enough control to go in and safely stoke the fire or clean it out afterwards," says Mallory Micetich, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Angi and an expert in consumer protection and small home living.
Materials
You might associate brass with fireplaces, but Micetich cautions against using solid brass tools, which aren't as resistant to high temperatures as tougher materials like steel and iron. "Steel, cast iron, and wrought iron should be your top choices, since brass was originally used for coal fireplaces, not the gas and woodburning ones we have today," she says. If you like the brass look, consider steel tools with an additional gold-tone coating—just make sure it's heat-resistant.
For the handle material, let common sense and ergonomics guide you. "As long as it's heat-resistant, it's up to the individual on what feels and works best for them. Sometimes you'll see cork or a grippy material layered over the iron or steel. Obviously, anything made of fabric has no place near a fire," she says, adding that if your tools have loops for hanging, "choose leather because it's far more fire-resistant than other fabrics."
Style
Ideally, your tools will blend with your decor, and there are many options with coatings that will give you the look of brass or bronze (rather than just plain black), or have decorative accents like wooden, marble, or cork handles. But Micetich also encourages people to consider the material and ergonomics over looks. "Tools that are actually functional might not be the most aesthetic, so you might get a set of brass ones that can sit out and look pretty, but also have a second set that are your functional tools," she says.
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What are fireplace tools and accessories used for?
Fireplace tools and accessories have three main functions: Tending the fire, cleaning afterward, and storage. "The stick, or poker, stokes the fire and helps keep the wood from falling in and nestling so it can have optimal airflow and the fire can continue burning," says Micetich. A pair of bellows can help add air (and also give your hearth a charming, vintage look), and tongs or thick leather fireplace gloves will help you place logs into the pile. If your fireplace doesn't already have a screen, you should add one to protect people and furniture from rogue sparks.
When the fire has been extinguished, you always remove ashes and soot using tools like a broom, brush, shovel, and ash bucket. "With a wood burning fireplace, this is about the health and safety of the chimney system—ashes, dust, and soot left at the bottom of a fireplace can cause buildup so the chimney won't let smoke out efficiently," says Micetich.
Items like racks, stands, and log holders can hold tools, wood, and extra kindling, and a fire-resistant fiberglass rug will help protect your floor from getting dirty.
In addition to using fireplace tools, Johnathan Brewer, general contractor and member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board recommends, "Get a chimney sweep ever so often to keep unburned products of combustion from building up." -
How tall should fireplace tools be?
Fireplace tools should be at least 26 inches long to give you enough room to manipulate the fire. Some broom handles may be shorter, but you'll be using them after the heat has subsided.
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Can fireplace tools be used outside?
Iron and steel are durable materials that will work in both indoor and outdoor fireplaces. Just know that they may wear out if exposed to the elements over time. "Sure, you can use them outside, but the real question is, 'Do you want to store them outside?' Wrought iron is rust resistant, and you can find tools with weather-resistant powder coating, as long as it's heatproof and fire rated. But the elements can greatly reduce the lifespan, so even storing them in a shed or garage will greatly extend the durability," says Micetich.
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How do you maintain fireplace tools and accessories?
Always follow the manufacturer's recommendation first. Generally, you can wipe most tools with a dry, clean cloth, but if you have caked-on soot, you may want to use something tougher, like a steel brush or steel wool sponge. "Cast iron and wrought iron don't love to be soaked in water—a little is fine, and if you use the same rules as you would for a cast iron cooking pan, you'll be able to get them clean," says Micetich.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Lexi Dwyer, who has been writing for The Spruce since 2019 and has covered topics such as furniture, gardening tools, and home decor products. To make this list, she aimed to choose sets with handles that are at least 26 inches long, are solidly constructed from iron or steel, and blend nicely with different types of decor. She also tried to mostly include sets with four tools. She consulted Mallory Micetich, who is Vice President of Corporate Communications at Angi and also an expert in consumer protection and small home living, for tips on buying fireplace tools and accessories as well as strategies for using them safely and effectively.
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