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There's nothing quite like enjoying a good fire. Humans have indulged in the experience for up to 1.5 million years, when the first remnants of human-built fires were found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe, and staring into dancing flames, it's hard to deny the primal connection.
We've come a long way since the outdoor fire pits of our ancestors, and today, if you're lucky enough to safely host this element indoors, your wood stove or fireplace is probably an important gathering place for family and friends, just as the hearth symbolized the center of the home for centuries. Or at the very least, it's a nice-looking feature in your cabin and a good place for knickknacks.
In the early 1800s, the indoor wood-burning fireplace graduated from functional heating devices and cooking apparatuses to central, decorative elements featured prominently in the main living room. Today, we still treat home fireplaces as a point of pride, and often put a fair amount of TLC into their appearance, even if it's an electric fireplace, gas fireplace, or, as is the case in many apartments, a completely non-functional one.
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Besides traditional ways of decorating the mantel with family portraits, candles, or treasured dishware, the best way to spruce up your indoor fireplace is with high-quality, stylish hearth accessories and tools. If you often build a fire, you know that everything from the fireplace screen to a hearth rug needs to be durable and practical, but ideally, they're also good-looking.
This fireplace tool buying guide introduces several essential fireplace accessories and tool upgrades that are functional, customer-approved, and will add a bit of aesthetic spice to your own home set up, so you're sure to impress your guests—and yourself—around the fire.
11 Best Fireplace Tools & Accessories
Panacea Fireplace Tool Set
This modern 5-piece fireplace tool set will get the job done at an affordable price. Sturdy and straightforward, it lacks the outdated antique brass and wrought-iron ornamentation found in many a tool set for a look that will compliment any fireplace.
Price: $109 SHOP HOUZZ
Ohio Flame Campfire Tongs
For a fire tool that will last you a lifetime, look no further than Ohio Flame's best-selling 30" Campfire Tongs. Made in the USA of hand-forged steel by Ohioan blacksmiths and treated with a high heat-resistant black finish, they're poised and ready for both indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
Price: $80 SHOP Amazon
GB Home Heavy Duty Tongs
At just $17 these log tongs are well worth the price. Made of cast iron, the wide handles are designed for single or double-handed use, and the scissor action accommodates both small and larger fireplace logs.
Price: $17 SHOP Amazon
White Duck Outdoors Diamond Shape Canvas Firewood Log Carrier
Made of premium waxed canvas, you can't go wrong with this classic, rugged, log holder. Reinforced corners and cross-stitched ergonomic web handles ensure load-bearing strength, and padded handles, a host of earthen tones, and an oily wax coating finish them off with style. The price is pretty impressive, too.
Price: $56 SHOP White Duck
Garrett Wade Galvanized Steel Bushel Basket
Better than a log rack for storing logs, kindling, and more, it doesn't get more classic than this galvanized steel basket. Drop-down handles make for easy portability and its rust and rodent-resistant steel construction will keep your firewood protected. Plus, a water-tight seal means it can double as a spacious drink cooler in the warmer months.
Price: $30 SHOP Garrett Wade
Estwing Fireside Friend Axe
Anyone who makes fire understands how much work it can be. Estwing's Fireside Friend takes some of the load off, with a clever design that makes wood-splitting easy. Of more than 2,000+ 5-star reveiws on Amazon, one customer's account remarked, "This is the best wood splitting device ever conceived by man." Although the standard blue coating isn't our favorite, the special edition black has a slick look for a bit more cash. Or, check out the Gränsfors Small Hatchet for a more traditional style.
Price: $34 SHOP Amazon
Plow & Hearth Extra Long Matches
Replace your lighter, eliminate one more bit of plastic in your life, and add a bit of drama to fire-lighting with Plow and Hearth's Extra Long Matches. At 11" in length, they're the perfect size for safely reaching under a fireplace grate and lighting up a wood stove, grill, or candles. Plus the sturdy tube packing will look at home on your mantel.
Price: $15 Shop Plow & Hearth
Northshire Multicolor Braided Wool Hearth Rug
For comfort, safety, and a bit of interior home improvement, a hearth rug is just the ticket. Wool is one of the best materials to look for here, as its natural fibers char, rather than melt, and it halts the spread of fire from errant embers. Besides the classic braided rug, attractive hearth rugs seem to be lacking so you may want to opt for the more unconventional leather braided rug.
Price: $80 Shop Vermont Country Store
L.L.Bean Fireplace Gloves
Protect your hands and forearms when tending a fireplace or wood-burning stove with these popular gloves from L.L. Bean. They're strong enough to handle logs and fire pokers, and stylish enough to hang on the mantel. For a more unique alternative, check out Snow Peak's Campers Mittens.
Price: $79 SHOP L.L. Bean
Plow & Hearth Deluxe Galvanized Ash Bucket
When clearing away ash, this double-bottom, 28-gauge galvanized sheet iron bucket will be your best friend. Finished with a black-powder coated finish and wooden handle for safe handling, taking out the ash never looked so good.
Price: $65 SHOP Plow & Hearth
L.L.Bean Lattice Stovetop Steamer
For those with a woodstove, the addition of a stovetop steamer is arguably necessary for the most pleasant hearth experience. The steaming process adds moisture to the air the fire otherwise sucks up, so you can warm yourself and breathe easy by the stove.
Price: $109 SHOP L.L. Bean
Published 10-27-2022
Updated 04-04-2023
