“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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 

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. 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.”