What is in a fireside companion set?
A fireside companion set is a stand that holds the tools you need to tend a fire. Most sets include a poker for moving logs or coal, a shovel for clearing ash, a brush for sweeping the hearth and tongs for placing fuel. Check each listing for the exact pieces included.
Hearth tidy sets vs full companion sets
Hearth tidy sets are the compact option, usually around 37cm to 40cm tall, and suit a small hearth, a wood burner or a stove with a narrow surround. Full companion sets from around 48cm up to 71cm tall stand more upright beside a larger open fireplace, and their longer handles keep your hands further from the heat.
Choosing a finish
Matt black and brushed steel suit modern wood burners and plain surrounds. Antique pewter, antique brass and antique bronze have a softer, aged look that sits well with period fireplaces, cast iron grates and stone hearths. Polished nickel and chrome handles add a brighter, more decorative touch.
How to choose a fire screen or fire guard
A fire screen stands in front of the fireplace opening to catch sparks and embers and to hide an empty grate in summer. Three-panel and three-fold screens wrap slightly around the opening, while flat and arched screens give a neater outline on a smaller hearth.
- Measure the width and height of the fireplace opening before you choose.
- Pick a screen that is wider than the opening, so the side panels can angle in and still cover the edges.
- Check the depth the screen needs when its panels are angled, so it fits on your hearth without overhanging.
- Choose mesh panels if you want to see the flames while catching sparks.
Fire screens and fire guards are not the same thing. A decorative fire screen catches sparks and embers, but it is not a child safety fireguard. If you need to protect children or pets from an open fire or log burner, use a nursery fireguard that meets British Standard BS 8423 and is fixed to the wall, as UK fire safety advice recommends.
Coal scuttles, log baskets and kindling buckets
Coal scuttles, also called coal buckets, come with a shovel and are sized for topping up a stove or grate. Log and kindling bucket sets are a metal alternative to a wicker log basket: a larger bucket for logs, a smaller one for kindling and a holder for long matches, all in one finish. Keep fuel on the hearth or nearby, never so close to the fire that it could catch.
Pair fireside storage with a wall clock or mirror above the mantel to finish the fireplace wall.
Looking after fireside tools
Let ash and tools cool completely before cleaning. Wipe metal finishes with a dry, soft cloth, and avoid abrasive cleaners, which can wear through aged and plated finishes. Store tools and buckets on a dry hearth to help prevent marks and corrosion.
Fireside accessories: your questions answered
What tools come in a fireside companion set?
A typical fireside companion set includes a poker, a shovel, a brush and tongs, held on a stand. Compact hearth tidy sets may have fewer or shorter tools. The pieces included are listed on each product page, so check before you buy if you need a specific tool.
What size fire screen do I need?
Measure the width and height of your fireplace opening. Choose a screen that is wider than the opening, so the angled side panels still cover the edges, and check the screen's height covers the top of the opening. Allow enough hearth depth for the panels to stand at an angle.
Is a fire screen the same as a fireguard for children?
No. A decorative fire screen catches sparks and hides an empty grate, but it is not designed to keep children away from the fire. For homes with young children, use a nursery fireguard that meets BS 8423 and is fixed securely to the wall.
Do you need a fire guard with a log burner?
A log burner's glass and body get very hot, so a fire guard is a sensible addition in homes with babies, young children or pets. Choose a nursery fireguard that meets BS 8423 and fixes to the wall. A decorative fire screen alone will not stop a child touching the stove.
What is the difference between a coal bucket and a coal scuttle?
The names are used for the same thing: a bucket for holding coal or smokeless fuel beside a fire or stove, usually with a handle and a matching shovel. Scuttle is the more traditional British term.
Should fireside accessories match?
They do not have to, but tools, screen and buckets in the same finish give a fireplace a pulled-together look. Choose one finish, such as antique pewter or matt black, that also suits your grate, stove or surround.
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