10 Fireplace Essentials for Staying Safe and Warm this Winter

From fireplace tools like ash buckets and pokers to fire safety necessities, you'll want to stock up on these important items this winter.
One of the best fireplace grates holding logs in a burning fire
Photo: amazon.com

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As temperatures drop and winter settles in, there’s nothing quite like gathering around a crackling fire to chase away the chill and create a cozy atmosphere in your home. Whether you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace or modern gas insert, having the right products on hand can transform your fireplace into the warm heart of your living space. From practical tools that ensure safe and efficient operation to decorative elements that enhance your home’s ambiance, the right fireplace accessories make all the difference in maximizing comfort, safety, and style throughout the coldest months of the year. We’ve collected several must-have fireplace items to help you enjoy your fireplace this season.

Firewood Rack

Amagabeli BG400 Fireplace Log Holder

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A functional, quality firewood rack allows you to keep an organized stack of firewood near the fireplace so you are ready for cold winter nights. The Amagabeli BG400 Fireplace Log Holder is portable and flexible, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. This powder-coated steel rack features an easy-to-assemble frame and a fabric tote that hangs from it, so you can both carry wood and store it in one affordable holder. It doesn’t require any hardware to assemble; simply slide the tubes over each other to create the rack. It is compact and foldable for easy storage.

Made from compressed wood products such as sawdust and treated with waxes to light easily, fire logs can help get your fire started quickly and then last for 2 to 4 hours. Duraflame Gold fire logs are robust 4.5-pound fire logs that are easy to light and don’t produce any smoke while burning. One of the best perks of this log is its eco-friendly ingredients, including recycled wood, fibers, and wax. The large, bright flames of the Duraflame Gold fire logs add cozy illumination to any room.

What our tester says: “We followed the instructions and lit the paper wrapper on both sides, and the entire log burned brightly within just a few minutes. It continued burning for an impressive 3 hours. When we burned one in our she-shed fireplace, it raised the room temperature about 12 degrees in just an hour.”

Fireplace Grate

Amagabeli Wrought-Iron Fireplace Log Grate

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A fireplace grate improves the safety, appearance, and performance of any fireplace by keeping logs in place and off the floor of the hearth, which improves airflow. The Amagabeli Wrought-Iron Fireplace Log Grate has a simple design and a durable wrought-iron construction with six solid steel bars. Weighing a little more than 20 pounds, the grate comes in a variety of sizes to fit most fireplaces. The angled bars prevent the logs from rolling off, directing them instead toward the center of the grate to feed the fire. The grate’s 4-inch legs provide plenty of air circulation to promote a good burn. An enamel coating on this fireplace grate protects the bars from corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor use, too.

What our tester says: “I loved the look and how easy it was to load the Amagabeli Fireplace grate. For being so simple, I was surprised how efficient it was at keeping the fire burning.”

Fireplace Tools

Amagabeli 5-Piece Black Handle Fireplace Tools Set

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A quality set of matching tools puts the finishing touch on your fireplace. This five-piece set from Amagabeli is appealing for its combination of desirable features and value. The tools are made from wrought iron, so they should last for many years. Featuring a classic style that’s not overly ornate, these fireplace tools can fit with a variety of decors. The handles are comfortable and available in a black, brass, or gold-plated finish to match the other fireplace accessories. Tool reach is sufficient for large indoor fireplaces and outdoor pits. The support must be assembled, but that involves only tightening two nuts.

Ash Bucket

F2C Ash Bucket With Lid and Shovel

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An ash bucket is an indispensable fireplace tool for cleaning the fireplace or removing excess ash for better burning. The F2C Ash Bucket With Lid and Shovel is a high-capacity bucket for safe collection of up to 5.5 gallons of hot or cold ash. Its galvanized iron construction offers excellent corrosion resistance, and the powder coating adds to its durability. The bucket includes a shovel with a built-in holder as well as a comfortable wooden handle. It also has a lid that keeps the contents secure, reducing the chances of accidentally dropping hot ashes on the floor or hearth rugs.

Fireplace Screen

Best Choice Products 2-Door Fireplace Screen

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Fireplace screens are an essential piece of safety equipment for an open fire, preventing sparks and embers from jumping out that can damage your flooring and furniture. The Best Choice Products 2-Door Fireplace Screen has slender handles and solid flat wrought-iron bars to offer a modern appearance. Both the frame and hinges are welded to provide the necessary durability, and the extended feet add stability. The screen doors are steel mesh with magnetic closures, making them an excellent choice for homes with children and pets.

Fireplace Gloves

Rapicca 14-Inch Welding Gloves

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With the long reach of some fireplace tools, gloves aren’t always necessary, but it’s a good idea to have some handy in case you need to get close or while opening a hot fireplace insert. These gloves from Rapicca have been designed for welders, so they are extra tough, and few materials are stronger than natural cowhide. For comfort, they have been lined with cotton. Rapicca heat-resistant gloves are rated for up to 662 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sleeves extend for 5.5 inches, providing protection up past the wrists in case of stray sparks. These multipurpose gloves can also be used for fire pits, barbecues, and outdoor grills.

Smoke Detector

First Alert SMI100 Precision Detection Smoke Alarm

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The First Alert smoke isn’t flashy and feature-forward like pricier smoke alarms, but it will get the job done at a budget price. It’s simple to install and produces a very loud alarm, and that’s the minimum you’ll want while enjoying your fireplace. Along with its performance, we also like its compact, rounded shape, which makes it a bit more aesthetically pleasing

What our tester says: “During testing, the First Alert smoke detector was slightly slower to respond to smoke than the pricier models we tested—it took about 20 seconds to sound an alarm once we released our test smoke. But we were impressed by the fact that the silence button immediately muted the alarm, which is nice in the event you accidentally set the alarm off by burning dinner.” —Tom Scalisi, Contributing Writer & Product Tester

Creosote Remover

Meeco’s Red Devil 2-Pound Creosote Destroyer

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Creosote buildup in a chimney can create serious health and home-safety dangers, but the best creosote remover can help solve this problem. Meeco’s Red Devil 2-Pound Creosote Destroyer is fast and easy to use, destroying the binder that that holds creosote particles together. Just sprinkle a few teaspoons of Meeco’s Red Devil Creosote Destroyer over firewood or coal every third time you light a fire in the fireplace. As the fire burns, the remover’s chemicals—which include copper chloride, silicon dioxide, and fixed carbon—coat the chimney liner and keep creosote residue from adhering while also breaking down any existing buildup. This creosote powder comes in a 2-pound tub, enough for 16 applications.

Fire Extinguisher

First Alert Rechargeable HOME1 Fire Extinguisher

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Lightweight and with a simple design, the First Alert HOME1 fire extinguisher is easy to use but still very effective. It’s a 2.5-pound-rated extinguisher, at a total of 5.4 pounds, and boasts a sturdy handle that makes it easy to maneuver. There’s no hose to deal with on this extinguisher; to use, simply point the nozzle at the base of the fire and shoot. It’s rechargeable, too, so it can be employed more than once. Purchase also includes a mounting bracket.

 
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