Sparky the Fireplace Jokester

Sparky here bringing you some fireplace jokes for the holidays.  And keeping with the theme of this blog they all center around the fireplace.

Why does Santa like to go down chimneys?    Because it soots him!

But isn’t he afraid he’ll get stuck?   Yes, he gets Santa Claus-trophobic.

Won’t all that soot make him sick?    No. He’s had his flue shot.

But what if there’s a fire in the fireplace?   Santa then becomes Krisp Kringle!

www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

An always expanding website containing over 800 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.  

Tip:  This is the time of year to gather family and friends around your hearth and count your blessings.

Logger, the Expert on Fireplace Products

Hi, Logger here to talk to you about Fireplace Gloves.  Where there are flames, there is heat. Protect your hands and forearms from sparks, flying embers and rolling logs. Fireplace gloves are a safe defense and essential for any woodburning hearth. They’re also practical for camping, will prevent splinters and are a great asset for large-scale outdoor deep-frying and cooking.

Gloves For Fire Protection

And they make a great gift idea for anyone that has a fireplace, woodburning stove, outdoor fireplace or even a barbeque grill.  Since most everyone  you know has one of these, consider the very unique and practical gift of fireplace gloves.

Most fireplace (hearth) gloves are suede with an interior lining.  Ours have a 100% split cowhide exterior and a full interior lining of non-asbestos felt.  They have reinforced welted seams to protect finger tips and come in a 13-1/2″ and a 20″ Length.

When looking for a gift for that hard to buy for individual this may be the unique gift that solves your problem.  There you have it from your source for gift ideas – Logger.  Have a great holiday season.

 www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

A website containing over 800 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Tip:  Be very careful when working on a fire.  Using Fireplace gloves is always a good idea.

Ember with Decorating Ideas

Holiday greetings!  Ember here to give you some ideas on how to decorate your fireplace hearth and mantle for Christmas.  Since the holidays is a great time to gather family and friends around the hearth it is a wonderful time to spotlight your fireplace with beautiful decorations that compliment the holiday decorations in the room. 

There are many different things you can do from the very simple to the more complicated.  Here I am going to give you just a few ideas that you can pick and choose from:

1.  The most obvious is to hang those wonderful stockings above the fireplace long before Christmas Eve.  Use those stockings as part of your decoration.

2.  If you have a real Christmas tree it makes sense to have a gorgeous pine wreath above your mantle.   Adds to the wonderful smell and repeats the theme of greenery in the room.

3.  Place some of your Christmas ornaments on the mantle and/or in a clear bowl on the hearth or mantle.

4.  Place holiday candles on the mantle.  Get candles in different sizes.   Use all the same color or complimentary shades.  Use scented candles with the scents of Christmas – pine, apple cider, cinnamon, candy cane, etc.

5.  Decorate the fireplace with a string of Christmas lights.  Wrap around a garland or in amongst objects you have placed on the mantle.

6.  A flower arrangement in appropriate holiday colors is always a winner.

7.  Fill a basket, log holder or other type of holiday container with scented pinecones or pinecones in seasonal colors.  The great thing with this idea is after the holidays you can use them as firestarters. 

8.  Place dried citrus fruits in Christmas bowls on the mantle.

9.  Fill woven baskets with candies or nuts.

10.  String garland across the entire mantel incorporating dried fruits, nuts, patchwork fabric and other homespun items.

11.  Display a favorite Christmas collection across the mantle.

Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel

There are many more ways to decorate your fireplace hearth and mantle.  Look at all your Christmas items and collections and you are sure to come up with ways to display them by your fireplace.

 There you have it from Ember.  Enjoy the holiday season!  Happy Holidays.

http://www.toolsforfireplaces.com/

This is a website containing over 800 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Firepot with Great Gift Ideas

Firepot here to help you with some gifts ideas.  The holidays are such a wonderful time of the year.  A time for family and friend gatherings, wonderful food and gift giving.  From Thanksgiving through Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza to the New Year it is a time to reflect and count our blessings.  For many it is  time to make that gift giving list.  And, if you are like most, there will be a few on your list that will cause you a little extra thought when trying to come up with either something different, practical, inexpensive and/or unique. 

Here are a few ideas that might help make your task easier and a few of the ideas don’t require your recipient to own a fireplace:

Pinecones for Home Decor and the Fireplace

1.  Decorative and/or scented pinecones – a great gift idea for everyone in a price range for anyone.  Depending on which gift you choose your recipient can use them to scent their home throughout the winter while using them as a winter decoration in a bowl, basket or other type of container.  And, if they have a fireplace, they can use them as firestarters when they no longer are using them for their decor.  This is a gift that has a dual purpose.

Candelbra for the Home

2.  Candelabras - another gift that does not require a fireplace.  Fireplace candelabras are great for inserting in unused fireplaces but they can also be used on table tops anywhere in the house.   There are many different designs, sizes and finishes to match almost any decor.  This is a different type of gift that also can be used in many different ways – the fireplace, table centerpiece, hallway table, etc.

Fireplace Bellows for beauty and practicality

Fatwood for Indoor and Outdoor Fires

4.  Fatwood – a great gift idea for anyone with a fireplace.  These firestarters are available in different quantities and packaging for a variety of budget choices.   Fatwood makes starting a fire easy.  They are designed to get the fire burning with a minimum of hassle.  Your gift recipient will be very grateful for this wonderful and unique gift.

Hearth Rugs Come In Many Different Colors And Patterns

5.   Hearth Rugs -  this is an added fireplace accessory that everyone will appreciate.  It protects the flooring in front of the fireplace from bits of wood that seem to always gather around the fireplace and also is a great protection from any flying sparks that may escape from the fireplace.   With the many patterns and colors available it is a great way to dress up a fireplace hearth and an unique gift idea.

Log Carrier For Ease of Carryng Your Logs

6.  Log Carrier - if you are looking for a gift for someone with a fireplace or an outdoor fire pit this may be the perfect gift.  Many times individuals settle for lugging logs to the fireplace (whether indoors or out) by carrying them in their arms and getting their clothes covered with wood bits and sap.  A log carrier is a simple, clean and convenient way to tote those logs.  Your gift recipient will thank you for this very practical and useful gift. 

Outdoor Fire Pit

7.  Outdoor Fire Pits - this is a fun gift idea.  If the person you are buying for has a patio or yard they may love having an outdoor fire pit.  They come in many different sizes and you are sure to find one that fits your budget and their need.  We even have one that can be folded up and placed in its own carrying case to tote to the beach or campsite. 

Gel Bowl for your Patio Table

8.  Gel Bowls - these small, decorative tabletop fire bowls are great for using on patio tables.  They come in several different designs and are sure to dress up anyone’s outdoor setting.

And this is not all.  There are many fireplace accessories such as fireplace gloves, matchstick holders, kindling holders and more that you might want to consider as a great holiday gift. 

There you have it. We have provided you with a few unique gift ideas that you may never have thought about.  Whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or a New Year’s gift your sure to find something here that will make a great gift.  Firepot here wishing you a very merry holiday.

http://www.toolsforfireplaces.com/

This is a website containing over 800 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Logger for ToolsForFireplaces.com

Logger here for ToolsForFireplaces.com.  Today I want to talk to you about why you should have a log holder on your hearth.  They came in many styles, finishes and sizes and depending on your particular needs there is a log holder out there for your fireplace hearth.  But why should you have one?  Let me count the whys: 

1.  Keeps the extra logs up off the ground so you are not getting bits of wood all over the floor.

2.  Saves you trips outside.  Instead of having to go outside to get more wood every time you stoke the fire you can have an evening worth of wood setting right on your hearth.

Decorative Log Holder

3.  Depending on the log holder you have, it can be a very decorative item setting by your fireplace loaded with firewood to go.

4.  If you have a combination fireplace tool set/log holder/kindling holder it can be a very convenient and easy way to hold all the items you need to build and maintain the fire and then clean the area after the fire has died down.

Multi-purpose Log Holder

5.  If your log holder has a handle or is lined with a removable log carrier it can be used to carry the logs in from the outside instead of trying to pile a bunch of logs in your arms.

6.  If your wood is not completely protected from the elements where it is stacked outside you can have a evening of firewood sitting on your log holder for numerous days before you build your fire so you have dry wood when it comes time to light that fire.

7.  Again, depending on the type of log holder you have, you can decorate it during the holidays.  How about putting a Yule Log in it or wrapping garland and/or ribbons around it?  Use it to help you decorate your fireplace for the various holidays. 

Simple, lovely log holder

 So there are a few ways your fireplace log holder (also called log carrier, wood holder, log rack,woodbasket, wood caddy and more) can be of benefit when you use your fireplace.

Tip:  Make sure you have dry wood to build the most successful fire.

http://www.toolsforfireplaces.com/

This is a website containing over 500 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Logger, the information guy

Winter means bad weather in many parts of the United States.  And bad weather means power failure for many people.  In cold weather be prepared to use your fireplace or woodstove to keep your home warm until your power is restored.  What do you need to do to be prepared?  Here we will review what you need to do in preparation along with what to do in the midst of the power failure and also after the power has been restored. 

Be Prepared!  Long before you lose your power you need to be ready for it.  You never know when the power will go out (or how long before you get your power back).  Here’s your To Do List for preparing your fireplace before the power failure:

• Stock up on whatever fuel source you use in your fireplace or woodstove.  If it is wood, make sure you have split and stacked it properly allowing for good air circulation while keeping it dry so it will age properly.  This will allow your fire to burn hotter and minimize the buildup of creosote while making it easier to start and maintain your fire. Also have a good supply of kindling on hand such as Fatwood. 
• Make sure your fireplace or woodstove is in good working order.  If you are not sure, call in a professional to have it inspected.  You may have to use your alternative heat source non-stop for many days.
• Have quality fireplace tools, fireplace screen and fireplace accessories.  You will be using them ALOT!  If you don’t have them, invest in them NOW!  They will make your job significantly easier and fire building safer.  Here are some key fireplace items and why you need them:
  

  Fireplace Tool Set

  • Fireplace Tools (Shovel, Poker, Tongs and Brush) – helps in the ease of building and maintaining fires and the cleaning of the fireplace after use.  Much safer than trying to reposition burning logs with your hands!
  • Fireplace Screen - critical item to prevent embers from flying out of the fireplace and still allow that necessary heat to flow into the room.  You want to prevent starting a house fire caused from a spark flying out of the fireplace and landing in the room.
  • Fireplace Bellow - building a fire is critical when you have a power failure and you do not want to be struggling to get it started.  Fireplace bellows easily provide the oxygen rich air that helps to get that fire going.  A good flow of air is critical for a successful fire. 
  • Fireplace Andirons - It was discovered many centuries ago that if your fuel material is up off the ground the fire burns better and with less smoke.  Andirons keep your logs off the floor of the fireplace and the vertical front piece of the andirons hold the logs in place and prevent them from rolling out of the fireplace.  Fireplace grates can also accomplish this task.
  • Fireplace Log Holder - this will allow you to keep extra logs by the fireplace.  The fewer times you have to open the door to the outside to get more wood the better.  Every time you open the door you are letting cold air into the house.  Keep it to a minimum by stocking logs in your fireplace log holder.

Get these items stocked and in place before a power outage so you can build the easiest, best fire possible when it is critical to have one.

• Practice building a great fire before the power failure:
  • Make sure your damper is open
  • Place tinder (crumbled paper perhaps) on the fireplace floor between the andirons.  This is material that will catch fire instantly.
  • Place kindling such as Fatwood on top of the tinder.  This is material that will catch fire from the flames of the tinder.
  • Stack several fire logs on top of your fireplace andirons or fireplace grate making sure that everything is spaced about 1/2″ apart to allow for good air circulation. Your burning kindling will start the logs burning.
  • Light the tinder with a long match  If you have a problem with back draft (smoke flowing into the room instead of up the chimney), open a window a little before you start the fire to create a flow of air from the outside to inside and up your chimney.  Once the fire has started and the smoke is going up the chimney close the window. 
  • If the flames are not taking off don’t forget to use your fireplace bellow to help the fire get going
  • Keep it going by adding wood from your fireplace log holder as needed and keep the burning logs stacked properly by using your fireplace tools to reposition the logs as they burn down and shift.  When not working on the fire keep your fireplace screen in place to prevent fire embers from entering your room.

Your power is out.  Now what?

• Close off rooms you do not need to use.  The more areas closed off the better.  Let the fire heat only the rooms you need.
• Build that fire and keep it going.
• Fill containers with water and place on your fireplace hearth near the fire.  This is a great source of hot water for multiple uses while your power is out and your water pipes are running cold.  If you are using plastic containers make sure they are placed where they will not melt.

When the power comes back on:

• You may want to continue your fire as your heating system begins to heat the whole house.  Keep in mind if you have only one thermostat and it is in the heated area then you will want to open the doors to the closed off rooms so the heater will kick on.  If this does not cause your heater to start you may need to raise the setting on the thermostat to above room temperature to get it to start.
• Once the need for your supplemental fireplace heat has ended let your fireplace cool completely (this may be longer than 24 hours) before you clean your fireplace using your fireplace tools and prepare it for its next use.

There you have it.  With some good preparation, the next time you have a power failure you will be prepared to use your fireplace to stay warm.  Whether it is a few hours to over a week before you get power back on (depending on how wide spread the outage) if you have prepared properly you will have heat.   

Tip:  CAUTION!!  Do not bring into your home or garage BBQs, gas fueled generators, or any other heat generating devices that are designed for outdoor use.  People have died from the undetected gases given off by some of these devices.  Please use caution and be safe when you lose your power and need heat.

www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

A website containing over 500 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Logger, the product guru

Logger here today wanting to talk to you about the importance of hearth rugs for your fireplace.  Hearth rug could also be called fireplace rug.  Historically the hearth was the stone enclosure around the fireplace that was built to keep the fire enclosed and away from items that could burn.  At one time some of this flammable material was “strewing herbs” that covered the floor to keep down bugs and freshen the air.

Protect your floor with a hearth rug

Hearth rugs today protect our carpet and flooring around the fireplace from sparks flying from snapping logs.  They can also cover a floor already damaged. 

Hearth rugs are mostly available in nylon, wool and fiberglass.  Nylon is the least expensive and is usually more decorative than protective.  Wool will not catch fire when a spark lands on it but will allow the spark to burn out.  The rug will be singed but this can be brushed off.  Fiberglass won’t burn or melt and marks can be washed out. 

With the many decorative colors and designs for today’s Hearth Rug you can choose a rug that complements your room and decor while still having the practicality of protecting the hearth area.

www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

A website containing over 500 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Tip:  Protect your flooring by using a hearth rug in front of your fireplace.

Sparky, the Jokester

Sparky here to brighten your day by sharing a joke with you.  The joke is below.  The answer is hidden in the paragraph after the joke.

What English King invented the fireplace ?

www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

A website containing over 500 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits,(anwser to joke – Alfred the grate!) mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

Tip of the Day – Using a fireplace grate will help you biul a more successful fire.  Getting your logs off the bottom of the fireplace allows air to circulate around the logs and help the fire start and remain burning.

Logger knows his products

Logger here to talk about starting your fire.  What can be more frustrating than building your fire in your fireplace only to have it not start when you light it?  There could be several reasons for this problem and one of them may be you’re using the wrong kindling. 

Normally, hardwoods that are rejected during the manufacturing process are sold as kindling.  The problem with that is hardwood kindling does not start quickly nor does it create an intense fire.  It requires a lot of newspaper or other additive to get the fire started.  Sometimes many bags of this hardwood kindling may be needed to get the fire going.   

Fatwood normally requires just two sticks to get your fire going.   It is a kindling

Fatwood For Starting Your Fire

 that is cut into approximately 8″ sticks that commonly comes from the pine tree.  The fatwood is 100% natural and can be used to start things such as fireplaces, barbecues and campfires.  It can never go bad.  Since fatwood has a large amount of natural resin, even if it gets wet, it can still be lit. 

The base of the pine tree collects resin.  When the tree is cut down the stump retains all of the resin and becomes the perfect kind of wood for fatwood.  Since the stump is a part of the tree that otherwise would not be used, making Fatwood from this source is an environmentally friendly way to use the stump.  Traditionally fatwood was known as “Georgia fatwood” since the fatwood was harvested from the longleaf pine tree originally found in abundance in the southeastern United States.  Today the longleaf pine is endangered and Fatwood is now being harvested internationally.

So when starting that fire think Fatwood to get your fire going easily. 

Also, don’t forget, with the holidays here Fatwood makes a great gift item_ great price,  very useful for almost everyone and environmentally friendly!!  Logger here reminding you that the smaller packets make great stocking stuffers. 

 www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

This is a website containing over 500 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.

 More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.

Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility …Fire Stops With You!

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

• Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
• Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
• Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
• Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

Tip:  Always think safety when using your fireplace.

www.ToolsForFireplaces.com

This is a website containing over 500 products including fireplace tools, fireplace screens, fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, outdoor fire pits, mosquito control and more that help you create a more comfortable environment for yourself, family and friends.