Poker, Tongs and a Lidded Ash Can: Best Fireplace Tool Set Choices for Wood Fires

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The best fireplace tool set does two jobs: it lets you tend a wood fire from a safe distance, and it gets the ashes out of the firebox without spilling hot embers on the hearth. A standard set gives you a poker, tongs, a shovel and a brush on a stand. What changes from set to set is the metal, the height, how stable the stand is and whether the tools suit a wide-open fireplace or a small wood stove door.

We compared five tool sets and a lidded metal ash bucket, sold by Amazon.com or by the brand’s own store: a one-piece wrought iron set, a Mission-style steel set, a compact Pilgrim set for stoves, a set with a built-in log rack and a set the title says comes with gloves. We quote heights, weights and materials as each listing gives them, flag the listing errors we found, and finish with the ash disposal rules from the U.S. Fire Administration and NFPA.

Our Top Fireplace Tool Set Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. FEED GARDEN 5-Piece Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set: Best Overall

FEED GARDEN’s 5-Piece Fireplace Tools Set covers every basic job at the hearth: a poker to move logs, tongs to place and grab them, a shovel and brush for ash and debris, and a stand to hold all four. The tools are wrought iron with a black powder-coated finish that the listing describes as rust-resistant.

The construction detail worth noticing is the one-piece shaft. FEED GARDEN says each poker, tongs, shovel and brush has a continuous shaft with no threaded joint in the middle to loosen, wobble or need retightening. Many budget sets screw together in sections, and those joints are what tend to work loose over a season. Here the four tools arrive ready to use, and only the stand needs simple assembly.

The stand is 32 inches tall with a solid, wide hexagonal base that the listing says provides a stable footprint and helps reduce tipping. That matters on a hearth where someone might bump the set with a log or a foot. The specs give a weight of 10.7 pounds, and FEED GARDEN names indoor fireplaces, wood stoves, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits as uses.

It suits most homes with an open wood-burning fireplace: people buying a first set for a new house, or replacing a wobbly set that came apart at the joints.

Why we like it

• No joints to loosen
• Wide, anti-tip base
• Tongs included

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t give a warranty or the length of each tool, only the 32-inch stand height.

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2. Pleasant Hearth Mission Style 5-Piece Toolset: Best Mission-Style Set

Pleasant Hearth’s Mission Style toolset is a five-piece set with a poker, tongs, a shovel, a Tampico brush and a heavy-duty stand. Mission style means straight lines and squared shapes, and Pleasant Hearth designed the set to coordinate with its Mission Fireplace Screen, model FA017SB, sold separately.

The tools are listed as durable steel construction. The brush uses Tampico, a natural plant fiber commonly used in hearth brushes, rather than synthetic bristles. With tongs included alongside the poker, you can lift and place a log rather than only pushing it around. Day to day, the poker opens up a settling fire, the shovel clears cold ash from the firebox floor into a metal bucket, and the brush sweeps stray ash and bark off the hearth, with every tool returning to the heavy-duty stand between uses.

The listing gives the set’s footprint as 10 inches long by 7.5 inches wide and 30.5 inches high, and the specs list 11.66 pounds. One detail is inconsistent: the title and color field call the finish “Metallic,” while a bullet says “Wenge finish,” which usually describes a dark brown wood tone. Look at the product photos to be sure the color suits your room.

It suits buyers who want their tools to match a Pleasant Hearth Mission screen or a Craftsman-style room, and who prefer buying from Amazon.com directly.

Why we like it

• Matches a specific screen
• Natural-fiber brush
• Includes tongs

Watch out for

Sales rank is the weakest on this page, and the finish description conflicts between the title and bullets.

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3. Pilgrim 18019 Compact Fireplace Tool Set: Best for Wood Stoves and Inserts

Pilgrim Home and Hearth’s 18019 is a compact fireplace tool set only 18 inches tall. It includes an ash shovel, a poker, a natural fiber brush and an ash rake, all supported on a solid cast iron base, in a matte black finish.

The short height is deliberate. Pilgrim calls the set perfect for wood and pellet stoves and inserts, where a small door and a firebox close to the floor make long-handled tools awkward. Instead of tongs, it includes an ash rake, which pulls ash and coals forward so you can shovel them out cleanly. Pilgrim describes it as an original design and calls the brand America’s best-selling fireplace accessories for over 75 years.

The specs give a footprint of 9 by 9 inches and a weight of 9.7 pounds, though the title says 13 pounds, so the exact weight is unclear. Either way, the cast iron base keeps the center of gravity low. The bullets list a Lifetime Guarantee, though the warranty field is empty and the listing doesn’t spell out the terms.

It suits homes heated by a wood stove, a pellet stove or a fireplace insert, and small hearths where a 30-inch stand would be in the way. Open fireplaces with a deep firebox may call for longer tools.

Why we like it

• Sized for stove doors
• Low, cast iron base
• Lifetime guarantee in the bullets

Watch out for

There are no tongs, and the short tools put your hands closer to an open fire than a full-height set would.

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4. Lavish Home Fireplace Tool Set and Log Rack: Best With a Log Rack

Lavish Home’s Fireplace Tool Set and Log Rack combines two hearth accessories into one. The wrought iron rack holds firewood, and four tools, a shovel, a broom, a poker and tongs, hang from built-in hooks on its sides. Lavish Home counts the rack as the fifth piece.

The listing says the rack holds up to 130 pounds of firewood, plus newspapers, kindling and fire-starting tools. The finish is a powder-coated matte black that Lavish Home says is made to withstand intense heat, and the design is described as Mission style, to suit modern, industrial, country and farmhouse rooms.

Lavish Home is also the only brand among our picks that gives each tool’s size: the broom, poker and tongs are each 26 inches tall, and the shovel is 27 inches. The whole unit measures 17 by 14 by 30 inches, according to the listing, and the specs list 16.35 pounds. Lavish Home says the tools are built for wood stoves, outdoor fire pits and even gas fireplaces.

It suits people who bring in a day or two of wood at a time and want it stacked neatly next to the fire, with the tools in reach. Keep the rack a safe distance from the firebox opening, as you would any stack of wood.

Why we like it

• Wood and tools in one place
• Stated tool lengths
• 130-lb rack capacity

Watch out for

It takes more floor space than a tool stand, so measure the hearth and keep the wood back from the fire.

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5. Lichamp FTS55BK 5-Piece Fireplace Tool Set: Best Set With Gloves (Per Title)

Lichamp’s FTS55BK is a five-piece fireplace set with tongs, a poker, a shovel, a brush and a tool stand, finished with what Lichamp calls a retro handle in a neoclassical design. The title adds heat-resistant leather gloves to the package.

The listing explains each tool’s role clearly: the poker keeps you away from the flames while you move logs and control the fire, the tongs help you safely place kindling and reposition logs, the shovel scoops used firewood and ash, and the heavy stand keeps everything neat. Lichamp says the set is made mainly of strong wrought iron, coated with a high-temperature-resistant iron powder, with a heavy-duty steel body that resists corrosion and won’t deform or crack.

A couple of listing details need caution. The bullets list tongs, poker, base, shovel, brush and tool stand but no gloves, so the gloves appear only in the title. The listing also says the “overall height of 10 inches,” which can’t describe a stand that holds full-length fireplace tools, and the size and weight fields are empty. Check the product photos for proportions before you buy. On the plus side, Lichamp says assembly takes only a few minutes and the set can be taken apart for compact storage.

It suits buyers who want decorative tools that also work outdoors at a fire pit, and who like the idea of gloves in the box.

Why we like it

• Retro, decorative handles
• Indoor and outdoor use
• Breaks down for storage

Watch out for

Confirm the gloves are included and check the real height in the photos, since the listing contradicts itself.

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6. Pure Garden 4.75-Gallon Metal Ash Bucket With Lid and Shovel: Best Ash Bucket

Pure Garden’s Metal Ash Bucket is the piece many fireplace tool sets leave out: a lidded steel container for getting ashes out of the firebox and out of the house. It holds up to 4.75 gallons, and a small shovel comes with it.

The listing says the tight lid fits securely, to keep ashes inside while you carry the bucket, and the handle has a heat-resistant wooden grip. The bottom is raised with thermal insulation, which Pure Garden says helps prevent heat damage to floors, but it adds that the bucket works best on stone, slate and brick hearths. In other words, don’t set it on a rug or hardwood.

The bucket measures 12.5 by 12.5 by 13 inches, and the shovel is 14.25 by 4.5 inches, according to the listing; the specs list 5.85 pounds. Pure Garden pitches it for wood stoves, pellet stoves, fireplaces and fire pits, and says the lid also makes it handy for storing wood pellets. The listing describes toting hot ashes, but fire safety groups say to let ashes cool first, then store the closed bucket outdoors away from the house, as we explain in the safety section below.

It suits every wood-burning household, including those that already own a full tool set, because a lidded metal bucket is the safe way to move and store ash.

Why we like it

• Lid keeps ash contained
• Insulated, raised bottom
• Big 4.75-gallon capacity

Watch out for

Set it only on a nonflammable surface, and store it outside, well away from the house, once the ashes are in.

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How We Chose the Best Fireplace Tool Sets

We limited our picks to sets sold by Amazon.com or by the brand’s own store and listed in stock, and compared what each listing actually says:

• Tools included: poker, tongs, shovel, brush or ash rake, and whether the stand counts as a piece.
• Material: wrought iron, steel or cast iron, and the finish.
• Height and reach: stand height and tool length where stated.
• Stability: base shape and weight.
• Ash handling: a lidded metal bucket for safe disposal.
• Warranty and popularity: the warranty field (flagged where empty) and Amazon sales rank.

Fireplace Tool Set Buying Guide

Best Fireplace Tools: What a Full Set Includes

A standard set has four tools on a stand. The poker moves logs and opens up the fire, tongs lift and place logs, the shovel clears ash, and the brush sweeps the hearth. The FEED GARDEN, Pleasant Hearth, Lavish Home and Lichamp sets include all four. Pilgrim swaps tongs for an ash rake, which pulls ash forward in a stove or insert. If you only ever add logs by hand before lighting, you can live without tongs; if you add wood to a burning fire, tongs keep your hands out of it.

Wrought Iron vs. Steel

Wrought iron sets, such as FEED GARDEN, Lavish Home and Lichamp, are typically powder-coated black and have a heavier, hand-forged look. Pleasant Hearth lists steel construction, and Pilgrim lists a solid cast iron base. In practice, the finish and the joints matter as much as the metal: FEED GARDEN says its tools have one-piece shafts with no threaded joint to loosen, which no other listing here claims.

Length and Reach

Longer tools keep your hands farther from the heat when you tend an open fire. FEED GARDEN’s stand is 32 inches tall, Pleasant Hearth’s is 30.5 inches and Lavish Home’s unit is 30 inches, with tools of 26 to 27 inches. Pilgrim’s 18-inch set is built for stove and insert doors, where long tools are awkward. Lichamp’s listing gives an “overall height of 10 inches,” which doesn’t fit a full-size set, so check its photos.

Stand Stability and Footprint

A tool stand that tips onto a stone hearth is noisy at best. FEED GARDEN describes a wide hexagonal base meant to reduce tipping, Pilgrim uses a solid cast iron base, and Pleasant Hearth lists a heavy-duty stand. Lavish Home’s log rack is the heaviest pick at 16.35 pounds but also the largest, at 17 by 14 inches. Keep any rack or stand, and especially stacked wood, back from the firebox opening.

Ash Buckets With Lids

A shovel needs somewhere safe to put the ash. Choose a metal bucket with a tight lid and a raised bottom, like the Pure Garden 4.75-gallon bucket, and set it on stone, brick or another nonflammable surface. Never use a paper bag, cardboard box or plastic bin, even if the ashes look cold.

Best Fireplace Tools Set for Wood Stoves and Fire Pits

Wood stove and insert owners usually do better with a short set like the Pilgrim. FEED GARDEN, Lavish Home and Lichamp all name fire pits or outdoor fires among their uses. For the fuel itself, our best fireplace wood guide covers kiln-dried firewood and natural fire starters, and our best fireplace screen guide covers spark screens and child safety gates.

Fireplace Safety: Ashes, Screens and Chimneys

Most of the danger from a wood fire comes after the flames die down. The U.S. Fire Administration’s heating fire safety handout and NFPA’s heating safety tip sheet spell out the habits:

• Let ashes cool. NFPA says ashes should be cool before you put them in a metal container, and that the container should be kept a safe distance from your home.
• Lidded metal container, 10 feet out. USFA says to put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 10 feet from your home. The EPA’s Burn Wise best practices add: store the covered metal container outdoors on a nonflammable surface.
• Use a screen. USFA says to keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to stop embers or sparks from jumping out, and NFPA calls for a sturdy screen.
• Inspect the chimney every year. NFPA’s heating safety page says to have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Put the fire out before bed. USFA says to put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home, and not to burn paper in the fireplace.

Ash Disposal Fires and Your Home Insurance

Ashes dumped in a paper bag, a plastic bin or a pile against the garage can smolder for hours before they catch, and the resulting fire may reach a deck, siding or the house itself. Homeowners policies generally cover sudden fire damage, but limits, deductibles and how a claim is handled vary, so it’s worth understanding your coverage before the burning season. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains dwelling and personal property coverage, and if this is your first winter with a working fireplace, read our insurance tips for first-time Ohio homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fireplace tool set for most homes?

Our top pick is the FEED GARDEN 5-Piece set. It includes a poker, tongs, shovel and brush on a 32-inch stand with a wide hexagonal base, and the listing says each tool has a one-piece shaft with no threaded joint to loosen.

What tools come in a fireplace tool set?

Usually a poker, tongs, a shovel and a brush on a stand, often sold as a 5-piece set counting the stand. Compact stove sets like the Pilgrim may swap tongs for an ash rake. An ash bucket is normally sold separately.

Is wrought iron better than steel for fireplace tools?

Both work. Wrought iron sets are typically heavier and powder-coated black; steel sets like the Pleasant Hearth are common too. Look as closely at the joints and the base: one-piece tools and a wide, heavy stand matter more day to day.

How do you safely dispose of fireplace ashes?

NFPA says ashes should be cool before they go in a metal container. USFA says to use a metal container with a lid, kept outside at least 10 feet from your home, and the EPA adds to set it on a nonflammable surface.

What are the best fireplace tools for a wood stove?

Short tools suit a stove door better. The Pilgrim 18019 is 18 inches tall, with an ash rake, poker, shovel and brush on a cast iron base, and the listing pitches it for wood and pellet stoves and inserts.

The Bottom Line

For most open fireplaces, the FEED GARDEN 5-Piece set is the best fireplace tool set here: one-piece wrought iron tools, tongs included and a 32-inch stand with a wide base. The Pleasant Hearth Mission set matches its Mission screen, the Pilgrim 18019 suits wood stoves and inserts, the Lavish Home set stores firewood and tools together, and the Lichamp set brings retro styling. Whichever you choose, add a lidded metal ash bucket such as the Pure Garden, let the ashes cool and keep the bucket outside, at least 10 feet from the house.

Lighting the fireplace this winter and wondering how your policy handles a fire that starts with ashes or the chimney? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or get a free coverage review.