Fire accessories

tiff

We are in the process of getting our old fireplace working, had the chimney swept today and need a guard, poker/companion set and log basket.

Wilkinsons have a low priced range, does anyone here have these. £10 for fireguard and £10 for companion set which seems excellent value but are they any good?

Foodhoarder

I got the same set last year, its ok still but will buy new one for next season, can comment on the fire guard as my parkray has glass window i dont use one!

G_M

Freecycle.
Ebay.
Charity shops.
Car boots.
Local paper classifieds.
Antique shops (priceier!)
House clearance shops.

shegar

tiff wrote: »

We are in the process of getting our old fireplace working, had the chimney swept today and need a guard, poker/companion set and log basket.

Wilkinsons have a low priced range, does anyone here have these. £10 for fireguard and £10 for companion set which seems excellent value but are they any good?

You are just as well to go to your local hardware store and buy a brush and metal pan for a few quid, companion sets dont really do the job properly, cos youve got horrible shape brush that doesnt sweep properly, a poker thats too short, a shovel that doesnt hold much, all they collect standing by your fire is dust......you can also get a log basket at hardware too, or like other posters have mentioned, secondhand shops,car boot, etc etc.....

tiff

We dont have a local hardware store unless you mean B&Q lol I have asked on freecycle and been to car boot sale. I work in a charity shop and scour them all the time. Thanks for the advice though, I did think an old set would be better than new.

suki1964

Companion sets look pretty but are IMO a waste of money


A good poker

A fire glove

A shovel

That's all I use


Oppps I tell a lie hubby just bought me tongs but when he's not looking I'm sure the glove will do ( don't tell him)

tiff

Thanks for all your advice, now I've looked at new companion sets I can see that the pokers are very short. I have been looking on Ebay, what sort of length would be better?

highrisklowreturn

About double the standard length. Think the normal length is around 30cm; this is far too short when the fire is lit and around 60cm for the poker would be best. All you really need then is the shovel; personally I use a (!!!) plastic shovel from tesco and matching brush, for 2.99 odds. Yes it has caught fire.

tiff

I bought a large metal dustpan this morning, used that to clean out the fire with an old brush I had and that worked out great. Currently using a kindling stick as a poker and getting very fed up so want to get a poker asap.

highrisklowreturn

Ye I was doing that too, then it too caught fire....

Not funny.

highrisklowreturn

My tip is if you have an auction house near you to get a companion set there. They go for anything between 5-30 for a good 2nd hand brass set with decently lengthed pokers etc.