Fireplace Andirons Buyer's Guide
Andirons are the metal bracket-shaped pieces that hold logs in a fireplace. Thanks to the wonderfully bizarre English language, they are also called fire dogs. (Though the explanation for this term seems like a bit of a stretch.) In any case, they're almost as classic as the logs themselves.
The functional role of andirons in wood burning fireplaces is to brace the logs and allow air to circulate under them. In gas fireplaces, the andirons, along with the fire logs, are mainly decorative.
People are drawn to andirons for the same reason they still want logs in their gas fireplaces. They are classic, pleasing to the eye and their tradition goes back so far that a fireplace seems incomplete without them.
Andirons are a simple fireplace accessory but, in this article we will give you helpful information so you can make the most informed decision when you purchase. Here's an overview of what styles are available, top brands for andirons, how to use them, and how to care for them.
What Are Andirons?
Andirons are decorative fireplace accessories that usually come in pairs and function as a support and brace for fireplace logs. A typical andiron is L-shaped. The horizontal piece acts as a rack and can attach to a fireplace grate to lift the logs up off the floor of the fireplace. The front vertical piece has two support legs and extends up to prevent the logs from rolling forward.
