The Benefits Of Using A Fireplace Shovel
If you have ever had a friend with a wood burning fireplace in their home, then you also may have seen a fireplace shovel. Fireplace shovels are a standard tool that will be used by nearly everyone who has a wood fireplace.
The short video below covers fireplace-shovel basics and safe ash handling before we dive into materials and tips.
Fireplace shovels are similar to other shovels used for gardening, snow, or sand—but they’re purpose-built for scooping ash.
Unlike cheaper toy or garden shovels, fireplace shovels use a steel shank and steel head to withstand heat from embers and ash. The head is typically flat so it can push against the back wall of your firebox and help scoop ash cleanly. For any remaining ash, use a broom that comes standard in most fireplace tool sets.
We recommend using your shovel (and brush) with an ash bucket. Wait 24 hours before removing ash to be sure it has fully cooled. Scooping into a dedicated ash bucket adds a layer of safety, reducing the chance hot embers reignite in a trash can.
Most fireplace tool sets include a shovel and brush. As noted in our article on fireplace tongs, some lower-cost tool sets omit tongs to reduce price, but you’ll usually see a poker, brush, and shovel included.
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- Minuteman 4-piece Tool Set
That about covers it for fireplace shovels. If you have any other questions about these tools, please give us a call at 800.203.1642.
