[Jaysun]

It's very simple and requires a minimum of fuss. First you need something to support the wood--NOT modern cast iron "coal grate" log holders, nor the worse iron grates which cause the logs to roll together....these just don't work well making a lasting fire. Old fashioned "andirons" (those things with tall posts, sometimes brass, in front and flat rails a few inches off the fireplace floor extending to the back) or even a couple of bricks will work fine. I repeat, get rid of the typical home's fireplace grate--great fires cannot be made using them.

I've no choice but to use the modern "coal grate" tonight. Where in the hell does one find an andiron anyway? And the bed of ashes was a surprise. I was always taught to clean the ashes away before building a fire.

[squarebarb]

Me too.

And here I just went and bought an expensive new grate!

Dang.

But I notice the old 'grate' which was very low, almost no legs, soldered together out of rebar, made a much warmer fire.

Well, so much for my new grate.

[AnalogReigns]

I got a beautiful antique pair of hand-forged iron andirons on ebay a year ago for 13 bucks...

Ebay always has the (cheaper, mostly ornamental) brass kind on there. They will work too though.

A woodstove shop or places that sell fireplace utensils can get real anirons for you. But like I said, they are hard to find, as no one seems to know how to properly make a fire these days.

Key is having the rails the logs sit on straight, not bent, or tilted backwards, like grates usually are, as you don't want the logs to roll together.

[crz]

You can have a good welder make a set for you. A blacksmith also.

All they are is two good heavy pieces of steel bent up 90 degrees at one end. 6 inch I beam would work fine. The upright end must not be beyond the throat of the firepit.

[I see my hands]

Not "an andiron".. a pair of andirons.
Period Furniture Hardware 123 Charles St., PO Box 314 Charles Street Station Boston, MA 02114 tel: 617-227-0758

[Sally'sConcerns]

Hmmm, not sure where I learned to retain some ash but I've always kept at least an inch or more of ash directly under where the coals will fall off the logs. The ash acts as kind of an insulator where the coals don't burn out as quickly.

[Fierce Allegiance]

And the bed of ashes was a surprise. I was always taught to clean the ashes away before building a fire.

BAD BAD BAD! You really want a good inch-2 inch layer of ash. My dad would bring in charcoal grill ashes for the first fire of the year.

[metmom]

You might want to try these folks for old-fashioned, hard to find items. They're an Amish company and still have sources for some of that kind of stuff.

Lehman's Non Electric

http://www.lehmans.com/?gclid=CPSE38e3tIkCFSoIFQodchSjUg