SPRING - SUMMER SALE
FREE SHIPPING and two cans of our fine polish on purchases over $1400 (through September 30, 2023).
We now accept credit cards! Please contact us for more information.
Ask us about our
Custom Built Hearth Screens!
See our large collection of Antiques and treaures at
JGallagherantiques in Norwich, NY
Antique Andirons
The fireplace has been said to be the heart of the home, a place to relax in style and comfort on cool days or nights; it's the centerpiece of the room. Now you need the perfect accessories to match the period of your house or your favorite decorating time in history. Where do you look when you need a hard to find pair of period fireplace tools to match your antique andirons? How about a hearth footman, coal hod, or a pair of jamb hooks to complete your fireplace? You've come to the right place; we have what you need!
Pictured on our Antique Andirons website is a small fraction of our large and varied inventory; we can help you find the exact item(s) you need to complete your decorating dream in timeless elegance. Our andirons are professionally polished to a glowing shine (we offer expert polishing services for all fireplace equipment) while leaving the vestiges of centuries of use intact. Our andirons are never lacquered, and will acquire a satin sheen over time.
Over the past ten years gas modified fireplace treatments have become popular and very realistic, and our antique andirons easily blend with these treatments by positioning their ceramic log holders on the billet bars of the antique andirons. Assorted crushed ceramic chips form a glowing mound around the billet bars that is both realistic and beautiful when the ceramic logs are turned on. We offer plating services for these traditional fireplace fixtures, and the chrome or silver like finish blends incredibly well with today's modern decor.
AntiqueAndirons.com is America's leading dealer in 18th and 19th century fireplace equipment, and since 1974, James Gallagher has furnished museums, historic restorations and private homes with a variety of antique fireplace andirons, tools, and equipment, spanning styles and eras. We can help you with whatever you need to suit your home decor and/or simply express your design taste.
Why not get in touch with us today to find that perfect complement to your fireplace, and allow us to provide you with the finest service and items possible. We're here for you.
Tips and Tricks
Are you safely using your home fireplace?
Here are several tips and tricks that will help you enjoy your home fireplace safely and easily.
First and very important!!
Open your damper in the fireplace firebox. The damper device is located at the top of the firebox leading to the chimney flue. The damper controls the air flow or "draw" up the chimney. No air "draw" and you have smoke backed up in your room. As you are checking your damper to make sure it is in the open position, take a strong flashlight and look up your chimney flue.
This is very important!!!
The chimney flue should be clean, free of creosote deposits (caused from burning improperly dried wood, these deposits can lead to a fire in your chimney). Your chimney flue should have no cracks or breakage leading up the chimney. If you feel there could be a problem, call a professional. Having a metal flue liner is good as it can easily professionally cleaned. This metal flue liner has a metal cap at its top to keep birds and squirrels out.
How to light a cozy blaze in your home fireplace. Two tips to remember before you start.
1.) Always use dry split seasoned hardwood.
2.) Before you light your friendly fire, roll a few pages of newspaper and set it ablaze. Hold this under the damper near the chimney flue for 10-15 seconds. This starts the air draw in your fireplace to insure success with the friendly fire.
Three ways to successfully start the fire in your home fireplace.
1.) The traditional way of starting a blaze in your fireplace is using tinder, kindling and split hardwood logs. Place the tinder; small dry wood splinters, pine needles or wadded newspaper, under small to medium sized dry kindling. This all should be under your iron grate or andiron dogs, on which your seasoned split hardwood is placed. When the tinder is light air is drawn under the irons and the wood will soon be blazing nicely. Add more split hardwood for a hot blaze.
2.) The high tech way of starting a blaze in your fireplace is using fire starter bricks. These are great and generally fool-proof way to start your home fire. They can be purchased at most hardware stores and large supermarkets.
Caution!!! use one brick at a time. Place one brick under your irons and light it, the wood will soon be blazing nicely. Add more split hardwood for a hot blaze.
3.) This was my favorite way to start our home fireplace blazes. Have my wife start them. Sadly for all of us, she no longer makes house calls.
Several Do's and Don'ts plus ideas for efficient home fireplace blazes.
- Do not burn green or wet firewood in your home fireplace.
- Do burn seasoned split hardwood in your home fireplace.
- Do not burn trash or any other wood other than seasoned in your home fireplace.
- Do not use lighter fluid to start your home fireplace fire.
- Have your flue and chimney checked periodically by a professional.
- It is better to reload your fire and have a small hot one than to overload your firebox trying for the all-day blaze, only to get a poor smoldering one.
