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Afire iron is any metal instrument for tending a fire.
There are three types of tools commonly used to tend a smallfire, such as an indoor fireplace fire oryule log: thespade, thetongs and the poker itself. These tools make it possible to handle a fire without risk ofburns orblisters.
Afireplace poker (also known as afire iron) is a short, rigid rod made of fireproof material used to adjustcoal andwood fuel burning in afireplace, and can be used to stir up a fire. A fireplace poker is usuallymetal and has a point at one end for pushing burning materials (or a hook for pulling/raking, or a combination) and a handle at the opposite end, sometimes with aninsulated grip.Iron is the most popular metal from which the pokers are wrought.Brass is a more expensive alternative for a home poker set.[1]
Aslice bar has a flatter tip and can be used to stir up the fire or to clear the grates of ashes. Other fire irons include thefire rake (not to be confused with thefirefighter's tool),fire tongs andfire shovel.
Many fireplace sets also include a small broom for sweeping up ash.
In Japan, traditional fire-tending device for a Japanesebrazier (hibachi) is a pair of long metal chopsticks, calledhibashi (火箸, fire chopsticks), used to pick up and manipulate thecharcoal.
As a steam locomotive runs, by-products are produced by the coal fire such asash andclinker. If these waste products are allowed to build up in the fire, there would be an adverse effect on the performance of the locomotive. A fireman will employ various fire irons in order to clean the fire, whilst the locomotive stands. Below is a list of different types of fire iron that would typically be carried aboard a locomotive during operation. Note: not all the fire irons listed would be carried at once, only the ones needed:
The earliest and most primitive pokers were likely made from the same material as the fuel (that is, wood in the form of a hefty branch).[citation needed] This wooden tool may colloquially be called a poker or a "firestick". The first[citation needed] successful mass production of stokers as a part of a fireplace-set was designed and manufactured inCape Girardeau,Missouri by the RL Hendrickson Manufacturing Corporation in 1898 at a price ofUS$1.[citation needed] Today, one of the sets in fair condition can fetch more than US$3500 atauction.[citation needed]