Fiery matters

Deadly Ferret · 12 Nov 2006 at 12:44

Got the real fire in one of the living rooms going yesterday for the first time in years. It's amazing how it heats up the hallway outside the room.

I've been using my hand in a welding style glove to poke it, but it's far from ideal and I think a few of the hairs on my arm got frazzled. I just searched 'poker' on the Argos website, and every single result was to do with cards! I know real fires aren't found in the average home, but they must still be in use enough to warrant a huge retailer of odds & sods having pokers?! :confused:

Aside from a poker, I'd also like to get hold of some appropriate tongs and a shovel.

The other thing is fuel. Could anyone living in North or Central London recommend a cost effective supplier that delivers please?

Deadly Ferret · 12 Nov 2006 at 12:56

Thanks Penski. I feel a bit silly for not thinking of those places myself.

Deadly Ferret · 12 Nov 2006 at 13:05

Complete set of 'fireside companions' at B&Q for a tenner, and I'll get a brush too!

Deadly Ferret · 14 Nov 2006 at 20:17

Sorted now, got a fireside set from Argos after all that. Turns out my search capabilities aren't what they ought to be. Despaired at the thought of travelling an hour to my nearest B&Q when there's an Argos 5 minutes from here, so went back and searched 'fireside'...which I should have thought of to begin with.

Cost £15, but it seems a solid and well built set of tools, and they have a nice enough appearance.

semi-pro waster said:
I know this is probably obvious but if the fire hasn't been used for years have you had the chimney cleaned first or at least checked out?

Yeah, I was thinking of doing that but then my inherent risk-taking nature overtook the apprehension, and I just lit the beggar up & made sure I saw smoke coming out of the chimney.

Deadly Ferret · 14 Nov 2006 at 20:43

Well I am nearly thirty. I have to get settled, get curtains drawn.

Deadly Ferret · 14 Nov 2006 at 20:52

Freefaller said:
I'll buy you a pack of Werthers original for Christmas

Sweety!

I'm waiting on a delivery of giant faux Mongolian throws. Once they arrive, I'll be chucking an old sofa in there, strategically positioned near the hearth. Next project will be to restore an amazing antique table I found cast out by a neighbour, perfect for a coffee table but it has a problem with its pedestal that'll need some imaginative modding.

Andr3w said:
ohh it looks really nice, where do you get your wood from? Chop it yourself?

Haven't found a local supplier yet. Still getting by on old scraps of building wood and a huge mound of cardboard boxes that'd built up over the years. I think I've only got about ten hours worth of fuel left now though.

Deadly Ferret · 14 Nov 2006 at 20:58

iBankAllDay said:
I know my Dad gets his delivered by the tonne from a local supplier, relatively cheap; £40 p/t I think he said. You can buy it in smaller bags of varying KG denominations too.

Has he ever tried coal? If so, what made him decide on wood? How long does a tonne last?

I don't know much about fuel. I'd always thought wood would probably be nicer burning, but coal would be easier to deal with and store.