Andirons are one of those purchases you will make for your fireplace that can give it an immensely elegant quality. Its also possible to buy andirons that are more rustic and down-home, since there are literally hundreds of different designs available. Whichever you choose, they are an important, functional way to keep a fire burning.

Using Andirons in Your Fireplace
Andirons raise the wood from the ground, helping facilitate better air flow to the fire. Air is typically sucked from under the logs more efficiently, to keep a fire burning hotter and help it grow as it is just starting. They also prevent wood from rolling out of the fireplace as the logs burn down and break.

The simplest andiron designs are wrought iron, and are usually not very ornate. They are plain, but do their job as well as solid brass designs, and at a much lower cost. Solid brass andirons can be as much as $1,500 for a pair, while plain iron is closer to $50.

Andirons are known by different names in different regions of America. The northern states commonly use the term andirons. Southern states call them dog irons or fire dogs. The word itself was derived from the Old English word aundiren, and also influenced by the Old French andier.