How to Buy a Fireplace Bellows

If you've ever spent time blowing into your fireplace to get dying embers to ignite on a new piece of wood, then you will appreciate the need for a bellows. No fireplace should be without one. You can avoid the ashes blowing back in your face and get the fire going easily without wearing yourself out.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Consider your décor. Bellows come in different wood styles and often are displayed near the fireplace, so get one that complements your current style. For example, if you have a lot of dark wood in the room, consider a cherry bellows.

2. Get the right size bellows for your needs. If you have a smaller firebox, go for one of the smaller bellows, about 14 or 15 inches. If you get one that is too big, you may blow too much air onto the fire and get blowback, just as if your face was too close and blowing too hard.

3. Decide on your budget. Plan to spend more than $100 if you want a bellows that is very decorative. You can get a nice, functional bellows made with a little wood and rubber for under $20 at most fireplace stores or big box home improvement retailers.

4. Look for a bellows with longer handles so that you don't have to bend too close to the fire to blow on it.

Resources

• Find low prices on some nice, hand-carved bellows.
• Bu unique hand-painted bellows for your fireplace.
• Choose from a large selection of fireplace accessories.