Preparing Your Fireplace for Cozy Fall & Winter Use

Winter can be one of the most exciting seasons of the year. Winter and the time leading up to it during the Fall is a time when we start to settle down, enjoy those things that keep us comfortable, and gather with our loved ones. The downside to winter? The cold! But luckily for you, you have a fireplace to make sure that you get through the colder months with ease.

A little prep work can go a long way in making sure that everything is ready ahead of time. What do you need to do? Let’s walk through some ways you can prepare a cozy winter fireplace in anticipation of the season!

Winterize Your Fireplace With These Tips

One of the most important things to focus on when you’re learning how to prepare a fireplace for winter is winterizing it. What does this mean? Winterizing is just a term to describe all of the maintenance that goes into keeping your fireplace functional and effective.

While this might sound like a complicated process, the good news is that it’s quite easy to get your cozy winter fireplace ready. Here are a few key areas to address:

 
• Give It a Comprehensive Clean: If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your fireplace and chimney, now’s the perfect time to get it back into tip-top shape before you light another fire in it. This means scrubbing the bricks (or other surface material), clearing out ash and debris, and making sure that there are no clogs in your fireplace or chimney that could result in smoke gathering inside your home once you light it. Depending on the extent of what needs to be done, you could consider hiring a local contractor to help you with this project.
• Conduct a Full Fireplace/Chimney Inspection (or Reach Out to a Professional): A cozy winter fireplace is a safe one. When you winterize your fireplace, it’s essential that you inspect all components to ensure that everything is in working order. This goes for your chimney as well, which should be undamaged and ready for winter! If you’re not sure what to look for, look for local specialists in your area who can come for an inspection and offer a quote for the work needed.*
• Move Out Any Items That Might Easily Catch Fire: When figuring out how to prepare your fireplace for winter, you might not focus too much on the accessories surrounding it. The reality is that, when your fireplace is out of use, it’s quite easy to put decorations in places you otherwise might not. Remove any flammable objects from the immediate space next to the fireplace so you don’t end up dealing with an emergency next time you light a fire!
• Install a Chimney Cap: A cozy winter fireplace can be quickly ruined by uninvited critters. If you don’t currently have a chimney cap, now is the perfect time to get one!
• Check the Integrity of Fireplace Accessories: The last thing you want during the winter is for something like your fire screen to fail while there’s a raging fire in your fireplace. See if all of your accessories are still in good condition. If not, there are plenty of stellar fireplace accessories out there to replace your current items. 

Of course, some of these directions might not apply to those who don’t have a wood-burning fireplace. If you have a gas fireplace, electric fireplace, or a wood stove, make sure that you clean it out, inspect it for any issues, and get all of the materials you need for the winter months so you have a cozy winter fireplace you can rely on!

Make Your Fireplace Cozier With the Right Accessories

Choosing to winterize your fireplace is the first step toward a cozier fireplace. However, it’s not the only step in our guide on how to prepare your fireplace for winter. Once you’ve conducted the proper maintenance, inspected your fireplace and chimney to ensure they’re in stellar condition, and double-checked your current accessories, you might be looking for additional ways to make your fireplace winter-friendly. The best way to do this is with the support of fireplace accessories.

Here are a few key fireplace accessories for a cozy winter fireplace.

 
• Hearth Rugs: Kneeling on the cold hard floor during the winter is something that no one wants to do. Fortunately, there are hearth rugs! Hearth rugs are cozy, decorative pieces that go right in front of the fireplace to ensure that you have something to rest on as you tend to the raging fire.
• Wood Holders: Wet wood isn’t conducive to starting a fire. However, you might not have the right storage for wood or you don’t want to have to travel to your garage each time you want wood. A wood holder is one of the most essential tools for any cozy winter fireplace, keeping your wood dry and accessible.
• Ash Buckets: You’re going to have to clean your fireplace regularly as you light it more frequently. There are a ton of cleaning accessories out there to use, and ash buckets are one of the top ones among accessories like brushes and bins.
• Bellows: Fire needs air to thrive, especially as you move it around and get it going. Bellows help you produce that air to get the roaring fire you need.                                                                                                                                    

Find Your Cozy Winter Fireplace at Fireside Appliance!

Are you looking for a new fireplace or a new fireplace insert for the winter? If so, look no further than Fireside Appliance. Beyond a vast selection of fireplace products, we also offer a 30-day price match guarantee and competitive prices, financing options available for your new fireplace, and delivery available to you as well. Inquire for a quote or speak to a sales expert today to find the perfect fireplace for your winter needs!

*Please note that Fireside BBQ & Appliances does not offer fireplace maintenance or ongoing maintenance for any products purchased online or at our showrooms. The above is intended for informational purposes only.