Wood stove tool set that's not crap!

[ameador1]

We've been back in northern country for the last three winters now and I have had to buy a new set of wood stove tools (ash shovel, ash broom, poker, log "grabber" thing) because the ash shovel and brooms keep wearing out. The bristles on the brooms burn up over time and the shovel heads keep falling off.

We have a 3" lip just under the front door of our stove - whenever we open the door, a small amount of ash falls out on this lip. But, this lip is also VERY hot. So, if the broom uses plastic or straw bristles, they burn up cleaning the ash off. I haven't found a tool set where you can buy a new set of broom bristles or just the shovel! The set we have now seems like a nice heavy built, twisted steel, set and it is pretty as well.

The ash shovels have all been very lightly tack welded. So after shifting the ashes/embers around on the bottom grates to get the loose ash to fall through, these week welds eventually fail.

I can't see having to throw away the working pieces just to be able to get another matching set with a new broom and shovel.

Is there any bands or particular models out there that you guys have came across that have replaceable bristles and well build parts that don't fail so easily? I hate re-buying these each year. We spent a decent amount on this set last year hoping a more expensive set would fair better, but even after the $80 or $90 or so, we're still in the same boat.

We're getting ready to buy another set now, so your advice/recommendations would be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

Andrew

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I bought my stove tools at WalMart. The "good" set of tools from my stove dealer was $170. Eff that. The WalMart set was $8. I'm going on 4 years with it and nothing broken so far. Don't get me wrong, they are a steaming pile but for $8 who cares?

 

[thinkxingu]

Hello There,
Check out Craigslist--I got a 'brand new' set that some rich peeps bought to jazz up their fireplace but never used. It was a $300 or so solid brass set, and I got it for $40. Reminded me of all those home theatres I installed in the 90's--people would spend $60-70K on a home theatre and, when it was done, go out to a movie.

S

 

[greythorn3]

hahah! thats some funny junk! i just got a old set a inharated from my mother, the heads are all loose though so im gonan weld them on good and tight. they are steel, thats one good thing about steel... repairing.

 

[atomichawg]

(broken link removed to http://www.pilgrimhearth.com/Hearth/PilgrimToolSets.asp)

This is one of the sponsors. The compact stove set looks pretty sweet.

(broken link removed to http://www.pilgrimhearth.com/retail/ProductDetail.asp?pCategory=Tools&pStockCode=18019&pBrandImage;=/images/GradientPilgrimLogo.jpg)

 

[Fsappo]

http://www.pilgrimhearth.com/Hearth/PilgrimToolSets.asp

This is one of the sponsors. The compact stove set looks pretty sweet.

(broken link removed to http://www.pilgrimhearth.com/retail/ProductDetail.asp?pCategory=Tools&pStockCode=18019&pBrandImage;=/images/GradientPilgrimLogo.jpg)

Pilgrim natural iron or black iron sets are very sturdy. I'm not sure of a broom brush made out of a material that wont burn or melt.

 

[Fsappo]

I bought my stove tools at WalMart. The "good" set of tools from my stove dealer was $170. Eff that. The WalMart set was $8. I'm going on 4 years with it and nothing broken so far. Don't get me wrong, they are a steaming pile but for $8 who cares?

Bigg Redd, that sign in your profile is priceless...

 

[Stevebass4]

why are you cleaning hot coals from the ash lip in the first place - does that much fall out when when you re-load? i'd think about the position of the wood inside the stove

the only time i use the broom (from the kick ass set Fossil sent me) is when the stove is cold

 

[gpcollen1]

After seeing what the stove shops were selling sets for, I authorized the wife to purchase the set she saw at Costco. Those sets are friggin great.

I don't see them online so maybe try your local store. Mine are pewter colored and have held up very well for 3 years and counting.

Good and inexpensive sets are out there...

 

[BrotherBart]

The ones I use came from Wal-Mart. The brass finished ones beside the stove for looks are a $75 set from Home Depot that I bought for $9.99 at year end closeout two years ago. The three dollar tin ash shovel from Wal-Mart has to be on its ninth or tenth year.

 

[deck2]

I bought my set from end of season Home Depot deal 2 years ago and the rack also a small wood holder, seem to be well made and I am still using them.

 

[heatwise]

i see sets out on the curb on trash nite around here, just saw one last week. i have seen them in thrift stores and looks like the real nice ones are priced at around $15. years ago we bought a nice set from an antique/junktique store for about $25 i honestly only use the shovel and im considering getting a short handle shovel and can like the ones at tsc or other places. pete

 

[ameador1]

Our stove is front and top loading. Once winter gets into full swing - the stove never goes cold/cool. It is our only heat source and it can go for a very long time (months at a time) without getting a cool down. So the ash lip is alomost always VERY hot. The stove can take larger pieces of wood from the front, so I sometimes need to use the front door to get pieces of wood in that won't go through the top. To get a full night burn or to have a full day burn while I'm at work, I have to load the stove full to the top. Thus, ash does bank up against the front door. I can go through the top to shift some of the ash away from the front door before I need to open it, but there is a small gap between the stove body and the seal on the door where ash falls, that I cannot access - so when I open the door it falls out. Probably enough to fill a table spoon or two. So, I either leave it there to look like crap, or sweep it off. It's not the ash that burns the bristles as much as the heat of the ash lip itself. By the end of a winter there are no more broom bristles left.

I was wondering about getting the shovel re-welded - better than factory. I might pursue that route further. But then I still have the broom issue. I would have figured some place out there would offer an option to replace bristles instead of whole iron/steel sets of tools. I must say I did just find a small stove broom at Tractor Supply that is sold by itself - but then that kindof turns the broom with the toolset into a thing of beauty instead of usefulness.

Anyway, I appreciate you comments. I think I might look at having a local welder modify my shovel and my broom so the weld is better and I can replace the bristles myself - even if I have to sacrifice a regular sweeper broom for bristles every so often. I can almost replace my bristles as it is but the manufacturer flattened the steel just above a cap that holds the bristles together, so the cap cannot be moved up to handle shaft to allow bristle replacement. I'm sure the welder can remove this flattened spot so I can replace the bristles and then put a screw or other kind of removable stopper above the cap to hold the bristles in place.

Thanks!

Andrew

 

[ansehnlich1]

Hey my wife and I have an antique shop, anyway, we're always crusin' through antique malls lookin' for deals.

I'm always on the lookout for loggin tools at antique shops and have found a heavy duty poker, along with a great cast iron stove shovel. My wife always wants to buy a "set" but I keep telling her the stuff I have is "UTILITARIAN"

I built a coal rake myself. I have found 'em at antique shops but was too cheap to pay the asking price, can't remember what it was, I just got pizzed and went home and built my own.

My little broom works fine, it's a true hearth broom, I think the bristles are somewhat fire retardant, but I don't often get 'em into the red hots.

I also have just the shovel end of a fireplace shovel, no handle, and use it like a dustpan, works great. I just drilled the rivets out of it and use the shovel part only.

So, poker, rake, shovel, shovel without handle, and broom....that's all I need....and welding gloves, haha, ain't seen the "show us your burns thread yet" hmmmm, it's likely on the way!

....knocks on wood....

 

[southland]

I use the cheap set that came with the used Buck insert that I bought. If anything falls out when I reload (which rarely happens), I use the shovel to scoop it up. What I wish I had is a good rake to pull the coals to the front of the firebox when I reload.

However, my favorite stove tool is my welding gloves.

 

[afblue]

http://store.woodstove.com/xcart/home.php?cat=298

First tool set I have seen with an ash rake instead of the useless tongs most come with. Little pricey but it looks like welded wrough iron.

 

[madison]

Pilgrim

 

[kenny chaos]

My cheesey set has got to be close to 40 years old.
Any tool has to be used properly, especially the cheap ones.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I use a stamped steel dust pan to clean my ash lip. I just shovel the coals and ash back into the stove. A pair of steel rods with a 90* bend a few inches from the end do the other chores. When it's time to sweep up the hearth a small bench brush does the job.

None of it matches, but who cares? When company comes over I throw it into a wood bin.


Matt

 

[Dieselbreath]

I had a similar problem with my fp set. Brushes were worn out but set was too nice to throw away. After searching the internet was able to order & buy a replacement brush which bolted right on. Was very happy. Can't remember the site right now but if you have problem finding a replacement let me know & I'm sure I can find it again.
Dan