What are firedogs, and why do we need them?
Traditionally, a pair of firedogs were used to hold up the andiron. The andiron is the horizontal bar that supports the logs in an open fireplace. It is held above the ground in order for air to circulate around the fire so that the fire burns for as long as possible.
While originally the andiron (also called a firedog) was used to keep the firewood in place and to allow for air flow, today they are primarily used as a decorative accessory due to the fact that the fireplace grate has usurped their function.
However, if you buy an antique fireplace, you will notice that there are two posts on either side of the fireplace. Those are the andirons, or firedogs, and embellish horizontal iron bars. Firedogs have been around since the times of Ancient Greece and do not exclusively belong to the Victorian era. They were first used as supports for the spits when cooking meat.
Is there a difference between a firedog and an andiron?
No. An andiron and a firedog is exactly the same thing. Americans use the term firedog. In other countries these items are called Moon Idols or Moon Horns.
