Fireplace grates are a necessary component for any fireplace or fire pit, as it provides the safe and secure foundation upon which the fire burns.
The grate is positioned just above the ash pan and has numerous important functions. Not only does it serve to filter falling ash from the burning fire above, but it improves the quality of the flames produced and increases the heat output.
There are a variety of grate options available on the market, varying in styles, material and finish. However, there are a number of functional differences that you ought to be aware of too. For instance, certain grates are only suitable for burning coal, while others are designed to accommodate wood burning.
Once you are aware of the type of grate you require, you can begin choosing the best fireplace grate for your needs and benefit from the best iron and steel grates available.
Quick Picks: Fireplace Grate Reviews
- Sizes available: 18-36"
- Material: Heavy Duty Steel
- Black Metal Finish
This is one of the best selling, heavy duty steel fireplace grates and it promotes better burning due to enhanced airflow, which works by lifting your firewood off the floor allowing air to circulate.
This feature results in more improved fuel burning and helps to ensure the smoke from the fire is circulated up the chimney and away from your indoor living space more efficiently.
A great bonus is the ember metal mesh retainer that helps to trap and retain hot embers, helping to retain heat and keep the flames hotter for longer.
In addition, the legs help raise the grate, allowing more oxygen to reach the fire, which is an essential component of fire generation, therefore the increased oxygen flow results in stronger flames and improved home heating.
For convenience, it is ready to be used immediately as it no installation or assembly is required. Importantly, it is is worth noting that this grate is designed for fireplaces that utilise wood for fuel to burn as it secures the firewood neatly above the bars, ensuring 360 degrees airflow.
This is opposed to just the usual 180 degrees air flow when the embers and wood is led directly on the bottom surface of the fireplace or stove.
Since its quite small and light, it works great with fireplaces and wood burning stoves. It’s compact and well designed, so it is both a functional and nice looking hearth accessory.
- Sizes available: 18-36"
- Material: Heavy Duty Steel
- Black Metal Finish
This is another great choice and although more expensive than the grate above, it’s ability to increase heat efficiency and high-quality finish make it a worthwhile investment.
The grate has 6 bars that holds fuel for burning and allows ash to easily fall below for easy cleaning.
Similar to the first type of grate, it results in a better burning process and gives a better quality flame for improved home heating.
This grate is available in 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 inches. This means you can select a suitable size for your fireplace. The larger the grate size you choose, the higher the price you have to pay for it.
This type of grate has a finish that is resistant to heat, meaning it has increased safety for long duration burning. Lastly, a great bonus is that the solid steel bars are thick meaning the heat is retained longer and radiated throughout your living space effectively.
- Size available: 24"
- Material: Cast Iron
- Black Metal Finish
This fireplace grate is made of cast iron and has small openings or holes, making it ideal for coal or wood burning.
When woods start to burn, smaller portions of used wood and ash fall through the holes that will make a base full easy to remove ash and soot.
This also results in a more intense heat and cleaner fumes. In addition, it also allows the smoke and fumes to easily go up through the chimney and not into your home. Another great advantage is that a grate helps to protect your fireplace since woods and logs are not directly burning on the granite or stone hearth.
Compared to other fireplace and stove grates we reviewed, this one is surprisingly well priced. Regardless of the smaller price tag price; this grate does an excellent job, the only limitation is aesthetic preferences. Will it look good alongside your fireplace and decor?
- Size available: 24x24-36x36"
- Material: Steel
- Black Metal Finish
The Uniflame grate is, without a doubt, a perfect fireplace grate for large fireplace owners.
With the smallest option being 24×24″, the hexagonal shape is a superior design for keeping the logs and coals from rolling out of the grate and into the hearth.
With long steel protrusions on each of the 6 sides of this grate, your will have no issues nor will you suffer the frustration of trying to balance logs on the fire again!
The design doesn’t just stop at being protective of your hearth though, as it’s shape allows maximum air flow over a larger surface area of the fire, keeping it burning for longer.
The smaller charcoal lumps and burnt pieces of wood fall through the holes between the bars, as with most other similar fireplace grates. It makes cleaning up a lot easier when the fire is done and helps to keep the fire burning too.
What Is A Fireplace Grate?
As the name suggests a fireplace grate is a metal component that provides many important functions. Situated above the ash pan, it contains bars, allowing ash to easily fall through the gaps and into the pan ensuring your fireplace and the fumes produced are as clean and healthy as possible.
In addition, some grates can improve the safety of your fire by making it burn at a slower rate, making it safe to keep alight through the night time.
Another great function of grates is that they raise the fire above the ground, thus improving oxygen flow to the fire and in turn helping to improve the flame quality and heat output.
There are many different styles of fire grates including modern and the more traditional grates. However, another factor to be aware of is the type of material and the finish, since they are typically designed with a certain fuel type in mind. This includes:
Cast iron grates – These are more suited for burning charcoal, although can also be used to burn wood and logs too.
Steel bar grates– These are suited for burning wood only since the bars are too wide to hold coal.
Benefits Of Owning a Fireplace Grate
In general, a fireplace grate enhances the overall functionality of a fireplace in terms of its heat efficiency and safety. This is made possible through its design. A grate is like a stand that holds logs or wood for burning higher above or off the fireplace floor completely.
Because of space, it provides between the floor and the fuel; the oxygen in the air is able to circulate better ensuring improved burning and creating hotter flames.
Here are some of the other major reasons to own and use a fireplace grate:
For better insulation, fireplace grates are typically made of cast iron or solid steel. This promotes energy efficiency and ensures that heat is stored for longer, allowing it to disperse over time throughout your living space.
One of the common problems that a homeowner may encounter with fireplaces is that smoke circulates within the house instead of passing through the chimney. The fact that the airflow is better with a grate, means that the dirty smoke and ash doesn’t linger in your home as long. Instead, the resulting fumes will be drafted away up your chimney much more efficiently.
The distinct feature of a fireplace grate is that it has small holes or gaps between the bars. These spaces allow the ash and used fuel to easily fall away from the fire into the ash pan for easy access and removal.
Which Fireplace Grate Is Best For Your Home?
Choose the Correct Size – Fireplace grates come in various shapes and sizes. The size you choose usually determines the number of bars a grate has. Therefore, be mindful of the measurements when choosing your grate and think about the amount of fuel you like to use.
Choose the Correct Material and Finish – Remember that fireplace grates that are made of steel are recommended for wood burning. While the cast iron designs are ideal for fireplaces that will use coal as the fuel source to heat your home.
Final Words
The best fireplace grates can be purchased at an extremely reasonable price online, which is why so many people choose to source there grates there.
Like anything in life, it’s always wise to shop somewhere in the middle range, that way you can ensure you are not losing quality, yet aren’t wasting money on needless, additional gimmicks and features.
Just remember to think about the type of fuel you wish to burn, as this will dictate whether you should use a steel or cast iron grate.
About the Author
Dave Miller is a HVAC technician with over 10 years in the industry. Dave created HeatTalk with the ambition for it to become a resource for individuals looking for answers, whether they be a layman, student or a professional.
How much clearance should there be on the bottom of a grate for an outdoor fire pit? This is an open firpit, 36″ diameter. In other woods, how long should the legs be that support the grate? Is 3″ sufficient? I am having one custom made by a local steel fabricator.
Scott
I have a question about ember retainers that I noticed are attached to some of the grates I’ve looked at…are they necessary or is it better to buy a grate without one?
I have a question about ember retainers that I noticed are attached to some of the grates I’ve looked at…are they necessary or is it better to buy a grate without one?