Fireplace Grates Buyer's Guide

Are you in the market for a new fireplace grate or looking to learn about them? You've come to the right place. There are many different fireplace grates out there, and there are a few factors to consider when picking the right one for your hearth. This article will help you find the right grate to fit your needs.

What are Fireplace Grates?

A fireplace grate is a log holder that sits directly on the fireplace hearth, holding the logs up to improve the flow of oxygen to the fire. As the fire burns, the ash falls through the grate onto the hearth floor and gives your fire a clean and healthy output, keeping the burn temperatures higher.

Why Get One?

Fireplace grates are a great addition because they improve the lifespan of your fireplace, provide a better quality burn, and lighten the workload of maintaining the fire. How do they do all this? We'll explain.

When logs or coal sits on a fire grate, you get an efficient fire with more pleasing flames. That's because, as we mentioned earlier, a grate improves oxygen flow to your fire, which makes igniting and maintaining your fire easier. And when you keep the fire off the floor, you also help draft the smoke directly into the chimney rather than into your house. In some cases, you can fix a smoky fireplace with a grate. A fireplace grate will also keep the heat off the floor of your fireplace, which, in turn, adds to the lifespan of your hearth.

A grate will also make your fireplace cleaner and easier to maintain. Each grate has small gaps or holes between its bars, allowing only small sections of logs and embers to fall through. These small pieces will burn down to a fine ash, allowing you to quickly and easily brush and scoop them away for cleaning. Also, grates have upturned ends, meaning logs are always falling toward the fire and not out of the fireplace.

What If You Already Have a Fireplace Grate?

So you've bought a fireplace and the manufacturer provided you with a grate, right? Well, this is common. Factory grates are usually low cost models that offer very little log control. In some cases, those models do have upturned grate fingers that keep logs from accidentally escaping the fireplace; however, they don't come with rear fingers in most cases. This means your logs will roll off the grate and hit the back wall of the fireplace. These impacts can cause the liner of the fireplace to crack.

There is one advantage, though; factory grates are attached to grate retainers that keep the grate in place. So when you move the grate upward, you can easily remove embers. But remember, factory grates are usually of a simple design and typically only work well for artificial logs. If you plan on burning cordwood, an upgrade is recommended.

Before You Buy

Now, before you purchase a fireplace grate, there a few things to keep in mind. You'll need the right size grate for your hearth. And, you need to determine what type of grate would work best for you. Once that's finished, you should learn about the brand you're going to put your trust in. But never fear, we're going to do all that right now, quick and easy.

Finding the Right Size Fireplace Grate

Measuring for your fireplace grate is a simple process. If your fireplace or stove did not come with a grate, you can follow these steps to determine which size grate you require.

• Measure the width at the front and back of the fireplace opening.
• Measure the depth of the firebox.
• Subtract six inches from each measurement.

With your measurements in hand, you can start your search for a grate that matches your numbers. A properly sized grate will allow at least a 3-inch buffer zone on all sides. If the measurements of your fireplace grate are too close to the size of the firebox, go smaller. It's that simple.

Types of Fireplace Grates

• Standard Steel Bar Stock Grate — These are also called open grates, and these steel bar stock units are considered your low-cost basic model. They have no ember mesh but consist of square steel bar grate fingers welded across support legs.
• Stainless Steel Bar Stock Grate — Following the same design of the standard bar grate, this version trades carbon steel for 304 or 430-grade stainless steel. These grates can be used indoors or outdoors. They are ideal for outdoor applications where both fireplace use and weather team together against grate longevity.
• Diamond Cross Section Steel Grate with Ember Mesh — With this style, you'll see larger steel bars forged into a diamond cross-section, which increases tensile strength and prolongs the lifespan of the grate. The cross-section steel grate has an expanded mesh tray welded to the bottom of the grate. This mesh can hold coals close to your fuel logs, keeping the temperatures high for a better burn.
• Cast Iron Basket Grates — These basket grates are designed to work similar to an ember mesh tray. But instead of a mesh grid, this grate has small openings in the base, which allow embers to drop through to the floor of the firebox. This puts larger coals closer to the fuel. A basket grate is excellent for wood burning or coal appliances. Most are single-piece designs, so there are no welds or fasteners that could fail.
• Purpose Built Self Feeding Grates — Alright, so what's a self-feeding fireplace grate? The term "self-feeding" applies to any grate designed to keep logs or coal moving to the center. These grates have a steep concave design, so the fuel is always centered, keeping the fire compact and hot. Usually, self-feeding grates are cast iron, but there are tapered steel bar grates as well that perform the same function.

Leading Brands

• Uniflame — If you can't spend too much, look at Uniflame. They have a wide range of sturdy fireplace grates that won't break the bank.
• Panacea — This brand has been around for more than five decades, crafting a variety of fireplace products. Many people throughout the years have put their trust in a Panacea grate.
• Pleasant Hearth — Not only does Pleasent Hearth make fireplace grates, but they also make fireplace doors, screens, and much more. The company tests their products to meet the standards in durability and quality. If you're looking at purchasing more than one fireplace accessory but don't want the hassle of searching here and there, Pleasent Hearth may be right for you.
• Vestal Manufacturing — In business for more than 65 years, Vestal Manufacturing crafts a variety of fireplace accessories made from cast iron and steel bar. Based in the U.S., this company puts its focus on quality above all else.
• Pilgrim — This manufacturer currently crafts one of the nations best selling fireplace grates. A product from Pilgrim is built heavy with strong welds and smooth seams. Pilgrim is so confident in its product that they offer a lifetime warranty with your purchase.

Shipping

When you order your fireplace grate, expect the package to arrive by small parcel. While grates are heavy, they ship based on their dimensions. When you receive the package, carefully check your grate for damage. If you find something, report it immediately. That's because some manufacturers only cover issues found shortly after purchase.

How to Care For Your Fireplace Grate

Now that you have your grate, it's crucial to care for it properly. But first, it's good to have a general idea of the lifespan you can expect for your grate. We'll go into that here.

• If you have a standard fireplaces, you should see steel bar stock grates last about three seasons before you need to replace it.
• If you've got a diamond cross-section steel grate, it should last about a decade.
• Cast iron basket grates will last you anywhere between 5-7 years if you're using wood. With coal, expect it last 2-3 years.
• Self-feeding grates will last between 4-5 years.

Now that you know how long your grate should last, it's up to you to maximize the life expectancy with proper maintenance. (Note: If your fireplace sees heavy use, check your grate for damage at least once a week.) Here are some general care tips to use for your grate.

• When cleaning, knock off chunks of ash first.
• Use a wire brush to clear away smaller ash clumps.
• Dampen a rag and rinse any remaining material you find. Only use water, as harsh cleaning agents may leave a residue that can be poisonous when it burns off.
• Let it dry.

Beyond that, be sure to check the owner's manual and warranty information for anything special your grate may require.

Summary

You now know how to find the right grate for your fireplace, how to accurately measure for your grate, the best brands to seek, and how to take care of your grate. You are all set to browse our top selection of fireplace grates. With this knowledge, you can be confident that you'll make the right choice. However, if you do have any unanswered questions, our NFI certified specialists are always here to help!

Helpful Links

• Fireplace Maintenance Guide
• The 5 Biggest Mistakes Made When Purchasing a Fireplace
• Other Fireplace Accessories