Best Fireplace Grate (Reviews & Buyer’s Guide)

Do you want to get the best experience out of your fireplace, but you aren’t sure how to do that? Investing in a fireplace grate can help you get the hottest burning fire in the safest way possible. They allow for more efficient airflow, allowing your fires to burn and keep you warm.

There are several types of fireplace grates to choose from. So, how do you know which type will be the best for you? This guide will discuss the top 5 fireplace grates, what they do, how to pick one, and what features to pay attention to during your search.

Product Review

HY-C Liberty Foundry G800-27-BX Best Fireplace Grate – Produce More Heat

Description

If you are looking for a fireplace grate that will keep wood from rolling on every side, the HY-C Liberty is the grate for you. You will be able to use this grate with confidence knowing that your wood will burn evenly and properly to produce more heat.

The air circulation for this product is higher than other grates due to the height and design. There is no assembly required to get this grate in working order, so you can take it straight out of the box and start using it.

This grate offers three different sizes, making it possible to pick the best size for your fireplace. The leg clearance will be 2.5-inches or 4-inches depending on which size you decide to go with. This product is a durable, curved basket style creating an even heating ground for all of the wood.
Made of heavy-duty cast iron, this grate will add a nice touch to any fireplace. It will last you for a long time, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it for a while.

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Strong and durable material
• No assembly
• Logs won’t roll

Cons

• Might sag after extended use

Recommended?

The HY-C Liberty Foundry fireplace grate is a highly recommended product. The multiple sizes and clearance make it easy for this grate to fit in just about any fireplace.

InnFinest Log 6 Bar Fireplace Grate – Best Clearance & Wide Diamond V-shape Bars

Description

The InnFinest Log 6 Bar Fireplace Grate is made perfectly for indoor fireplaces but can also be used for an outdoor fire pit. The 6 durable bars are 3/4″ of thick steel. The wide diamond V-shape bars offer a solid rack for fire logs and kindling close together for easy lighting. There are four legs for maximum stability and to prevent collapsing from too much weight or heat.

Pros

• Four legs for stability
• Easy to clean
• 4-month warranty
• High clearance

Cons

• Manufacturing defect of one short leg

Recommended?

This tool is highly recommended due to its versatility to be used for more than one purpose. The 4.25-inch clearance allows for maximum air flow and the best burning flame.

INNO Stage Fireplace Log Grate – Budget Friendly & Easy to Burn Wood

Description

The INNO Stage Fireplace Log Grate is made up of 7 steel bars in a long V-shape that makes it easy for firewood and kindling to stay in place. The wide bars make it easy to burn wood and coals securely and evenly. This is made for the hottest burning fire, and it is made to last.

Pros

• No assembly necessary
• Efficient air flow
• Durable

Cons

• Not fit for small fireplaces

Recommended?

The INNO Stage grate is recommended if you are looking for a strong and sturdy tool for a larger fireplace. The 4-inch clearance leaves plenty of room for air circulation underneath the wood, making it easy to have a high flame that heats your room quicker.

Minuteman International Tapered Fireplace Grate – Best Support & Excellent Air Flow

Description

The Minuteman International Tapered features a tapered design that allows for more wood in a stable manner. The space between each bar provides excellent air flow to keep the wood burning evenly. You can choose between four different sizes for this, so you can pick one that will fit your fireplace the best.

Pros

• Sturdy
• Several sizes offered
• Tapered design

Cons

• The bars are thinner than some other options

Recommended?

The Minuteman International is recommended because it is sturdy, is easy to fit into most fireplaces, and offers a tapered design to hold the wood in place at all times.

Hi-Flame Fireplace Log Grate – Overall Top Pick

Description

The Hi-Flame Fireplace Log features a heat resistant black matte finish that won’t peel when exposed to heat too often. The material used is a heavy-duty steel with bard that are solid and 1-inch by 5/16-inch. There are extra support legs placed in the middle to prevent sagging from too much wood weight. In addition to using this in your fireplace, you can also use it outside in your fire pit.

Pros

• Durable and stable
• Fits most fireplaces
• Heavy-duty steel

Cons

• Short clearance

Recommended?

The Hi-Flame Fireplace Log is highly recommended due to the added support in the middle to make sure there is no sagging from heat or wood weight. The black matte paint used is also commonly used inside of ovens, so you know it will hold up.

Buyer’s Guide

If you are looking for a great new addition for your fireplace that can supply you with several benefits, it is important to know exactly what you are looking for and why. Think about what features you want from your fireplace grate, such as the size, material, and durability. So, what can this tool do for you, your fireplace, and your home? Let’s take a look at a few of the important factors to consider when looking for a new addition to your fireplace

Do You Need a Fireplace Grate?

It is extremely important to keep your fireplace clean and provide it with regular maintenance. A fireplace grate can help you keep your fireplace clean and set it up for easy maintenance. But what exactly does it do?

This tool is designed to set inside your fireplace to hold the wood that you are going to burn. It will keep the wood in a dry place off the fireplace floor until you are ready to burn it. It will also help you burn a stronger fire while putting less wear on your fireplace.

Better Air Flow

The way your air flows through your chimney can make a huge difference for the ease of starting fires. Also, as soon as your fire gets going, it will burn hotter and more efficiently because the air will be able to move underneath the wood. Due to the air flow, the smoke released from your fire will go straight up your chimney and not enter your house at all.

Protects Fireplace Floor

Fireplaces are extremely durable, but that doesn’t mean they are invincible. The more you burn a fire, the quicker your fireplace floor will start to show side effects. Using one of these amazing tools will minimize the wear of your fireplace to significantly reduce the cost of repairs.

Keeps Fuel in Place

If you are a frequent fireplace fire kind of family, you will know how hard it is to get your stack to stay in place once you light the fire on the bottom. This can cause issues like hot logs rolling out of the fireplace, making it super dangerous to use the fireplace at all. You will be able to keep all of your wood secure and in one safe place, so you don’t need to worry about a red-hot piece of wood rolling out of your fireplace.

Features to Consider

It is important to know what features you should consider when looking for a new addition to your fireplace. If you want to make sure your grate will fit in your fireplace, you will need to consider the size of the grate and the fireplace. You also need to think about the material the grate is made out of and the number of legs for durability and stability.

Size

The size is probably the most important things to consider when you are looking for a fireplace grate. You want to make sure you get one that is big enough to hold the amount of wood you need but not too big that it won’t fit in your fireplace. The best way to find out the size that you need is to measure the inside of your fireplace.

Check the width, length, and height to ensure a proper fit. You will want to choose one that is about 6-inches smaller on all sides for maximum efficiency.

Price

This will depend on your budget. However, it is important to make sure that your new tool is a decent price. You don’t want to buy one that is too cheap, but you also don’t want to purchase one that is outside of your budget.

If you see a price on a great that seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. An underpriced item will usually lack quality. This means you will have to replace your grate more often, which could end up costing you more in the long run.

Material

Picking the material for your grate also has to do with the quality you will get from the product. Each material will deliver a different experience, so you need to make sure you pick the right material for what you need.

Cast iron grates will have small gaps at the bottom so the wood and coal can burn together. They will also be heavy, which means they will be able to hold more wood at one time.

Steel grates have bars that are set apart by their thickness. The thicker the bars, the better they are. If you pick steel for your material, and it comes with thin bars, they might not hold up very well. Steel grates can withstand a very high heat.

If you are looking for a sturdy, stable grate that will hold a large amount of wood, consider cast iron. If you want something that can withstand a high heat just fine, consider steel.

Number of Legs

The number of legs a grate has will determine the stability it gives. In some cases, a tool that doesn’t have enough leg support will start to sag in the middle due to the heat exposure and the weight of the wood. You should look for one that has additional support in the middle if you plan on using large amounts of wood at one time.

Types to Keep in Mind

There are several different types of grates that are available for you to choose from. Here are a few types that you should keep in mind during your search.

Cast Iron Basket Grates

This type of matetrial will have little gaps in the base allowing embers to drop through, allowing larger coals to stay closer to fuel. This option is very similar to a mesh grid, except for there is no mesh involved. Cast iron will come in one piece, so you do not need to worry about putting it together before use. This is a great choice if you are looking to burn coal or wood.

Stainless Steel Bar Stock Grate

Stainless steel is designed with a 304 or 430-grade stainless steel, making it the perfect candidate for indoor and outdoor use. Stainless-steel material is recommended for occasional use, not daily use.

Standard Steel Bar Stock Grate

This type of model will be a low-cost option, perfect for those on a budget. They will not feature a mesh for embers, but they do feature supportive legs for some of the square bar.

Advantages

Picking the right fireplace grate will provide you with several benefits. Let’s take a look at what these benefits are.

Less Work

If you usually store your wood on the floor of your fireplace, this will create more work for you. Why? You will have to constantly move the logs around when you want to start a fire. With a fireplace grate, the wood will always be ready to go because it will always be sitting right on the grate. This makes it easy to focus on other things instead of constantly tending your fire.

Fireplace Floor Protection

If there is too much heat on the floor of the fireplace, it can cause some wear on the surface. If you use a fireplace grate, the wood will be kept off of the floor of the fireplace. This means your fireplace will have a cleaner floor and need maintenance less often.

No Smoke in the House

Burning firewood causes a lot of smoke. It is frustrating when your fireplace lets smoke into your home as you burn a fire. With the use of a fireplace grate, you will be able to make sure that the smoke goes straight into the chimney, making sure none gets into your home at all.

The fireplace grate allows the logs to sit closer to the chimney, so the fumes are drastically reduced. There will be more air moving through the fireplace with a grate as well, allowing the fire to burn hotter and stronger.

Fires are Easier to Start

Starting a fire from the floor usually takes longer because there is no space for air to move under the wood. With a grate, the wood is high enough off the ground to allow for circulation of air underneath, making it easier to start a fire with kindling.

Cleaner

It is definitely not fun to clean up after a fire, especially when you think about just how much ash is actually produced. A fireplace grate can make it easier for you to clean up after a fire is finished. Usually, there will be just a fine ash that you can scoop right up and get rid of super easy.

Tips for Using

If you are going to purchase a fireplace grate for your home, it is important that you know how to use it properly. Here are a few tips to make sure everything works out how it should.

Clean the Firebox

If you have used your fireplace before purchasing the grate, you should clean out your firebox to prepare for the new item. Put some water on any ash on the bottom of the fireplace and sweep inside the firebox. Get rid of any debris that might be in your fireplace.

Put the Grate in the Fireplace

One you get your grate and you are ready to use it, place it inside the firebox. Make sure that your grate has a width and a depth about 6-inches less than the opening to ensure a perfect fit. You will want to make sure the grate is placed directly in the center of the fireplace.

Put the Logs on the Grate

Place two longs on the grate, making sure that they are parallel to each other. One of them should be close to the front and the other should be close to the back. Add some dried bark or crumbled newspaper between the two logs, then place some kindling on the top.

Add More Logs

After you place the kindling, you should add some smaller logs on top of everything. If you have a smaller fireplace, two logs might even be enough. You don’t want to pack too many pieces of wood too close together because it will affect the air flow.

Light the Fire

Make sure the damper on your fire lace is open and add some newspaper lengthwise so it is easy to grab. Let the newspaper burn for a second, making sure you keep the flame below the flue. Just a few seconds of letting that smoke blow up the chimney is plenty.

Let it Burn

When you have finished everything else, drop the newspaper onto the logs sitting in the fireplace grate. Take a fireplace lighter, place it under the grate to set fire to the kindling that you placed before. Once the fire is going, you can close the screen. Depending on how long you want your fire to burn, you may need to add more logs to keep the flame going.

HY-C Liberty Foundry G800-27-BX Best Fireplace Grate Check Price

FAQ

A fireplace grate is a highly recommended item to have in your home for safe burning of wood in a fireplace. More often than not, you will have questions about the grate that are a little hard to find answers to. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by people who are looking to buy a fireplace grate.

Can I place a fireplace plate behind a grate?

Yes, this is safe and should not cause any problems. You will need to make sure that the plate is drilled into the fireplace because not all grate come with additional holders for a plate.

Will my grate warp?

This is not always the case. Fireplace grates are exposed to fire which obviously puts off a lot of heat. If you buy a cheaper grate, or one that isn’t made from the best material, it will more than likely be less durable and will end up warping at some point.

Can I use a fireplace grate in my wood stove?

It is not recommended to use your fireplace grate in a wood stove. It can be dangerous to do so because it can lead to overheating. Wood stoves are specifically designed for wood to burn over bricks.

Conclusion

The use of a fireplace grate can significantly improve how you have fires in your home. We would suggest the HY-C Liberty Foundry G800-27-BX Fire Grate. The flames will burn stronger and hotter, you will notice your space warms up quicker and more efficiently, and your fireplace will be kept in much better shape than if you were burning a fire on the floor.