A fireplace grate is a necessity in a home with a fireplace. This is what would help the fire burn efficiently, keep the air circulating through it, and hold the logs in place so that the fire continues to burn. As the colder months come closer, you must have a fireplace grate before you start lighting the fireplace.
There are multiple things to consider before you buy one. What material should it be made of, do you need a small fireplace grate or a large one, what type of fireplace grate do you need, how much clearance is required, etc. are all equally important things. Do not let all that overwhelm you- because you are now at the right place to find answers to all these questions.
We will first talk about some of the best fireplace grates in the market- what these have to offer, how much value for money will you get for each and what makes them a suitable choice.
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Those looking for a sturdy steel freak fireplace grate, this one by Amagabeli does not disappoint. It has ¾” bars that are strong enough to hold large quantities of firewood with ease. The paint and coating on this fireplace grate are non-toxic and do not wear off or burn even after continuous burning. The front and back feet with 24” and 20” widths respectively offer sufficient space for most small to medium fireplaces.
This grate is also easy to use. It comes assembled and you do not have to do any assembly with it. The wrought iron composition makes it suitable for burning daily without any damage or dip in quality. Amagabeli also has dedicated customer support, so in case you face any issues you can be sure of getting help from the manufacturer. This grate is designed to be used both indoors and outdoors. With this cast iron fireplace grate, you get a quality product along with great customer support from the manufacturer.
This cast iron fireplace grate from Rocky Mountain Goods is made using heat-treated metal, which means you can be sure of using it with the hottest of fires continuously without any issues. Rocky Mountain also backs it with a lifetime warranty. This fireplace grate has an ember retainer which helps the fire burn hotter and cleaner. You can use this to hold wood and logs without any compromise on its structural integrity.
It is important to note that though the width is specified as 27”, it is 22” if measured on the area where firewood is placed. The 27” measurement is from the rear legs. Thus, it will hold less firewood than what you would expect from a 27” wide grate. However, apart from that- this is a quality product and gives you quite the value for money at the price point. If you need a small fireplace grate that will last for several years, then this is a good one to consider.
This heavy-duty cast iron fireplace grate from Pleasant Hearth comes with ¾” thick bars that make it the ideal choice for most wood-burning fireplaces. The design ensures that the fireplace is safely contained in it. However, the lack of legs at the center hampers the stability to a certain extent. The finishing of this fireplace grate is with heat resistant materials to allow it to hold a variety of burning firewood without any issues.
This fireplace grate comes with a lifetime warranty by the manufacturer. The firewood is lifted off the floor to provide more air circulation for a cleaner fire. It has been tested to ensure that the grate does not warp. The black finish also makes it a fit into almost any type of decor. This fireplace grate will suit almost all types of fireplaces that use a wood fire regardless of their size or construction type. Thus, if you are looking for a quality product with a lifetime guarantee, then Pleasant Hearth has just that for you.
This is one of the best fireplace grates with a basket-style design that HY-C has to offer. The 27” front width provides you sufficient storage to store many logs for a long-lasting fire. It has a heavy-duty cast-iron construction that adds to the durability and stability of this cast-iron grate. The 4” clearance is there to ensure airflow for an efficient fire. Further, this also keeps the wood above the firebox floor so that you can fan the flame without any ash blowing.
The basket design is one of the biggest advantages of this getting this heavy-duty fireplace grate. You can safely load wood on it as the fire burns. You have multiple options in terms of width- including 20”, 24” and 27” variants. There is some manual assembly required in it, and you cannot use it out of the box. HY-C also backs this foundry fire grate with a 1-year limited warranty.
If you are looking for a compact fireplace grate, than the one from Panacea fulfills your requirements. This is an 18” wide fireplace that is made using wrought iron. It has a 5-bar design that can easily hold small to medium load for a longer fire. All the bars are made using wrought-iron which adds to the durability of this affordable fireplace grate. It has a hexagonal design which makes it easy to position this grate and keep stable.
This compact fireplace is a good choice for smaller homes and when you have limited space in the fireplace. If you are looking for a heavy-duty grate, then this is not the right pick. Panacea provides a durable product with an affordable price tag. No assembly is required and you can use this fireplace grate out of the box. Do note that there are no manufacturer-backed warranties or guarantee with this product.
SteelFreak’s 27” steel grate comes with an all-steel construction that provides you with a heavy-duty and high-quality fireplace grate. This grate has a 4-leg structure which imparts additional stability and makes it suitable for supporting a heavy load of logs. Further, the wide bars with more surface hold the wood more securely. The iron crossbar has an ideal clearance to make it easier to clean and allow optimum airflow.
This made in the USA fireplace grate lasts longer and has minimal smoke formation due to the electro-forging process used in its manufacturing. ¾” thick square bars on the log burning grates are sufficient to hold even the heaviest of loads. If you are looking for a premium product that does not use any recycled material and lasts longer, then this may just be the right one for you. Despite its high-quality material and construction, SteelFreak only backs it with a limited 4-month warranty.
This Steel Freak Fireplace Grate is made using an all-steel construction and is designed for heavy-duty use. The heavy-duty fireplace grate is made in the USA and you can see that in its durability and craftsmanship. You can use it in a wood fireplace as well as a wood stove. The dimensions are made to be compact and are recommended for small to medium stoves and fireplaces.
The grate is made of 1×3/8 inch steel bars. The all-steel design is what helps this steel grate last longer than grate made of other materials. To help it perform as a heavy-duty product, this grate has center legs to add to the overall stability. The 4-inch clearance is just the right one to allow optimum airflow while maintaining an efficient burning of the logs. If you are looking for a compact stove made of high-quality steel and not recycled wrought or cast iron, then Steel Freak has just the right thing for you.
Now that you have an idea of some of the best fireplace grates in the market, you must know what to look for as you compare them. Our short guide ahead will help you learn about the most important features and considerations while searching.
The first thing to consider is the type of grate you require. There are 3 main types- cast-iron, steel, and fireplace grate heater. A cast-iron grate would be ideal for charcoal or wood, but a steel-grate is only suitable for wood. Grate heaters are tube-shaped that are recommended for use with wood and used when you need to provide heat at higher temperatures. There are other variants like enclosures, rack-style, boxed models, etc., but these 3 are the most common ones.
The size of the grate depends on the fireplace size. The most common sizes range from 21” to 30”, but you can get smaller (13”) or larger grates as well. Fireplace sizes are not standard across homes, so you must measure the fireplace at your home before you decide the size required.
The shape is key to keeping the fire burning properly and getting the right amount of heat. Different shapes of grates have different uses- some are self-feeding with more height and depth to ensure that logs do not fall out. There are smaller gates with less depth and capacity designed for more compact fireplaces. Do pay attention to the grate, its capacity, the support it provides and how it can keep the logs in place.
A mesh bottom ensures that the wood does not fall and provides better support when the logs burn. While it is not a necessity, a mesh or ember bottom is good to have feature.
The number and thickness of legs provide structural stability and allow it to withstand a higher load without sagging. Over time, fireplace grates can sag due to excessive exposure to heat and weight. A grate with additional legs along the center allows more stability and increases the life of the grate.
Finding the best fireplace grate may not be an easy process. However, when you take care of all the basic points that we covered in our buying guide, you will be able to get a better idea of what to look for. If you are looking to get a fireplace grate Amazon or on any other e-commerce store, do pay attention to the reviews of the product and the manufacturer. This will help you to ensure that you get what you expect.
A fireplace grate is a must-have for a good and safe fireplace. Some of the best fireplace grates including those that we reviewed will help you get value for your money and a safe fireplace. Consider everything from the brand’s reviews to the material, size, and construction to ensure that you make the right choice. Pick one of these to get a quality product that will easily last several years and give you excellent performance each day.
