One of the most vital accessories needed to use a fireplace is the fireplace grate. Designed to sit within the fireplace housing, the grate is used to keep the burning logs off of the floor of the fireplace. By raising the logs up off the ground, the grate allows a larger volume of oxygen to pass through from underside, creating a hotter burning and more efficient fire. Because fireplace grates are such an essential accessory to have in your fireplace, they are available in a large variety of metals, designs, shapes, and sizes.
What Metals Can Be Used For Fireplace Grates?
Cast Iron Grates
Cast iron is perhaps one of the most common metals that fireplace grates can be made from. It is extremely durable and able to withstand incredibly high temperatures. Cast iron requires very little maintenance and is extremely heavy, making it much less likely that the grate will slide around easily within the fireplace. One of the main benefits of a cast iron grate is that they created as one solid piece. This means they are able to have very narrow spaces between the air slats which prevents the ember bed from falling to the floor of the fireplace. This lets the fire burn longer as well as hotter. The heavier and thicker the cast iron is, the longer it will last.
Steel Fireplace Grates
Steel is one of the strongest materials that fireplace grates can be made from. Steel fireplace grates have such a high level of resistance to wear and tear that they often come with lifetime warranties. The two most common types of steel used in fireplace grates are flat bar steel and diamond bar steel. Of these two, diamond bar steel is thicker and more durable. Since steel grates are made from bars of steel as opposed to being solid pieces, the spaces between the bars are slightly larger than those of cast iron grates. Because of this, some steel grates are also fitted with a metal mesh screen on the bottom to prevent the embers from falling. The thicker the bars in a steel grate, the longer the grate will last.
Stainless Steel Grates
Stainless steel is the third metal choice for fireplace grate construction and is the preferred metal of choice for outdoor fireplaces or fire pits. Stainless steel is known for being non-corrosive, which gives it an excellent ability to withstand the elements that an outdoor grate would be exposed to. Interior grates can also be found made from stainless steel, but are somewhat rare.
What Types Of Fireplace Grates Are There?
Standard Grate
A standard fireplace grate is essentially flat in the center and turned up slightly on the two longest ends. It rests on four legs and comes in a variety of sizes, designed to fit any typical square or rectangular fireplace. Standard gates are also referred to as non-tapered grates. They are preferred for fireplaces that are open on both sides, usually placed in the center of a room instead of built into a wall. Because a standard grate has ends that are the same height on either side, they provide a more symmetrical appearance when viewed from either side.
Expandable Grate
An expandable grate appears similar to a standard grate at first glance, however, they can be lengthened by adding one or more extension pieces onto each side. Each expansion piece is also fitted with legs to help accommodate the extra length. Expandable grates are often used in larger fireplaces. When a small fire is desired, the grate will be used at its standard size. If the full area of the fireplace is desired for a larger fire, the extension pieces can be added to accommodate the additional wood.
Self-Feeding Grates
Self-feeding fireplace grates are ideal for consumers who want to have to do as little as possible to keep a fire going for a long period of time. Similar to a standard grate, each of the longest ends is elevated upwards at an angle or curve. A self-feeding grate, however, will have one side that is much higher than the other. This allows fresh wood to be stacked up in excess on one side. As each log at the base of the grate burns down, the new logs slowly pass down the higher side to feed the fire.
Regardless of the material or design of grate you are interested in, within each group of metals or grate types are also a wide array of sizes and designs to choose from.
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