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Home » Home Improvement

Home Improvement

Fireplace Grates and Why You Should Have One
By AJ Drake

Fireplace grates are a very important fireplace accessory. They are second only to the fireplace screen, which keeps the fire contained in the firebox. Fireplace grates are available in many shapes and sizes to accommodate all styles of fireboxes. They are crucial to your fireplace burning at peak efficiency.

What Is a Fireplace Grate

A fireplace grate is a device used to raise logs off the firebox floor for the purpose of containing the logs and creating airflow to produce a hot fire.

The most common grate is a series of evenly spaced bars held up by four legs. The bars are flat in the middle with the ends bent upward to hold the logs. There is a self-feeding variation of this fireplace grate. The main difference is that the middle of the bars continue bending down creating a U shape instead of being flat.

There are also basket style fireplace grates. Just as the name suggests, they are shaped like baskets. The sides have evenly spaced straps of iron, which allow for airflow. This basket sits up on four legs to elevate it off the firebox floor.

Fireplace grates are generally made of cast iron or stainless steel, cast iron being the most common. The rule of thumb is the heavier the grate the better.

The heavier grates are more durable and stand up to continuous hot fires. Lighter weight fireplace grates have smaller parts and sometimes-hollow parts that just do not last.

Lightweight grates are less expensive and will probably hold up fine if you seldom use your fireplace. If you use your fireplace a great deal, your best bet is a heavy-duty fireplace grate, as it will last longer.

Fireplace Grate Function

The fireplace grate's main function is to elevate the burning logs off the base of the firebox to create airflow. This airflow greatly increases the efficiency of the fire.

With the logs elevated, air is allowed to be drawn under the logs forcing the coals to burn hot. The hotter they burn the more air circulation they draw. If the logs are not elevated, they basically sit on the floor and suffocate.

Another function of the fireplace grate is to contain the burning logs. The angled sides of the grate hold the logs and force them to the center. Otherwise, when the logs closest to the bottom burn down, the top logs tend to roll off.

Fireplace Grate Benefits

A hot fire is the main benefit. The obvious benefit of a hot fire is more heat for you. A roaring fire produces far more heat than one that just sits there and smolders.

Another benefit of a hot fire is less smoke. Less smoke means a more complete burn causing less creosote build up in the chimney, reducing the risk of a chimney fire. Less smoke also means less pollution for the environment and your neighbors.

For anyone who frequently uses their fireplace whether it is for quelling the chill of a cold winter night or for creating a romantic ambiance by watching the dancing flames, a fireplace grate is a must. If you do not already have one, do yourself, your chimney, the environment, and your neighbors a favor by outfitting your fireplace with a fireplace grate that suits you.

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