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Increasing Oxygen Flow Using Fireplace Grates

A grate is a framework made up of parallel or latticed bars that are used to hold the fuel in the fireplace or spruce up the fire. A grate continuously lowers the burning logs to the ember bed of its bottom.

Fireplace grates are used to “supply oxygen that increases the temperature, which in turn, burns up the pollution and turns it into heat energy”. This pollution tends to escape into the house if there are no fireplace grates. Grates facilitate better drafting so that the fumes and smoke escape through the chimney instead of entering into the rooms.

Most fireplace grates are so designed that they their front and backs sides are curled up. The logs remain in the middle of the grate and are not tumbled out on to the hearth as they shift and burn. You simply add the wood when needed. This can prevent the embers from popping out and burning up your floor.

The burnt pieces of wood fall to the fireplace floor through the spaces in the grate bars thus creating a bed of super hot coals. This allows the wood to be burnt from the bottom up so you do not have to adjust and move the wood once it has been placed on the grate.

A grate is probably the most important accessory in a fireplace. It can protect the floor of the fireplace and adds to its life. It is clear, therefore, that a grate helps to reduce a substantial amount of heat that reaches the floor.

Since a grate keeps the wood above the floor level, the air beneath the wood acquires higher temperature. It thus allows the wood to burn with greater efficiency.

Fireplace grates facilitate the cleaning of the fireplace since they hold most of the wood in place and prevent the embers from scattering about the fireplace.

Grates, in short, help in economize on fuel, reduce the creosote build up and smoke spillage. It increases the efficiency of the fuel in the fireplace.

Which grate design should you choose?

Fireplace grates are generally made of steel, cast iron and brass.

The steel bar fireplace is used for wood. You cannot use coal on the steel bar grates as the bars are placed distantly from each other and the coals tend to fall through them. If you want to buy a steel bar grate, you should watch for the thickness of the bars. A general rule of the thumb is that thicker the bar, the longer it will last.

You must, however, be sure how often you want to use the fire place and what type of wood you will use.

If you use the fireplace on very special occasions only such as holidays, birthdays, you do not have to buyer heavy duty grate. A lighter one will do.

If you have to use your fireplace frequently, you need middle to high grade grate bars. You should also take into account the type of wood you will use. Hard woods like Maple, Oak, Beachwood burn hotter than softer woods. This may add stress on your grate. In such cases, thicker steel bars are recommended.

In case you are a daily user, you need the thickest and heaviest grate bars you can afford.

Cast iron fireplace grates are used for wood or coal. They tend to last longer than the average steel bar grates. Cast iron grates have smaller distance between them. They, therefore, allow the coal or wood to stay longer and burn more completely.

Cast iron grates are essentially weighty. They are, therefore, stronger and last longer. The thickness of the grate bars will depend on the frequency of your use as in case of steel bars.

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