Recommendations for a grate

[iluvjazznjava]

Hello everyone,

My grate in my fireplace is literally splitting in two as the fire damages it. It's time for a new one. I'm looking for a design that will give me an efficient burn. It's an old school masonry fireplace, but it does have a blower so it's semi-useful as a heat source (see pic).

If I am going to replace the grate, I want to do it right. I've been reading around the forum and there seems to be varying opinions on which grates work well, or whether its best to not even use one. I welcome your opinions here, as long as they are relevant to my setup.

A replacement grate I am considering is this one:

Pleasant Hearth 30-Inch Fireplace Grate, 8 Bar, 3/4-Inch Solid Steel, Lifetime Warranty

The firebox in this case is about 36" wide and nearly that tall. Anyone care to share their experience with one of these "heavy duty" grates?

 

[BrotherBart]

Wish you were closer. I have a new unused one helping clutter up my garage. Pretty much all carbon steel grates are going to do the same job. Letting air under the wood. Cast iron ones are available, but not worth the price and shipping.

 

[iluvjazznjava]

I wish you did live closer BrotherBart Thanks anyways ... I see the cast iron ones on Amazon - they are actually cheaper than a lot of the others. I was assuming they were lower quality, but maybe not? Amazon will ship for free - so not a worry there. 30" cast iron grate for $59.

 

[weatherguy]

I'm thinking of getting a grate for my unused fireplace and was thinking of trying this one

http://www.gratewalloffire.com/

 

[iluvjazznjava]

Grate wall of fire - that's an interesting design. Would probably be good for "slow burn" type fires.

 

[weatherguy]

This is another interesting one I came across, its a unique design and is made with hot rolled steel

http://www.texasfireframe.com/index.html

 

[iluvjazznjava]

Texas Fire Frame - that looks good too! A little bit pricey, but if it works like they say then it could be worth it.

 

[Fsappo]

If had great luck selling 3/4" steel grates that are shaped to roll the wood towards the center. Locally welded ones from a guy on LI. )when worked down there. They would last 5-10 years with heavy use. The bars were about 3" apart to the logs would roll "into each other" and make the fire keep perking up for a nice show. Then the guy started welding diamond mesh to keep the coal bed better. That worked also, but the mesh would burn out in a few years.

This is all decade old tech, but it brought back fun memories. We used to sell tons of those grates to folks who had the cast iron ones that burned a whole thru the middle.