Wood against refractory panel-pre-fab fireplace

[ValleyCottageSplitter]

Maybe a dumb question but should I back the grate against the refractory panel and burn the wood directly against the back? I just got a new thick panel and don't want to overheat it. My grate only has bars on the front and the wood will often fall behind.

It is a Heatilator HB42ai; the manual doesn't explicitly say how to position the grate. I couldn't find it on google either...

 

[Squisher]

I wouldn't have it right against the back unless it needed to be to prevent smoke spillage. I'd have it just off the back. And if my grate was letting pieces roll off the back I'd get a different one or try turning it 180 if possible and see how it worked, if it fit.