A "24 Fireplace Grate" is the most common sized fireplace grate made
. When setting up to use your fireplace for the upcoming winter, a grate is an essential wood burning fireplace accessory. There are a few different items that will be needed to have a successful experience with your fireplace. A tool set so you can maintain the fire and a fireplace screen to help in the protection of your home from a possible fire. A hearth rug is another safety item to have. Both screens and rugs can bring a decorative element to the room and still help in the safety of an open hearth.
A grate is no more than a collection of bent bars welded into a pattern to support the wood while it's burning in the hearth. Most commonly the bars are steel, either one-half inch or five-eighths inch in diameter. Also, stainless steel is used in the construction of grates. It is believed stainless will last longer. The alternative to steel is cast iron. This is an older material of construction. This style of grate is not welded up bars. This grate is liquid iron that is poured in to a mold; then after cooling, the piece is cleaned up with grinding wheels and then used in the fireplace. This style of grate is different in the sense that the openings are closer together. This allows for the burning of the wood to be more complete. Meaning the wood is held up off the hearth floor and air can circulate completely around the fuel, the wood, and burn more efficiently.
Using either a cast iron or a steel grate will do the job very well. While the grate is a very important part of a fire burning system in your home it is possibly the least decorative or eye pleasing. Enjoy the upcoming winter by having the right equipment for your fireplace hearth.