Fireplace Grates

[BigClay]

Who knew there were so many different types of fire place grates. I have had the same grate my entire life (it was my parents), and it has finally broken in the middle. I don't know what material it is made out of, but it is sturdy and strong. New grates seem to be steel (some even stainless), what is the best type of material for a fire place grate? I was thinking cast iron.

 

[GotWood]

If u can weld and fab make one. 1 1/2 pipe bent into almost a U shape with the ends facing out into the room. Build a base and it will pump heat into a room. The heat will flow out the top of the tubes while pulling air into the bottoms cause, well we all know heat rises!

 

[mommucked]

Many years ago my dad got 2 R/R track rails about 22" long that have most of the centers flat base and vertical section cut out, only the rail spans the front to back. About 2" of solid track left on the ends. 1" or so slices of solid track are welded to the top or stacked ontop of the track bases on one end to keep logs that sit on the base rails from rolling out of the fireplace. I don't know who made them but they will obviously last forever, they show no signs of wear and are used almost daily in the winter. They work well in their large masonry fireplace and lots of space for hot coals underneath and a longburning, heat throwing, safe and easy to stoke fire.