Metal Fireplace Grates to Keep Your Home Fire Burning
One of the fireplace accessories that gets the most practical use is the fire grate. In fact, the grate is not so much a fireplace accessory as an essential.
The grate, which is usually made out of a tough metal, mostly iron, supports the wood, logs or coal while they are burning, leaving space below for the ashes of the fire to drop. The ashes, and tiny embers, fall through gaps between metal bars, ready for the lucky owner to clean them out later, or at least clear enough space for a draught to keep flowing underneath to maintain the burning fire.
Fireplace grates need to be tough, and able to withstand intense heat. Heavy duty iron is therefore the favorite metal for use in making grates.
For when there is no fire, though, those who are home decor conscious will want to have an attractive a grate as possible in the fireplace. Fortunately, if well designed even a basic good quality grate can be quite attractive when clean and empty. It can at least make a home for a receptacle for a plant or flower display.
Even when the fire is alight, the grate has more uses than just to support the burning logs or coal. At least, the ashes and embers the grate allows to pass beneath it have a very important role. That is, if you like roast chestnuts. For me, chestnuts roast in the ashes under a burning fire are the best you could wish for. Attending the roasting nuts is a leisurely pleasure on a cold winter's evening. Much nicer than cleaning the ashes out later, or in the morning. If there is enough space, potatoes baked in foil under the grate are good too, but do turn to ashes very quickly if left a bit too long in the cinders.
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