Cast Iron or Welded Steel Bars? How to Size the Best Fireplace Grate to Your Firebox

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The best fireplace grate is the one that fits your firebox and holds logs high enough for air to reach them. Material comes next: one-piece cast iron cradles, or welded solid steel bars on legs. Both lift the fire off the hearth floor, keep logs from rolling forward and let ash fall through, but they differ in weight, gap size and how they handle years of heat.

We compared five options sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store and listed in stock when we checked: three welded steel grates, a one-piece cast iron grate for small fireboxes, and a clip-on ember retainer that narrows the gaps on a bar grate you already own. For each one we quote the bar count, width, lift height and material exactly as the listing gives them, and we flag listings whose sizes disagree with each other.

Measure before you shop: the front width, the back width and the depth of your firebox.

Our Top Fireplace Grate Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Mr IRONSTONE 24-Inch Steel Fireplace Grate: Best Overall

Mr IRONSTONE’s 24-inch grate is a welded steel log rack: seven solid steel bars set on a V-shaped frame, raised on six steel legs. The listing calls the bars thick, solid, diamond-shaped steel rods with a black high-temperature paint finish, and says the whole grate arrives complete, with no installation needed.

The V-shaped frame is the working part. Logs settle into the cradle instead of rolling toward the front of the firebox, and the bars hold them above the ash bed. The listing says there is a 4-inch gap between the grate and the floor for better airflow, and it puts the overall size at 24 inches wide, 15 inches deep and 7 inches high. Amazon’s specs list 24.02 x 14.57 x 6.66 inches and 12.13 pounds.

For durability, Mr IRONSTONE points to its legs: four thick solid feet plus two thick middle feet that it says prevent sagging and deformation, joined with what it calls excellent welding seam technology. Sagging in the middle is the classic failure of a cheap bar grate, so center support matters. The listing names indoor wood-burning fireplaces, backyard patio burning and outdoor fire pits as uses, and it asks you to measure your fireplace before purchasing.

It suits most standard open fireplaces where a 24-inch grate leaves room on both sides, and buyers who want the category’s best seller without extras.

Why we like it

• Category best seller
• Center legs against sagging
• Ready to use out of the box

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t give bar thickness for this size, and the bars are wide-spaced without an ember retainer.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. Jusgym 24-Inch Fireplace Grate With Tongs and Poker: Best With Tools Included

Jusgym’s 24-inch grate is a welded solid steel bar grate that comes with a two-piece tool set: a poker and a pair of tongs. For someone lighting a first fire in a newly bought house, that covers the grate and the two tools used most when tending logs.

The listing leans on density. Jusgym says the grate has eight tightly spaced steel bars to keep hot coals in place and prevent log slippage, and eight evenly distributed legs at the base to prevent sagging or warping during long burns. Closer bars mean fewer coals drop through to the hearth floor, which helps a fire hold together as logs burn down.

Height is the other stated figure: the grate lifts firewood 4.5 inches off the floor, which Jusgym says balances easy fire starting with slower coal build-up underneath. It is described as heavy-duty steel, ready to use out of the box, with no assembly. The poker and tongs let you adjust logs and tend flames without reaching in by hand. The listing doesn’t give depth, overall height, bar thickness or weight, so check the product photos against your firebox depth before you order.

It suits new fireplace owners and anyone replacing an old grate and tools at the same time, as long as a 24-inch width fits their firebox.

Why we like it

• Poker and tongs in the box
• Eight closely spaced bars
• 4.5-inch lift

Watch out for

Depth and weight aren’t listed, so measure your firebox and compare with the photos before buying.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. AGTEK 18-Inch Cast Iron Fireplace Grate: Best Cast Iron for Small Fireboxes

AGTEK’s 18-inch grate is a one-piece cast iron cradle rather than a set of welded bars. The listing says single-piece cast iron construction, instead of welded steel bars, makes it more solid and able to handle more weight. It has a black powder-coated finish.

Its dimensions are given the way a fireplace is actually shaped: 18 inches across the front, 15.2 inches across the back and 12 inches deep. Most fireboxes narrow toward the back, so a tapered grate can sit farther back without its rear corners hitting the side walls. AGTEK lists a 2.2-inch leg clearance, which it says provides air circulation for an efficient burn.

Day to day, the cradle shape holds firewood toward the center, which AGTEK says makes the fire easier and more effective to manage. The listing also says the grate has narrow gaps that stop small pieces of burning logs from falling out, which helps retain heat. No assembly is required. AGTEK names fireplaces, fire pits and burning stoves as uses.

It suits smaller masonry fireplaces, older homes with shallow fireboxes and wood stove owners who want to raise a fire off the floor, as long as an 18-inch front width leaves room on both sides.

Why we like it

• One-piece cast iron
• Front and back widths listed
• Narrow gaps hold small embers

Watch out for

At 2.2 inches, its lift is the lowest stated on this page, and the listing gives no weight.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. GoCampDirect Fireplace Grate With Ember Retainer: Best With Built-In Ember Retainer

GoCampDirect’s grate pairs a welded steel bar grate with an ember retainer, a mesh-style panel across the front and bottom that holds small coals on the grate instead of letting them fall to the hearth. The listing says the retainer prevents logs and debris from falling and helps the firewood burn more completely.

Construction details are stated clearly. GoCampDirect says the grate uses six 3/4-inch thick steel bars, with four thick solid feet and two thicker solid feet in the middle to prevent sagging. The surface is coated in black matte high-temperature paint, and the listing says it needs no assembly. It gives a 3.5-inch clearance under the wood for air circulation and easier lighting, and claims the retainer holds heat in the ash bed to extend burning time.

Size is where the listing needs care. The title calls it a 27-inch grate, the first bullet calls it a 20-inch grate, and a later bullet gives 17 by 13 by 5.9 inches, while noting that the brand sells 14-, 17-, 20-, 24-, 27- and 30-inch versions. Before checking out, confirm which width is selected and compare it with your firebox measurements.

It suits owners who lose a lot of coals through bar gaps, and anyone who wants an ember retainer without buying one separately, for indoor fireplaces or outdoor fire pits.

Why we like it

• Ember retainer built in
• 3/4-inch bars
• Center feet against sagging

Watch out for

The listing gives three different sizes, so verify the selected width against your firebox before you buy.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. Flamorrow 16 x 10 Inch 8mm Steel Ember Retainer: Best Ember Retainer Add-On

Flamorrow’s ember retainer is not a grate. It’s a heavy steel mesh panel that you set on top of the grate you already have, so burning wood and coals rest on the mesh instead of slipping between widely spaced bars.

The listing says it is made of heavy duty solid steel 8 millimeters thick, which Flamorrow describes as stiff and sturdy, with high temperature resistance for long burns. The holes in the mesh let air circulate to promote combustion, and the brand says only ash falls through while the embers stay put, so logs gather together and keep a steady fire going.

Installation is as simple as it gets: no assembly, just place it on the grate. Flamorrow says a special edge design locks onto the grate. The bullets give its size as 15.75 inches long by 10 inches wide, and the title rounds that to 16 by 10 inches. Flamorrow calls it a universal fit for most grates but also asks buyers to confirm their size first, which is sensible because grate depth and bar spacing vary.

It suits anyone with a serviceable bar grate that loses coals, and campers or fire pit owners who want a flat steel bed for a small fire.

Why we like it

• Cheap upgrade for an old grate
• Thick 8mm steel
• No tools or assembly

Watch out for

Measure your grate’s width and depth first; a 15.75 x 10 inch panel won’t cover a large grate.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Fireplace Grate Options

We kept to grates and accessories sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store and listed in stock when we checked, and we compared only what each listing says:

• Material: one-piece cast iron or welded solid steel bars, in the listing’s own words.
• Width and shape: front width, back width where stated, and depth, so you can check fit against your firebox.
• Bars and gaps: number of bars, bar thickness where stated, and any ember retainer.
• Lift height: the clearance between the floor and the logs, which drives airflow.
• Legs and sag resistance: center supports that keep the middle from bowing.
• Popularity and warranty: Amazon sales rank and the warranty field (empty on every pick here).

Fireplace Grate Buying Guide

Best Material for Fireplace Grate: Cast Iron vs. Welded Steel

Cast iron grates, like the AGTEK, are cast as one piece, so there are no welds to crack. AGTEK says that makes its grate more solid and able to handle more weight. Welded steel bar grates, like Mr IRONSTONE, Jusgym and GoCampDirect, rely on bars and legs welded together, so center support matters; all three listings describe extra legs to resist sagging. Steel bar grates usually sit higher and let more air through, while cast iron cradles tend to have narrower gaps.

Bar Thickness and Number of Bars

More bars mean smaller gaps, so fewer coals fall through. Jusgym lists eight bars on its 24-inch grate, Mr IRONSTONE lists seven and GoCampDirect lists six. Only GoCampDirect states a bar thickness for the model here (3/4 inch). If your grate has wide gaps, an ember retainer such as the Flamorrow panel narrows them without replacing the grate.

Best Fireplace Grates by Width: Measure Front and Back

Most fireboxes narrow toward the back. Measure the front opening width, the back wall width and the depth, then choose a grate that leaves room on both sides and sits back from the opening. AGTEK is the only listing here that gives both front (18 inches) and back (15.2 inches) widths, which makes fit easy to check. Mr IRONSTONE lists 24 x 15 x 7 inches, while Jusgym gives only its 24-inch width. GoCampDirect’s listing gives three conflicting sizes, so confirm the selected variant.

Height and Airflow

Fire needs air underneath. Stated clearances on our picks range from 2.2 inches on the AGTEK to 3.5 inches on GoCampDirect, 4 inches on Mr IRONSTONE and 4.5 inches on Jusgym. A taller grate helps a slow-starting fire, but the logs also sit closer to the opening’s top edge, so stack modestly. Dry, seasoned wood matters as much as airflow; our best fireplace wood guide covers kiln-dried firewood and fire starters.

Ember Retainers

An ember retainer is a mesh panel or front lip that keeps small coals on the grate. GoCampDirect builds one in; the Flamorrow panel adds one to a grate you already own. Either way, a retainer is not a substitute for a fireplace screen, which stops sparks from leaving the firebox. Our best fireplace screen guide compares folding, arched and door-style screens.

Fireplace Safety: Grates, Screens, Chimneys and Ashes

A grate keeps logs from rolling forward onto the hearth, but it’s one part of a safe fire. The U.S. Fire Administration’s heating fire safety handout and NFPA’s heating safety page lay out the habits:

• Inspect the chimney every year. NFPA says to have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional, and USFA says to have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
• Use a screen. Keep a sturdy screen in front of an open fire so embers and sparks stay in the firebox, even with an ember retainer on the grate.
• Handle ashes carefully. USFA says to put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 10 feet from your home. The EPA’s Burn Wise best practices add: regularly remove ashes into a covered metal container and store it outdoors on a nonflammable surface.
• Burn dry wood. EPA Burn Wise says to burn only dry, split, well-seasoned wood.

A shovel and tongs make ash removal and log handling safer; see our best fireplace tool set guide.

Chimney and Hearth Fires and Your Home Insurance

A sagging grate that lets a log roll onto the hearth, an uninspected flue or a bag of warm ashes by the garage can all start a fire that spreads well beyond the fireplace. Homeowners policies generally cover sudden fire damage, but deductibles, limits and how a claim is handled vary, so review your coverage before the burning season. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains dwelling and personal property coverage, and if this is your first winter with a working fireplace, read our insurance tips for first-time Ohio homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for a fireplace grate?

Both cast iron and welded solid steel work. One-piece cast iron, like the AGTEK, has no welds to crack and is heavy. Welded steel bar grates, like Mr IRONSTONE and Jusgym, are lighter and usually sit higher; look for center legs that resist sagging.

What size fireplace grate do I need?

Measure the firebox front width, back width and depth. Choose a grate that leaves room on both sides and fits the tapered back. AGTEK lists both widths (18 inches front, 15.2 inches back), which makes checking fit easy.

How high should a fireplace grate be?

High enough for air to reach the underside of the logs. Our picks list clearances from 2.2 inches (AGTEK) to 4.5 inches (Jusgym). Dry, seasoned wood matters as much as height for a fire that lights and burns well.

Do I need an ember retainer on my fireplace grate?

It helps if coals keep falling through wide bar gaps. GoCampDirect builds one in, and the Flamorrow panel sits on a grate you already own. A retainer doesn’t replace a fireplace screen.

How do I safely dispose of fireplace ashes?

USFA says to put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 10 feet from your home. EPA Burn Wise says to store the covered metal container outdoors on a nonflammable surface.

The Bottom Line

For most standard fireplaces, the Mr IRONSTONE 24-inch grate is the best fireplace grate here: the category’s best seller, with seven solid steel bars, center legs and a 4-inch lift. The Jusgym 24-inch adds an eighth bar plus a poker and tongs, and the AGTEK 18-inch brings one-piece cast iron to small fireboxes and wood stoves. For loose coals, choose the GoCampDirect grate with a built-in retainer once you’ve confirmed its size, or add the Flamorrow retainer to the grate you have. Whatever you pick, measure first, inspect the chimney yearly and keep ashes in a lidded metal can outside.

Firing up the fireplace this winter and wondering how your policy handles a chimney or hearth fire? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or book a free coverage review.