Fireplace grates serve a dual purpose. For one, they hold the pieces of wood off the floor, keeping the wood all in one place as it slowly disintegrates from the fire. Wood that has been penetrated by fire can explode into many little embers when it hits the ground, creating a safety hazard if it pops out of the fireplace. Fireplace grates lessen the chances of this happening.

The second purpose of fireplace grates is ventilation. In order for wood to burn, it needs plenty of exposure to the air, which contains the oxygen necessary for fire to burn. Fireplace grates are designed to allow maximum exposure to the air as it holds the wood--from underneath, on top, and all sides. The better the exposure to the air, the longer and hotter the fire can burn.

The New Generation of Fireplace Grates

The fireplace has undergone many changes in the last few decades. Like any old technology, it's had its share of hard times and neglect in this rapidly advancing modern age. In short, many people have stopped using fireplaces, mostly for reasons of convenience, safety, and environmental correctness. However, instead of abandoning the fireplace altogether, they've modified it to suit today's lifestyle.

The result is gas and ventless, clean fuel-burning fireplaces that don't use wood at all, don't create poisonous residues or smoke, and can be installed in any type of home. However, care has been taken to preserve as much of the charm of the traditional fireplace as possible. This means that, though wood is no longer used, decorative ceramic logs, complete with fireplace grates, remain as much a part of the fireplace as ever.