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Creating the perfect outdoor space doesn’t come without a little legwork on the research side of things. Certainly by now you’ve browsed a ton of outdoor style and design inspiration boards, videos and pictures to find something that will inspire your next addition. If that happens to be an outdoor fireplace, we’ve got you covered! These are our reviews for the best fireplace grates for outdoor fireplaces.
Choose The Right Size Grate for the Fireplace
First, you’ll want to measure the interior length of your fireplace. In other words, the walls of the area where the wood burns, in order to determine how long of a grate you’ll need.
Once you’ve done that, choose a grate that’s somewhat shorter on either end. In other words, one that’s at least 2” shorter than you need. The reason for that is to allow proper airflow on all sides of the fireplace grate so your fire can burn long and hot.
Lastly, just be sure that it’s the correct shape and width as well. If you’re dealing with a round grate in a traditional outdoor fireplace, you’re going to have wood burning on the outside of the chimney which could blow smoke right into your face. Also, a spark screen won’t do as good a job of protecting you and your property if the grate protrudes from the inside of the fire pit.
The Best Fireplace Grates for Outdoor Fireplaces
These models of fire pit and fireplace grates we’ve reviewed below are perfect for creating an outdoor fireplace, or replacing an existing grate. There’s a couple of key things you should consider before you buy one, though.
Amagabeli Outdoor 24” Fireplace Grate
When you’re looking for fireplace grates for outdoor fireplaces, there’s nothing wrong with going for a classic option like one of these! This model by Amagabeli features a classic look, much like that you’d find in a standard indoor fireplace.
Buy on AmazonThe metal supports on this fireplace grate are a hefty 3/4th’s of an inch thick, providing excellent capacity for heavier logs you might be burning outdoors. Also, it’s incredibly simple to clean since you can easily pull it out of the fireplace to brush up ash and leaves before and after using it.
The shape also lends well to cooling once it’s finished being used, which is especially helpful if you’d like to clean up your ashes before you’re done in the evening. It’s made from a sturdy wrought iron, and is bound to stand up for years and years. If you like a wide, heavy traditional looking grate this one makes a great choice!
Pros:
- Tends to fit heavier, bulkier logs than most
- Design promotes ease of cleaning leftover ashes underneath
- Less likely to rust thanks to its material coating
Cons:
- A bit on the bigger side for most people’s setup
- Heavier to move and reposition while cleaning
- Admittedly looks a bit more like a larger version of an indoor grate compared to other models
Sunnydaze Outdoor Fireplace 24” Grate for Cooking
Unlike many fireplace grates, this one is entirely made from a lighter steel alloy. This is beneficial since it’s both lighter and a lot less likely to rust!
Buy on AmazonThere are some upsides, and downsides to having a firepit like this one. First off, it’s the type that requires you to have a fire going underneath it. This is ideal for a large outdoor ‘pizza-oven’ style fire pit, or perhaps even a large chiminea.
Important things you should know before buying this fireplace grate for outdoors: it doesn’t allow you to place food directly on the surface of the grate! The finish on it, while doing a great job of protecting it from the elements, has a drawback. That being said, it’s perfectly suitable for placing pots, pans, aluminum foil and of course cast iron on top of!
Get the most out of this firepit with your favorite outdoor cookware for dinner under the stars!
Pros:
- Ideal choice for those who are looking for an outdoor fireplace grate for cooking
- Steel alloy is coated to prevent rust
- Low profile makes it ideal for use in custom outdoor fireplaces
Cons:
- Grate doesn’t actually allow for food to be placed directly on top of it; use of tin foil or other surfaces required
- Too low to the ground to use without a larger basin for holding smoldering charcoal or firewood
- Diameter might be a drawback; only suitable for certain sized firepits and outdoor kitchens
Steel Freak Classic Round Outdoor Fireplace Grate
At 18”, this smaller grate is perfect for more low-profile outdoor fire pits and fireplaces. It features raised, thick steel bars that are ideal for supporting small and medium-sized pieces of firewood outdoors. This is also perfect for airflow, which keeps the fire stoked while enjoying the warm flame.
Buy on AmazonIt’s made from steel and features a dark black coating with low-sheen that compliments just about any fireplace or fire pit design. You can also rely on the structure of this grate to keep the burning logs off of the ground or fireplace base. This reduces the amount of burnt-on carbon and cinder that builds up.
It stands up to frequent use thanks to its compact raised design, you’ll be able to leave this one outside without worrying too much about rust, too!
Pros:
- Low-sheen coating will help to protect from rust without giving it that ‘glossy’ look
- Ideal for allowing ash and debris to fall neatly underneath without snuffing out the burning pieces
- Doubles as a grate you could place an outdoor kettle, pot or cast iron pan on
Cons:
- Compact, but smaller in diameter than most models. Be sure to check the sizing beforehand
- Firewood doesn’t have anything to stop it from rolling off the sides
- Kindling will easily fall through the wide grate design while you’re lighting it
Amagabeli Heavy Duty Wagon Wheel Grate for Outdoor Fireplaces
This outdoor fireplace grate features a spider-web, or ‘wagon wheel’ shape that makes it easier to stack firewood in a variety of different ways. If you prefer to stack logs in a tent-shape, you’ll find that the curved ends of these grate supports do a good job of helping to hold the firewood in position while it burns.
Buy on AmazonIt’s raised, and has four strong legs that give room for adequate air flow underneath your firewood. It’s made from a slick stainless steel that makes it light enough to easily remove when it’s time to clean up the ash, while also making it somewhat more rust-proof.
The 12 steel bars with raised ends prevent firewood from tumbling off, making it easier to stack, especially for those who are a bit less experienced.
Pros:
- Legs are low to the ground, and strong to provide enough stability for lots of firewood
- Ideal fire pit for stacking firewood in a horizontal pattern for a taller flame
- Perfect fire pit for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores
Cons:
- Raised grate bars on all sides prevent logs that are ‘too long’ from stacking easily
- Unique shape of this outdoor fire pit makes it difficult to fit in most spaces
- Light, but prone to tipping if firewood is poorly stacked
SteelFreak 30” Wide Fireplace Grate for Indoors or Outdoors
With an all-steel construction, this fireplace grate comes in an extra-wide version that makes a good fit for larger models of outdoor fireplaces. Whether you’ve custom-designed your own, or are looking to replace a grate from an existing fireplace, this 30” steel grate is a reliable replacement.
Buy on AmazonThe support legs are shorter on average as compared to competitor’s models, while it may seem like a largely insignificant feature, this actually makes it a lot more stable. The shorter rectangular legs help it from tipping over or rocking due to firewood placement or logs shifting during the burn.
It is still substantially raised to allow for a good amount of airflow whether it’s placed in the outside of a fire pit or fireplace. The ends of the horizontal steel supports make your firewood easier to stack, and allows the great itself to fit inside of shallower fireplaces. We love this fireplace grate for outdoor fireplaces for summer evening burns on the patio!
Pros:
- Wide fire pit grate design allows for longer pieces to be stacked easily
- Taller profile allows it to be somewhat raised off of the ground
- Firepit grate can be used on its own without a fire pit if you’re in a pinch
Cons:
- Longer and more difficult to move and transport
- Ash tends to collect on the flat-shaped grate bars
- Less useful for smaller, occasional use. Best value for those looking for longer and hotter burn times
The Best Fireplace Grate for Outdoor Fireplaces
After scouring for the perfect outdoor fireplace grate, it became clear that it would come down to a few likely contenders. When we’re talking outdoor surfaces, especially metal ones, rust is a huge factor you have to take into consideration. Grandpa’s fireplace grate may very well have been uncoated wrought iron that was absolutely rusted-through to the point of being totally unusable.
Thankfully, each one of our suggestions for review here eliminate that worry by extending the lifetime of these grates with their unique coatings that help to prevent rust in the long-term. Out of all of our selections, the Amagabeli has to take the cake for overall build quality, and universal design that is likely to fit your outdoor firepit.
It’s a standard, familiar size and shape that comes from a design that’s easily stood the test of time. Also, nearly any piece of firewood you’ve got stacked or laying around it likely to fit in it. For our top pick, this fireplace grate for outdoor fireplaces is a versatile choice for those looking to spend more time in their outdoor spaces.