Fireplace grates are primarily made from one of two materials: either steel or cast iron. Most people prefer cast iron because it retains heat exceptionally well and it tends to be more durable than steel.

If you’re in the market for a new fireplace grate, you may have come to the conclusion by now that cast iron is your best bet. There remains a question, though:

Which grate should you get?

At HY-C, we manufacture five lines of cast iron fireplace grates under our Liberty Foundry Co. name:

• The G500 Sampson Series
• The Franklin G Series
• The GT SAF-T-GRATE Series
• The G800 Series
• The G1000 Series

In this guide, we’ll take you through each line of cast iron fireplace grates. We’ll include sizes for each of our five lines and some stand-out features of each grate to help you find the right cast iron fireplace grate for your fireplace.

G500 Sampson Series Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

The Sampson G500 fireplace grate integrates a self-feeding design to keep your fire going. As logs burn, they roll down the sloped sides of the grate to ensure that hot logs on the bottom feed fresh logs on the top.

The angle of the slope is adjustable, too, to help you burn wood at the best possible pace for your fire and fireplace.

Perhaps the best part of the G500 Sampson fireplace grates is that they’re adjustable. You can buy the size you need, and you can buy additional eight-inch sections that can be added to (or removed from) your grate to ensure it fits your fireplace perfectly — no matter what.

The G500 Sampson Series is Liberty Foundry Co.’s most versatile size-wise, with five different sizes available (all styles feature a leg clearance of 2.75”):

Franklin G Series Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

The Franklin G Series traces its name back to Benjamin Franklin himself. The Founding Father invented the metal-lined fireplace in 1743, and they came to be known as “Franklin stoves”.

Franklin G fireplace grates are relatively straightforward basket-style grates. They’re designed with a narrow depth to be used in smaller fireplaces.

Perhaps the most stand-out feature of the Franklin G Series of cast iron fireplace grates is that that three of the four sizes — the G17-BX, G22-BX, and G27-BX — come with four-inch leg clearance options (instead of the standard two inches) to facilitate additional airflow to help logs burn hotter and longer.

The four sizes in which Franklin G Series grates are available are as follows:

GT SAF-T-GRATE Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

Like the G500 Sampson Series, GT SAF-T-GRATE fireplace grates feature a curved, self-feeding design that allows burned fuel to roll toward the center and bottom of the grate while new wood is set on top.

The SAF-T-GRATES (as their name implies) are designed a bit more robustly than their G500 counterparts — all in the name of safety. As wood burns and shifts around, the sturdy, cast iron SAF-T-GRATES keep wood from rolling out of your firebox and into your living room.

Aside from that, each model features three inches of leg clearance. It’s not quite the four inch ventilation offered in some of the Franklin G models, but it still provides plenty of airflow to the logs as they burn.

The GT SAF-T-GRATES are available in three distinct sizes:

G800 Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

The G800 Series of fireplace grates are made in a very similar basket style to the Franklin G Series grates. One of the main differences is that the G800 grates are made a bit wider for bigger fireboxes (and therefore tend to be a bit heavier).

The G800 grates also come standard with a four-inch leg clearance height, meaning they offer maximum ventilation at all times.

Aside from that, they’re very straightforward cast iron fireplace grates with just three sizes available:

G1000 Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

Finally, the G1000 Series of fireplace grates is designed with the best of both worlds in mind: these are curved, basked-style grates that help ensure that burning wood rolls toward the middle and bottom of the grate.

The G1000 Series comes in two sizes that are made for bigger fireboxes, and both sizes are available with either two-and-a-half or four inches of leg clearance depending on how high you need the grate to be.

With the lightest models weighing in at 30 pounds, the G1000 Series of cast iron fireplace grates are about as robust as Liberty Foundry Co. makes them.

They’re available in two sizes (and each size is available with an optional four-inch leg clearance):

Which Cast Iron Fireplace Grate Should You Get?

If you’ve read this far, you’re likely set on a cast iron fireplace grate. And that’s good news, because it means you’ve started to narrow your search — after all, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of fireplace grate options out there.

Each of the five Liberty Foundry Co. series of fireplace grates has something unique to offer. The Franklin G Series is designed for narrow fireboxes. The SAF-T-GRATE offers the best in safety. The G500 Sampson Series provides the most versatile size options.

And maybe size is what will drive your purchase. But whatever the deciding factors, make sure you consider what you want out of your fireplace grate in the long term.

Because if you make the right choice now, you’ll end up with a cast iron fireplace grate that should last you for many falls and winters to come.

After years of use and abuse from roaring fires, your fireplace grate may be a little worse for wear, especially if it was a middle-of-the-road model. Maybe it’s time for a new one. But a fireplace grate is something you don’t (and shouldn’t have to!) buy very often. So the question is, “How much should I pay for a new grate?”

HY-C manufactures several styles of fireplace grates. Just one of our brands, Liberty Foundry Co., has a few distinct varieties available. In this guide, we’re going to break down the cost of each of our Liberty Foundry Co. fireplace grates. We’ll explain the factors that determine the cost of our grates and, even if you don’t think a Liberty Foundry Co. grate is the right choice for you, you’ll be able to use this pricing guide as a measuring stick against other popular brands on the market.

The Two Big Factors That Determine the Cost of a Fireplace Grate

There are a few things that determine the cost of a fireplace grate. With so many grates on the market — some of which may cost as little as $50 and others as much as $300 or more — it’s natural to wonder why there’s such a big price gap.

And while the factors that determine the cost of a fireplace grate are relatively complex, for the purpose of this guide, we’re going to focus on two of the biggest: grate material and grate size.

1. Grate Material

There are two common fireplace grate materials: cast iron and steel. Steel is the more expensive option of the two, as it’s stronger, has a higher melting point, and takes more time and energy to shape and mold.

As an example, our Sampson G500-20 cast iron grate measures 18” x 15” x 7.5” and costs around $100. Our similarly-sized Steel Bar Grates G200-18 is made of steel, measures a comparable 18” x 15” x 7.5”, and costs around $125.

2. Grate Size

The second major factor that affects the price of a fireplace grate is its size. It’s a pretty simple concept: bigger grates require more material to make, so they cost more than smaller grates made from the same material.

Our Franklin G Series consists of four cast iron grates, all with a similar, basket-style shape. The only difference between them is their dimensions. The Franklin G16 measures 15” x 9” by 5” and costs around $115, while the Franklin G27 measures 27” x 13” x 5.25” and costs upwards of $200. Bigger dimensions mean more material which means a higher cost.

Liberty Foundry Co. Fireplace Grates Pricing

Liberty Foundry Co. manufactures six lines of fireplace grates:

1. The Franklin G Series
2. The G800 Series
3. The G1000 Series
4. The G500 Sampson Series
5. The GT SAF-T-GRATE Series
6. The Steel Bar Grate Series

The price of each grate is determined (among other factors) by its size and the material from which it’s made. Please note that while the following price ranges are fairly accurate, prices may differ from retailer to retailer.

The Franklin G Series

These one-piece, flat-bottom, basket-style fireplace grates are made from cast iron and feature a pained black finish. The Franklin G Series is available in four sizes, and their price increases with size. The G17, G22, and G27 models are also available with a longer four-inch clearance height, which provides more room toward the bottom to accommodate log lighters.

The G800 Series

The G800 Series consists of three styles of grates: the G800-20, G800-24, and G800-27. All three basket-style grates are made of cast iron, and they come standard with a 4” leg clearance length. They feature a painted black finish and are available in three different sizes.

The G1000 Series

Made from heavy-duty cast iron, the G1000 Series consists of two curved, basket-style fireplace grates models. Both grates in the series come standard with a 2.5” leg clearance, but they’re also available with a 4” leg height to offer some more room to light the fire and scoop out ashes. The longer-legged models cost a bit more than the standard versions.

The G500 Sampson Series

The G500 Sampson Series is one of our most robust lines of fireplace grates. These cast iron grates feature a curved design, allowing logs to roll down the grate as they burn and for new, fresh logs to be added on top. They’re modular, too; if you need to elongate your grate, you can purchase an eight-inch-wide extension section and add it to any of the five models.

The GT SAF-T-GRATE Series

Our GT-SAF-T-GRATE Series puts the highest emphasis on safety of any of our grates. They’re very similar to the G500 Sampson series, only bulkier, ensuring embers stay on the grate and don’t fall out of your fireplace. All three models are made from cast iron and feature a self-feeding design to keep old logs rolling down and fresh logs coming in.

The Steel Bar Grate Series

As its name implies, our Steel Bar Grate Series is made of steel — the only line of Liberty Foundry Co. grates not to be made from cast iron. These bar-style grates feature an ember guard mesh, ensuring burning wood stays on the grate and in your fireplace. There are four sizes available in the series, each with a black, painted finish and 4.5” of leg clearance.

Should You Get a Liberty Foundry Co. Fireplace Grate?

That entirely depends. With prices from $100 to $250, our grates tend to be more expensive than other models on the market. One of the problems with those other models, though, is that as time goes on and you use your fireplace more and more, grates made from more budget-friendly materials tend to wear and warp. In some cases, the grate may even break into pieces.

While they’re certainly more of an investment up front, Liberty Foundry Co. grates feature durable metals perfect for those who use their fireplace often. If you only light two or three fires per year, a cheaper grate may be perfect for your circumstances.

The cost of a fireplace grate is probably a topic you rarely (if ever) think about. And when it comes time to buy a new one, you may be left feeling like you have no idea what you should pay.

Now that you have some decent insight into how much a high-quality grate will cost, shop around to see if you can find one with the features to fit your budget. And if you want to give a Liberty Foundry Co. grate a try, we’ll be happy to help you find a distributor.

You probably don’t think much about your fireplace grate. After all, it’s just a metal rack that holds burning firewood. But when the old grate that’s been in your house since you bought it begins to deteriorate, or when you decide to have a fireplace installed in your home, you suddenly realize two things: firstly, you need a new fireplace grate, and secondly, you (probably) have no idea how much they cost.

The short answer is that a typical fireplace grate costs anywhere from $100 to $250. But why the three-figure discrepancy? What determines the price, and how much should you actually spend?

In this guide, we’ll clear up all the confusion and lean on our decades of fireplace grate manufacturing experience to explain what drives the cost of a grate up or down so you can make an educated buying decision.

Top 3 Fireplace Grate Cost Factors

1. Materials

Materials are at the heart of the variables that determine the cost of a fireplace grate. Premium metals like stainless steel and cast iron provide exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and longevity. Stainless steel in particular is strong and resistant to rust, while cast iron offers excellent heat retention.

Mild steel and coated steel fireplace grates, on the other hand, are budget-friendly alternatives to higher-quality metal grates. Just keep in mind that these materials may lack longevity; mild steel tends to be susceptible to rust, while burning firewood may eventually remove the coat on a coated steel grate over time.

2. Metal Thickness

Along with the metal itself, its thickness (or gauge) plays a role in determining the cost of a fireplace grate. Grates made from thicker metal are sturdy and durable. They also stand up against warping under heavy loads and burn-through — the process where, over time, burning wood actually splits the metal of the fireplace grate in half, effectively ruining it.

There’s no question that grates made from thinner metal offer a lower upfront price tag — a potentially attractive option depending on your budget. The downside of thin fireplace grates, though, is that they’re less durable. They may experience warping, bending, or burn-through. If that’s the case, it may be time to buy a new grate a little sooner than you’d expected.

3. Customization and Standardization

Some customers may prefer for their fireplace grate to have a unique design or an intricate pattern. Some fireplaces may have non-standard dimensions that require a customized fireplace grate. In either case, these custom grates usually require additional resources, design expertise, and production flexibility from the manufacturer, resulting in a higher price tag.

It’s much easier (and more cost-effective) for a manufacturer to produce standard-sized fireplace grates. With fewer and more consistent sizes to make, manufacturers can streamline the production process and reduce cost, passing the savings on to consumers.

Why Are Some Company’s Fireplace Grates More Expensive?

As you shop around, you may find that some company’s grates cost more than others. That may seem confusing at first, but there are three big reasons for the discrepancies: the quality of the grates, the manufacturer’s reputation in the industry, and the features the grate comes with.

Premium Quality

Like any other product in any other industry, some manufacturers put more effort into the quality of their fireplace grates than others, and they demand a higher price for their grates as a result. Utilizing top-notch materials, applying meticulous craftsmanship, and creating grates with exceptional performance standards drives up the cost of those grates. These manufacturers may also invest in innovation and research & development for their fireplace grates, passing those costs onto their customers.

Brand Reputation

Sometimes, you pay a little more for the name. Established companies with a strong industry reputation command higher prices for their fireplace grates. Their history of reliability, customer satisfaction, and proven quality come with higher buyer confidence — and a higher asking price.

Exclusive Features and Technology

Though they may seem humble and straightforward, there’s more to a fireplace grate than just a few pieces of metal. Some grates feature advanced airflow designs to keep flames from faltering. Some grates are designed with heat distribution systems, ensuring an efficient burn that pushes radiated heat where it’s supposed to go: into the home. Still other grates come equipped with unique safety mechanisms that prevent embers from spilling out of the firebox. These innovative features and technology are nice to have; just remember that they’ll drive up the price of the grate.

Why Are Some Company’s Fireplace Grates Less Expensive?

On the flip side of the cost coin, some companies do a stellar job producing more cost-effective fireplace grates. How do they pull it off? It boils down to three things: cost-effective manufacturing processes, simplicity in the design of their grates, and appealing to a more general market.

Cost-Efficient Manufacturing and Simplicity in Design

Some companies have their manufacturing processes down to a science. Optimizing production, minimizing overheads, and leveraging economies of scale allow for competitive pricing options and more savings for consumers.

There’s beauty in simplicity — and there’s also cost reductions. Producing fireplace grates with less complex designs that come in standard sizes results in a much more straightforward manufacturing process. You, as the homeowner, will pay less for these grates as a result.

Targeting a Mass Market

Not everyone needs a fancy fireplace grate with all the bells and whistles attached. In fact, most consumers will opt for a grate that prioritizes functionality over premium features. Manufacturers implement lower prices to target these budget-conscious consumers in order to attract a wider customer base — a win-win for the buyer and the seller.

How Much Should You Spend on Your Fireplace Grate?

If you didn’t think much about your fireplace grate before, do probably do now. The materials, the technology, the features, the quality — they’re what determine the cost of the grate, and they’re what you should look out for when you’re making your purchase. Make sure you go over your options with these ideas in mind to find one that fits your budget and your wood-burning needs.

Luckily, after you buy your grate, there’s not much left to do. A bit of simple assembly may be required, but from there, just set it in your fireplace, throw some logs in, and enjoy the crackling comfort. In the meantime, be sure your fireplace has the right chimney cap on top; it will go a long way toward keeping animals out of your chimney and fireplace gasses venting correctly.

Why are the two largest stove board manufacturers located just a few miles apart near St. Louis, Missouri? The story starts many years ago when there was only a single manufacturer of lightweight stove boards. After many ups and downs, that company went bankrupt.

Their top salesperson went to work for Imperial Manufacturing Group, and he built a huge stove board business through his established connections to retailers. But the original company’s equipment (heavy presses and molds & tooling) went up for auction, and HY-C bought that equipment. We subsequently launched what became the second-largest stove board operation in America.

Stove boards have always had a humble but critical role: they keep your house or cabin from burning down when loose embers fall out of your wood stove or fireplace. But despite how important they are, the casual observer may be a bit surprised by how much a stove board costs.

So we’re going to explain how steel and backing material determine the price of a stove board to give you a better sense of precisely what you’re getting for your hard-earned money. We’ll also outline the prices of one of our lines of stove boards to give you a sense of how much you can expect to spend.

How Steel Affects the Price of a Stove Board

It’s easy to question why a product made of such thin steel is so expensive. The answer goes all the way back to the steel mills which produce the basic, raw steel. Steel mills manufacture a range of steel sizes and shapes from thick, heavy sheets to very thin gauges of steel coils. Regardless of the result, steel mills charge for their steel by the pound.

A truckload of quarter-inch-thick steel has relatively few sheets, and those sheets are relatively easy to make. A truckload of high-grade, comparatively thin steel coils, on the other hand, is made with ten times as many square feet of steel as the quarter-inch-thick sheets. Here’s the factor that affects price: both truckloads weigh the same (i.e. their volume differs, but their mass does not). Manufacturers pay steel mills by weight rather than by square footage, so mills prefer to produce thicker grades of steel and avoid producing thinner grades.

Even still, our buyers have great relationships with the mills, and the mills are willing to create thinner grades of high-quality material at a much higher price per pound. The bottom line is that the steel that goes into a stove board “feels” more expensive than it should proportionally to other, heavier steel products that weigh more but cost less.

How Backing Material Affects the Price of a Stove Board

First and foremost, a stove board is a safety device for your home or cabin. And in order to earn the top industry-standard stove board safety rating, the key lies in the quality of the backing material of the stove board.

Both Imperial Manufacturing Group and HY-C use the same backing product: a mineral board produced by USG (formerly United States Gypsum Company) that will not burn under any conditions. The effectiveness of our stove boards is measured in terms of R-value.

R-value is the measurement of how well a material resists the flow of heat — the higher the rating, the more insulation the material provides. For reference, a four-inch-thick layer of brick has an R-value of 0.8. Our stove boards’ mineral backing material features an R-value of 1.56, reflecting its ability to protect surfaces from heat.

If you’ve ever tended to a fire in a fireplace, you know that as the wood burns, the fire can shift, and hot coals or embers may roll out onto a combustible floor or carpet. Our stove boards, made from a combination of steel and the mineral board backing material, shield carpet, flooring, and even walls both from loose embers and the sustained, intense heat coming off the bottom or back of a wood stove.

How Much Do HY-C’s Stove Boards Cost?

Two HY-C brands account for the bulk of our stove boards: Liberty Foundry Co. and Shelter. Before we dive into pricing, it’s important to note that stove boards fall into two categories: type 1 and type 2. Simply put, both types provide protection from embers, but type 2 stove boards provide additional heat protection (meaning that the floors or walls they cover won’t get nearly as hot as they would if they were covered with a type 1 stove board).

The Liberty Foundry Co. collection of EmberGuard stove boards all fall into the type 1 category, while Shelter stove boards may come in either type 1 or type 2. Our stove boards are all made from steel and the mineral backing material; the primary factor that determines price differences is the dimensions of the boards themselves. This table of type 2 Shelter stove boards should give you a general idea of how much you can expect to pay for a stove board based on its size (keep in mind that each board is 1 inch thick):

Stove board pricing varies from retailer to retailer (and from manufacturer to manufacturer), but this table should give you a general idea of what to expect. Each Shelter stove board comes in three distinct colors: black, wood grain, and gray slate. These colors are for aesthetic purposes only; they have no effect on the heat-resistant or fire-resistant performance of the board.

Which Stove Board Is Best for You?

If you have a wood furnace or stove, the risk of not having a stove board far outweighs the price of getting one. Even a small, loose ember that pops free can completely burn a house to the ground if it lands on a combustible surface.

Whether you utilize a lightweight stove board made by one of the big two stove board manufacturers or, alternatively, a heavy-duty tile/aggregate/cement stove board (which are highly expensive but also very attractive), by now you have all the information you need to choose the right one for you. All that’s left to do is find the perfect fireplace grate and your wood burning appliance will be set up for comfort, convenience, and safety.