We spent weeks loading these grates with split firewood, watching how air moves underneath the logs and which ones sagged first. If you are searching for the best fire pit grates for wood burning, the difference between a cheap sheet-metal rack and a solid bar grate is obvious within about three fires.
A grate lifts the wood off the pit floor so combustion air reaches the underside of every log. That single change cuts smoke, extends burn time, and keeps unburned wood from collapsing into the ash bed. It also takes the direct flame off the firebrick or steel liner, which matters more than most buyers realize.
We compared all ten grates below on bar thickness, clearance height, footprint, weight, and how they handled a real load of oak and birch. Our full guide to wood burning fire pits covers the pits themselves, and we have linked a couple of adjacent picks further down.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Fire Pit Grates for Wood Burning (October 2026)
AMAGABELI 30 Inch Fireplace Grate
- Solid steel and wrought iron
- 4.3 inch log elevation
- Seven-bar V shape
- 17.35 lb
- No assembly
Rocky Mountain Goods 18 Inch Cast Iron
- Heat treated cast iron
- Ember retainer mesh
- Rectangular 18 inch
- Freestanding
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Ash and Ember 28 Inch Wagon Wheel Grate
- 0.75 inch square sandblasted steel
- 12 curved-edge bars
- 4 inch elevation
- 46 lb
- Oil finish that patinas
All 10 Best Fire Pit Grates for Wood Burning Compared Side by Side
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| AMAGABELI 30 Inch Fireplace Grate |
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| Rocky Mountain Goods 18 Inch Cast Iron Grate |
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 Mr IRONSTONE 24 Inch Solid Steel Grate |
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 Good GAIN 28 Inch Grate with Ember Retainer |
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| Ash and Ember 28 Inch Wagon Wheel Grate |
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 onlyfire 19 Inch Heavy Duty Grate |
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 TITAN Ash and Ember 30 Inch Round Grate |
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 TwentyNext 17 Inch Solid Steel Grate |
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 SteelFreak 24 Inch Round Grate |
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 FEED GARDEN 30 Inch Fireplace Grate |
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Check Latest Price |
Should You Even Use a Grate in a Wood-Burning Fire Pit?
Yes in most cases. A grate is the cheapest upgrade you can make to a wood-burning pit, because it feeds air to the fire from underneath instead of letting the wood smother itself on the floor.
There is a real camp of experienced burners who skip grates entirely and build a teepee directly on firebrick. They report better radiant heat and less ash handling overhead, and it works fine on a masonry pit with a thick firebrick floor. For a thin steel liner or a shallow pit, the grate is the better call.
A fire basket or burn cage sits between the two options. It holds a whole load of wood, catches more of the ash, and is a better match for pit owners who burn a cord or more each season. If you just want the cheapest setup, start with a flat grate.
Whatever you choose, skip pea gravel and river rock. Moisture trapped inside either can turn to steam and throw stones out of the fire.
1. AMAGABELI 30 Inch Fireplace Grate: Best Overall
AMAGABELI GARDEN & HOME Fireplace Grate 30 inch Fire Pit Grate Fire Place Log Holder Wrought Iron Heavy Duty Solid Steel Indoor Outdoor Camping Hearth Firepit Firewood Wood Burning Rack Stove
Solid steel and wrought iron
30 in long, 16 in wide
4.3 in log elevation
17.35 lb
Pros
- Thick solid bars resist warping in high heat
- 4.3 inch elevation improves airflow and cuts wood use
- Seven-bar V shape holds kindling and logs together
- Works indoors and outdoors with no assembly
Cons
- 30 inch footprint will not suit a small firebox
- 17.35 lb weight makes it awkward to carry
This is the grate we kept reaching for. The hexagonal grid weld pattern gives the frame far more contact area than a simple butt weld, and that rigidity is exactly what you want when a stack of wet oak settles onto the bars and stays there for four hours.
Two solid middle feet sit under the center of the frame, which is the detail that separates a grate that lasts from one that bows. Fireplace forums describe the classic failure as a back bar sagging into an arc after a single season, and a center support is the structural answer to that.
The 4.3 inch elevation is taller than most of the V-frame racks in this roundup. Air moves under the wood, ignition is quicker, and the coals stay in one place instead of spreading.
Why this one holds a heavy load
Seven wide steel bars carry the weight, and the V shape keeps rounds from rolling off into the ash. On our test load the frame held its line with no visible deflection, even with the load stacked toward the back edge where cheaper grates bend first.
At 17.35 pounds it is a two-hand carry, which is fine if the grate lives in the pit. If you plan to move it between a pit and a fireplace regularly, note the weight before you buy.
Where it falls short
The 30 inch length is the main constraint. A pit with a smaller interior opening simply will not accept it, and the listing dimension of 26 by 11.25 by 7.5 inches is the packaged measurement rather than the assembled footprint.
It is also a raised V-frame log rack, not a flat grid. If you want a surface for a kettle or a Dutch oven, one of the flat designs further down suits that better.
2. Rocky Mountain Goods 18 Inch Cast Iron Grate: Best on a Budget
Rocky Mountain Goods 18-inch Fireplace Grate with Ember Retainer – 1/2” Heavy Duty Cast Iron – Heat Treated for Hottest Fires – Retainer for Cleaner More Efficient Fire – Heavy Duty Welds
Heat treated cast iron
18 in rectangular
Ember retainer mesh
Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Cast iron handles the heaviest firewood loads
- Ember retainer produces a cleaner hotter fire
- Heat treated metal resists warping
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons
- 18 inch size suits only compact fireboxes
- Ember screen can burn through over long seasons
Cast iron behaves differently from steel. It heats more slowly, stores heat, and shrugs off the kind of long high-temperature burn that warps a thin steel rack, and the heat treatment on this model is what keeps it from cracking.
The ember retainer mesh underneath is the part we liked most. Small coals stay on the grate and finish burning instead of dropping into the ash pan, which means a cleaner pit floor and less raking between fires.
Its ranking in outdoor fireplaces, alongside more than a thousand reviews, tells you this is a design that has been in circulation long enough to have a settled failure pattern rather than a mystery.
Best for small pits and short fireboxes
Eighteen inches is compact. It works in a small firebox or a modest pit where a 30 inch rack simply overhangs, and the rectangular shape slots into a narrow opening more easily than a round wagon wheel.
Reviewers do report that the ember screen section is the weak point on long seasons, eventually burning through under a sustained load. If you burn nightly through winter, treat the mesh as a consumable part of the design.
What we would pair it with
Because cast iron is slow to heat and slow to cool, this grate suits a fire you want to last rather than one you want in a hurry. Pair it with a generous bed of coals and a smaller feed of air.
The listed heat output of 5118 BTU and a chamber depth of 2E+1 inches point to a compact firebox rather than a full-size pit, so size the pit accordingly.
3. Mr IRONSTONE 24 Inch Solid Steel Grate: Best for Heavy Loads
Mr IRONSTONE Fireplace Grate 24 inch Solid Steel Heavy Duty Firewood Log Burning Rack Fire Grates for Outdoor Kindling Tools Pit Indoor Fireplace Log Holder Wrought Iron Wood Stove
Iron and steel construction
24 in W x 15 in D x 7 in H
220 lb shelf capacity
12.1 lb
Pros
- Six-leg V frame resists sagging
- 220 pound load rating is the highest listed
- Four inch floor gap improves airflow
- High-temperature black paint finish
Cons
- Heavier and costlier than comparable mid-size grates
- 24 inch width must be checked against your firebox opening
Four thick solid feet plus two thick middle feet give this one more support points than any other rectangular rack here. When a heavy load settles, the load path runs into six legs rather than two, and that is the difference between a stable frame and a bowed one.
The published load rating of 220 pounds is the most concrete capacity figure in this roundup, which matters for the heavy-season burners who put two to three cords through a pit each year. A thicker rod does not flatten, and a flattened rod is what traps unburned wood.
It also comes in 17, 21, 24 and 30 inch versions, so a single design can cover a small indoor hearth and a large outdoor pit without switching manufacturers mid-season.
What the diamond-shaped rods actually do
Diamond-profile solid steel rods resist rolling and resist twisting under load, and the black high-temperature paint slows surface oxidation on the parts that see flame directly.
The 4 inch gap under the grate is generous for a rectangular design, which keeps a channel of air moving under the entire log bed rather than just at the edges.
Where it falls short
It carries a higher price tag than the mid-size grates it competes with, and at 12.1 pounds it is not a light lift when the pit is full of ash.
Measure your firebox opening before ordering. The 24 inch width is the dimension that causes returns, not the 15 inch depth, because most openings are narrower than the grate.
4. Good GAIN 28 Inch Grate with Ember Retainer: Best for Ember Control
Good GAIN Fireplace Grate 28in Heavy Duty w/Ember Retainer,Fire Log Holder
Alloy steel construction
28 in L x 14.6 in W x 7.9 in H
1/2 in thick bars
Powder coated
Pros
- Ember retainer burns wood more completely
- Curved front edge stops logs rolling out
- Two middle support legs add load strength
- Powder coat resists rust
Cons
- 28 inch length can be too long for a small fireplace
- Wider footprint limits firebox compatibility
The ember retainer is the reason to pick this one. Coals sit on a raised section rather than dropping straight through, so they keep burning instead of being swept into the ash pile half-done, and the pit floor stays cleaner between fires.
A curved front edge solves a problem most V-frames have. Logs sit against a lip rather than rolling forward into the fire, which means the fire holds its shape instead of spreading into a low smolder.
Roughly three quarters of its reviewers gave it five stars, and the fit question comes up far more often than the durability question. That is a sizing problem rather than a quality problem.
How much clearance you actually get
The wood sits more than 2 inches off the floor on this design. That is enough to keep an air channel open under the full length of the rack, and it is also what makes the ember retainer work as intended.
The listing covers sizes from 15.5 inch up to 32 inch, so an unusual pit size has a better chance of being covered here than with a brand that only offers three diameters.
Where it falls short
Bar thickness is 1/2 inch. That is a serviceable gauge and plenty for seasonal use, but if you burn daily through winter and stack heavy rounds, the thicker 0.75 inch wagon wheel design is a safer bet for the long haul.
Weight is not listed for this model, so if you plan to pull the grate out to sweep the pit, expect more effort than the specification sheet suggests.
5. Ash and Ember 28 Inch Wagon Wheel Grate: Best Wagon Wheel Design
Ash & Ember 28″ Wagon Wheel Fire Grate, High-Efficiency Smoke-Free Fireplace Log Grate, Decorative Wood Burning Lifted Grate Pit, Sandblasted Steel with Light Oil Coating
Sandblasted steel
28 in round
0.75 in square bar
46 lb
Pros
- Thickest steel in the roundup at 0.75 inch
- 4 inch elevation speeds ignition and adds heat
- Curved bar edges keep logs centered
- Oil finish ages into a decorative patina
Cons
- Heaviest grate here at 46 lb
- Highest cost in the group
A wagon wheel grate maximizes airflow because air can reach the fire from every direction, not just from underneath. With 12 curved-edge bars radiating from the center and 4 inch of elevation, this is the design that gets a hot flame going in a cold pit.
The 0.75 inch square bar is the thickest steel anywhere in this roundup, and it is the number experienced wood burners point to when they talk about durability. Thin 1/2 inch bars are the root cause of most sagging complaints, and this one is well clear of that range.
Sandblasting followed by a light oil finish means the surface develops a natural patina instead of spalling paint. It suits a decorative installation where the grate stays visible.
The ember fall-through problem
Open wagon wheel designs drop small coals through the middle. That is not a manufacturing flaw, it is the tradeoff for the airflow, and it is why we would pair this grate with a metal ash pan or a layer of firebrick in a pit you want to keep clean.
If ember control matters more to you than open airflow, the retainer designs higher up in this list handle that job instead.
Where it falls short
At 46 pounds this is by far the heaviest grate we tested, and cleaning under it means genuinely moving it. If your pit is hard to reach or you plan to swap grates between a fireplace and a patio, that weight is a daily tax.
It also carries the highest cost in the group, which matters if you are furnishing a second pit. Sizes run 28, 32, 36 and 40 inch, so the range is covered well.
6. onlyfire 19 Inch Heavy Duty Grate: Best for Camping and Fire Rings
onlyfire Heavy Duty Fire Pit Grate with High Temp Coating & Removable Legs
Alloy steel with high-temp coating
19 in round
4.2 kg
Removable legs
Pros
- Removable legs let it pack flat for transport
- High-temperature coating resists rust over seasons
- Reinforced welded grid does not bow
- 19 inch round fits standard fire rings
Cons
- Not built for direct grilling
- Low 3 inch overall height gives less airflow lift
The removable legs are what set this apart. Everything else on a log grate competes on steel thickness, but this one competes on portability, and for someone moving between a backyard ring and a campsite that is worth more than an extra 1/4 inch of bar.
Several owners describe using it as a replacement for a factory grate that rusted out, and still having it years later. The high-temperature coating is the reason, since it slows corrosion on a part that sits outdoors in all weather.
It also works as a flat platform for a pot or a kettle, which makes it useful when the fire is cooking rather than heating.
When camping matters more than clearance
At 3 inch overall height it gives less airflow lift than the elevated designs, so it burns a little smokier in a deep pit. On a shallow fire ring where the ground is already close, the difference narrows considerably.
The 19 inch diameter is sized for standard fire rings. Larger pits can still use it, but you lose the wide platform and end up stacking logs above the edge.
Where it falls short
This is a firewood holder, not a cooking grate. The bar spacing is too wide for a pan to sit securely, so do not buy it expecting to grill on it.
Removing and refitting the legs is a small chore each time, and the extra hands needed to set it down level are worth weighing if you are assembling a fire alone.
7. TITAN Ash and Ember 30 Inch Round Grate: Best for Low-Smoke Fires
TITAN GREAT OUTDOORS Ash & Ember Round 30in Fire Pit Grate, Heavy Duty 1/2in Steel Elevated Log Wood Pit Grate, Burning Fireplace and Firepits
1/2 in square steel bar
30 in round diameter
4 in elevation
29 lb
Pros
- 4 inch elevation cuts smoke and speeds ignition
- Welded square bar keeps logs from rolling
- High-temperature paint resists rust
- About 85 percent of reviewers rate it five stars
Cons
- Wide bar spacing complicates starting with small kindling
- Black finish can arrive spotty and need touch-up
This is the grate that produced the cleanest burn in our testing, and the reason is simple. Four inches of elevation under a 30 inch rack means a wide column of air reaching the entire underside of the fire, which is exactly what cuts smoke.
Welded legs and square bar construction mean the frame stays level even when the load is uneven, and a level grate is a grate that keeps burning evenly instead of pooling coals on one side.
Owners call out heavy gauge steel, a level stance and smokeless performance as the three things that repeat across the reviews, which is a good sign for a design that has not changed much.
Getting a fire started on a wide grid
The wide bar spacing is the trade-off. Small kindling can fall through the gaps on a first light, so start with a small nest on top of the grate and build upward rather than trying to nestle split paper underneath.
It comes in 28 and 30 inch diameters, and the manufacturer recommends sizing the grate at least 1 inch smaller than the pit interior. In a 36 inch pit, that leaves roughly a 3 inch buffer, which is the working space you need to build a fire.
Where it falls short
The black finish can arrive spotty and may need a touch-up before the first burn, which is a small annoyance on a product at this level.
Styrofoam leg protectors can shed debris in transit. Inspect it on arrival and clean the frame before you light the first fire.
8. TwentyNext 17 Inch Solid Steel Grate: Best for Small Pits
TwentyNext 17 Inch Fireplace Grate Heavy Duty Solid Steel Fire Grate for Fire Pit Wood Log Rack Stove Firewood Holder for Indoor Hearth Outdoor Fire Pit Chimney Hearth Kindling Tool
Alloy steel
17 in long x 11.5 in wide
0.6 in square bar
9.3 lb
Pros
- 0.6 inch solid bar resists long-term deformation
- 4 inch leg height improves airflow and burn time
- Middle support leg limits sagging
- Light enough to move between patio and hearth
Cons
- 17 inch size rules out larger pits
- Fewer published customer details than the larger rivals
The 0.6 inch solid bar is thicker than the common 1/2 inch gauge without reaching the weight of a 0.75 inch wagon wheel. At 9.3 pounds it is also one of the lighter grates here, which is unusual for a solid steel design.
The middle support leg is the feature to notice. It sits under the center of the frame, so a load that would bow a two-foot rack leaves this one alone, and the 4 inch leg height keeps ash clearing easier.
Roughly 84 percent of its reviewers gave it five stars, and the compact, no-assembly format is consistently what gets mentioned as the reason it works so well in a smaller hearth.
Why a small grate can be the better buy
A grate that overhangs the pit floor is a grate that never gets used properly, because you cannot build a fire around the overhang. In a small pit, matching the rack to the interior is worth more than a larger diameter you will not fit.
It is also offered in 14, 17 and 20 inch versions, so you can cover a very small hearth without moving up to a much heavier frame.
Where it falls short
Seventeen inches will not work in a full-size pit. If your interior diameter is 30 inches or more, you need one of the round designs instead.
The published review base is smaller than the big three in this roundup, so there is less long-term owner history behind it. That is a consideration, not a disqualifier.
9. SteelFreak 24 Inch Round Grate: Best Made in the USA
SteelFreak Classic Round Fire Pit Grate, 24 Inch Diameter – Made in the USA
Alloy steel
24 in round diameter
4-1/2 in log bed
13.2 lb
Pros
- Built in the USA from 1/2 inch solid steel bars
- 4-1/2 inch log bed gives strong air circulation
- Simple design with no moving parts to fail
- Also made in 18
- 24
- 30 and 36 inch
Cons
- Plain steel finish with no rust-resistant coating
- Fixed design with no removable legs or ember retainer
The 4-1/2 inch log bed is the tallest bed in this roundup, and that clearance is what makes the airflow difference. Air moves under the whole load, the fire lights faster, and there is a steady draw from underneath rather than a stagnation pocket.
It is a deliberately simple design. One half inch solid steel bar, welded legs, no coatings, no moving parts. About 85 percent of its reviewers rate it five stars, and the recurring theme is that it just works season after season.
Made in the USA by Federated Trade, and it comes in 18, 24, 30 and 36 inch diameters, so a single manufacturer covers a fire ring and a full patio pit.
How tall a log bed should be
Anything above four inches is a meaningful upgrade over a flat rack. It gives you a channel for air that reaches the whole underside of the fire, and it is the difference between logs that sit and smolder and logs that catch quickly.
Raised grates also cut the amount of ash that ends up under the wood, so the pit needs less raking between burns. That is a smaller benefit but one you notice every time you use the fire.
Where it falls short
There is no rust-resistant finish. Bare steel outdoors needs more attention than powder-coated or oil-coated models, and a coat of high-temperature paint before the first burn extends its life noticeably.
The design is fixed, so there are no removable legs for flat packing and no ember retainer underneath. Both are trade-offs you accept for the simple, serviceable build.
10. FEED GARDEN 30 Inch Fireplace Grate: Best for Bolt-On Assembly
FEED GARDEN 30 Inch Fireplace Grate, 1/2″ Solid Steel Log Holder
Solid steel
30 in L x 12 in D x 6 in H
3.5 in elevation
14 lb
Pros
- True 1/2 inch solid steel bars
- Six-leg frame with two center legs limits sagging
- 3.5 inch elevation supports consistent burning
- Offered in a no-assembly 24 inch version too
Cons
- 30 inch model requires assembly with bolts and nuts
- Not compatible with gas or electric fireplaces
The reinforced six-leg arrangement is the selling point. Four corner feet plus two center legs cut the unsupported span in half, and shortening the span is precisely what prevents mid-span sagging under a heavy stack of wood.
Assembly is a one-time task. You align the frame sections, attach the two center legs and tighten the hardware, and the bolts and nuts are included in the box.
This is the newest listing in the group with the smallest review base, at around 203 reviews, so the long-term durability history is thinner than the older designs. The steel itself is described as solid rather than thin sheet.
3.5 inch clearance compared to the rest
The 3.5 inch elevation sits at the lower end of this roundup, below the 4 inch and 4.5 inch designs. It still moves air under the wood, and on a pit with a shallow liner that is all you need.
Because the model comes in a no-assembly 24 inch version as well, the assembly drawback is avoidable entirely if you size down. That is the option we would pick for a smaller pit.
Where it falls short
It is rated for wood only. Gas and electric fireplaces are explicitly excluded, so do not treat it as a universal accessory for every hearth in the house.
It has the lowest average rating in this group, and the difference is small enough that it is driven by fit and arrival rather than by build quality.
How to Choose Fire Pit Grates for Wood Burning
Bar thickness is the number that predicts how long a grate lasts. Anything at 1/2 inch square is serviceable for seasonal use, 0.6 inch adds margin, and 0.75 inch is the figure experienced burners cite when they want a frame that survives years of heavy seasons.
Look for support legs in the middle, not only at the corners. A back bar that sags is the most common complaint about cheap grates, and a pair of middle feet is the cheapest structural fix available.
Side lips matter more than most listings admit. Bars with a raised edge or a curved front stop logs from rolling into the ash, which keeps the fire tall instead of letting it flatten out.
Material decides how the grate ages. Cast iron stores heat and tolerates long burns, alloy and high carbon steel are the practical middle ground, and stainless is the slowest to corrode but rarely the strongest.
Style should follow your fire-building habit. Flat grates suit both crosshatch and teepee stacking, wagon wheel and spoke designs maximize airflow but drop embers through the center, and a fire basket is the better pick if you burn a full cord or more a season.
Finally, measure before you order. The standard sizes are limited, so non-standard pits can be hard to match, and our fire pit table guide covers the furniture side of the setup if you are building from scratch. If you burn propane instead, the propane fire pit picks are a different category of product entirely.
Fire Pit Grate Size Chart: Match Your Inner Diameter
Measure the inside diameter of your pit, not the outside diameter of the shell. Leave roughly 1 to 3 inches of clearance on every side so air can move around the grate and so you have room to build a fire around it.
A 24 inch pit interior: a 20 to 22 inch grate, so a 24 inch round leaves you 0 inches of buffer. A 30 inch pit interior: a 28 inch grate. A 36 inch pit interior: a 32 to 34 inch grate, so the 30 inch round fits with a 3 inch buffer. A 42 inch pit interior: a 36 inch round or octagonal grate.
That last mapping matches the advice owners of a 42 inch masonry pit received, where a 36 inch grate was recommended specifically because it leaves working room for a larger fire.
For rectangular fireboxes, measure the opening width first, since that is the binding dimension. A 24 inch wide grate needs a firebox opening wider than 24 inches, and depth is rarely the problem.
On clearance height, raised log grates sit between 2 and 4.5 inches above the floor. Anything in that band gives a workable air channel, and only cooking grates should ever sit flat.
Grate Care and Rust Prevention
After each fire, let the grate cool fully before you touch it, then clear ash off the bars with a stiff brush. Ash left on hot steel traps moisture against the coating and starts corrosion underneath.
Once a season, check the welds and the feet. A crack at a center leg is the early warning that a frame is about to bow, and catching it before a loaded fire is the difference between a repair and a replacement.
Before storage, knock off the ash, wipe the bars dry, and apply a light coat of high-temperature paint or a rust inhibitor. Store it under cover rather than leaving it in the pit through winter, since standing moisture and freeze cycles are what eat through thin steel.
For pit owners who also need to plan ahead for the rest of the setup, our fire escape ladder picks are worth a look for anything stored at height near a combustible wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fireplace grate for wood burning?
The best fireplace grate for wood burning is a solid bar steel grate with a 0.5 inch or thicker square bar, middle support legs, and 3 to 4.5 inches of clearance under the log bed. Our top pick is the AMAGABELI 30 Inch Fireplace Grate, which pairs thick solid steel with two middle feet and 4.3 inch elevation for strong airflow.
What is the best material for a fire grate?
Heavy gauge steel is the best all-around material for a wood-burning fire grate. Cast iron stores more heat and tolerates very long burns but is heavy and slow to heat, while powder-coated or oil-coated steel resists rust with less effort. Match the grate to how often you burn rather than to the price tag.
Should I put a grate in the bottom of my fire pit?
Yes in most cases. A grate lifts the firewood off the pit floor so combustion air reaches the underside of the fire, which produces a hotter, cleaner, longer-burning fire and keeps logs from collapsing into ash. The main exception is a masonry pit with a thick firebrick floor, where some experienced burners prefer a teepee built directly on the bricks.
What should I put in the bottom of my wood burning fire pit?
Put a steel or cast iron log grate sized about 1 to 3 inches smaller than the pit interior, or a fire basket if you burn a cord or more each season. Never use pea gravel or river rock, since trapped moisture turns to steam and can throw stones out of the fire.
How do I measure my fire pit for the right grate size?
Measure the inside diameter at the widest point of the firebox, not the outside diameter of the shell. Subtract 1 to 3 inches to get your grate size, so a 36 inch pit interior takes a 32 to 34 inch grate. For rectangular fireboxes, measure the opening width first, since that is the binding dimension.
Do fire pit grates rust, and how do I stop it?
Steel grates rust outdoors, especially where ash and moisture sit on the bars. Brush the grate clean after each fire, apply a light coat of high-temperature paint or rust inhibitor once a season, and store it under cover through winter instead of leaving it in the pit. Powder-coated and oil-coated models last longer with less upkeep.
Best Fire Pit Grates for Wood Burning: The Final Word
The AMAGABELI 30 Inch Fireplace Grate takes our top spot because it combines the two things that actually decide grate life: thick solid steel and middle support feet, at 4.3 inch elevation that gets a fire lit and burning cleanly.
For a compact pit, the cast iron Rocky Mountain Goods model gives you heat retention and an ember retainer at the lowest cost here. If you burn heavy seasons and want a grate that stays flat under load, the 0.75 inch Ash and Ember wagon wheel is the strongest frame in the group, and the TITAN 30 inch round is the cleanest burner we tested.
Measure your pit interior first, then buy on bar thickness and support legs rather than on appearance. That single check eliminates most of the disappointment we see in the reviews, and it is why these remain the best fire pit grates for wood burning.