Although fireplace grates developed firstly in the form of wood fireplace grates they were basically simple in design and it was not until the increased use of coal in the late eighteenth century that fireplace grates became more ornate in design. This decline in the use of wood as a domestic fuel, coupled with a better understanding of fireplace technology and the development of cast-iron, led to a proliferation of novel designs for more efficient fitted cast iron grates.
During this period the hob fireplace grate, which was fitted into the lower half of the fireplace opening became popular. This type of grate featured wide decorative cast-iron front panels, fitted on each side of a high fire basket, and hob plates that could be used for keeping pots and kettles hot. Moving on in this evolution the register fireplace grate was a further development. This fireplace insert grate had a front frame and had cast-iron back and side panels, which lined the upper part of the fireplace. A closure plate sealed off the chimney opening above except for an aperture controlled by an adjustable plate known as a register. However the name register fireplace grate eventually came to mean any fireplace grate with a front plate that fitted the fireplace opening, regardless of whether a register was fitted. Today this type is often referred to as a fireplace insert grate.
Late eighteenth century register fireplace grates in polished steel sometimes had wide baskets with small side hobs, under which ran a pierced decorative apron. Although the register plate offered some control of heat loss up the chimney and slowed the rate of burning by restricting the air flow, it didn't solve all the problems, especially since the fire basket was set too high.
Until the mid nineteenth century, fireplace grates were generally either square or rectangular and most were still made entirely of cast iron. The second half of the century saw the epitome of the Victorian cast iron fireplace grates with the introduction of the arched fireplace grate. This had a smaller fire basket set at a lower level and lined with firebricks, while the register became a semi-circular flap or damper that was opened once the fire was alight. This style of efficient fireplace grates remained popular until the end of the century.
Around 1870 a new fireplace grate style emerged that had a narrow rectangular opening with splayed sides decorated with tiled panels. The fire basket was now set very low, and the front bar lifted out as a single unit. An ash pan, fitted underneath, helped control the flow of air, and this has become one of the best fireplace grates.
By the 1930's cast-iron fireplace grates had been ousted by plainer one-piece units, combining fireplace and mantel as a single entity. Later fireplace grates were of the fireplace grate tubular design that allowed more of the heat of the fire to be collected. Whilst antique fireplace grates are available from salvage yards they can be expensive. Modern fireplace grates are available from such manufacturers as Stoll fireplace grates that not only mimic traditional designs but produce modern radiant fireplace grates, see-thru fireplace grates and even candle fireplace grates.
