Franklin G Series Fireplace Grates: An Honest Review

A fireplace grate is an essential part of any fireplace — nearly as important as the masonry itself. Grates help to improve airflow around a fire, protect the fireplace from deterioration, make fire management and control easier, and so much more.

But deciding which grate to buy can be a tough task. Between finding the right size, choosing the right material, and paying the right price, it can be difficult to find the perfect grate for your fireplace.

At HY-C, we manufacture several styles of fireplace grates under our Liberty Foundry Co. brand. And to help you find the right one, in this guide, we’re going to take a close look at our Franklin G Series of fireplace grates.

We’ll cover the sizes and dimensions of each grate in the line, the materials they’re made from, how much they cost, and more.

By the time you’re finished here, you’ll be equipped to decide whether or not a Franklin G fireplace grate is right for your heating appliance.

Discover Franklin G Series Fireplace Grates

Franklin G Series Fireplace Grates: Sizes

Not every firebox is the same size. For this reason, manufacturers tend to make fireplace grates of the same style in multiple sizes. The Franklin G line is no exception. When considering the size of each grate, there are four measurements to take into account:

• The front width
• The back width
• The depth
• The height

Most Franklin G grates are not rectangular. Rather, when viewed from the top-down, they’re trapezoid-shaped — the front width and back width are different from each other. 

With that in mind, here are the dimensions of each Liberty Foundry Co. Franklin G Series fireplace grate (and their model numbers):

Notice that three of the four model numbers — the G17, G22, and G27 — offer two different height options. These taller grates exist to make some aspects of building and maintaining a fire easier.

Franklin G Series Fireplace Grates: Heights

With the exception of the G16 style, each Franklin G Series grate is available with two-inch legs and four-inch legs. This option exists for a few reasons.

For one, a higher fireplace grate allows for more airflow underneath the fire. That air feeds the flames from underneath (in addition to the air from above) to ensure a hotter, brighter fire that burns wood fuel more efficiently.

The extra clearance underneath the grate also provides more room for log lighters to get the fire going. Whether you add your kindling underneath the grate or on top of it, those two extra inches of free space make igniting a fire much simpler.

Finally, taller grates make it easier to clean your fireplace. As wood fuel burns, ash accumulates under the grate. The additional space provides more room for a fireplace shovel, allowing you to scoop out ash (and keeping your firebox clean helps to promote a stronger, healthier fire).

Franklin G Series Fireplace Grates: Material

Each Franklin G Series fireplace grate is manufactured using heavy-duty cast iron. Cast iron is an ideal material for fireplace grates for a variety of reasons.

For one, cast iron resists heat. After all, you’ll be burning logs directly on top of the grate, and it needs to be able to keep its form for a long time without warping or burning through. Cast iron handles the flames very well, keeping its form season after season.

Not only does cast iron resist heat well, but it also conducts heat well — that is, it absorbs and distributes heat efficiently. This helps both to facilitate the distribution of heat throughout the firebox (and into your home) and to improve the combustion process overall.

Finally, cast iron is cost effective when compared to other grate metals like wrought iron or stainless steel. Which leads nicely into our final consideration…

Franklin G Series Fireplace Grates: Cost

Each grate in the Franklin G Series is made from the same cast iron material. As a result, the only factor that has any effect on the price of each grate is its size.

A larger grate requires more material to manufacture it, and the more material a grate requires, the more it costs. With that in mind, the following table contains the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) for each Franklin G Series fireplace grate model:

Notice that the G17 and the G17-4 model have a slight difference in cost. The G17-4 is the same grate as the G17, but it features 4-inch legs rather than 2-inch legs. These longer legs mean additional material which results in a slightly higher price.

At the same time, the G22 and the G22-4 cost the same, as do the G27 and the G27-4. In this case, the grates themselves are so large that the additional material between the 2-inch and 4-inch models is essentially negligible, allowing us to pass on some of the savings.

Should You Get a Franklin G Series Fireplace Grate?

From sizes and materials to price, this has been an in-depth look at the Franklin G Series of fireplace grates from Liberty Foundry Co. You may still be wondering, though, if you should get one of these grates. If that question is on your mind, consider the following.

For one, take the size of your firebox into consideration. If your grate is too small, your fire won’t provide enough heat. If it’s too big, the fire will suck up all the oxygen in the firebox, leading to smoldering flames. Make sure one of the four sizes will be a good fit for your fireplace.

Next, think about the materials of the grate. Cast iron is a solid option, but it admittedly won’t hold up as well as stainless steel. Its saving grace is that it’s much more cost-effective; a comparable stainless steel grate can cost hundreds of dollars more than a cast iron grate of the same size.

A Franklin G Series grate is a perfect option for light to medium fireplace use during the winter. It will hold up against the heat, providing warmth and enjoyment for seasons to come.