Clean and Check Stove Fire Grates and Bars

The grate takes more punishment than any other part of your stove. It sits directly in the firebed, cycling from cold to red hot every time you light up, and cast iron doesn't forgive that forever. Clear it of ash and clinker before you inspect it properly, then look for cracks, warping, or bars that have burned thin in the middle. A grate that's sagging or has gaps wider than they should be will let unburnt fuel and embers drop through, and it starves the fire of the even air distribution it needs.

Most warping comes from overfiring. If you're running the stove too hot, too often, you'll burn grates out in a couple of seasons rather than many years. Burning smokeless fuel or house coal accelerates this too, since those fuels run hotter and more corrosive than wood. If your stove is multi-fuel, riddle the grate regularly so ash doesn't build up and bake onto the bars.

Replacement grates and firebars are usually stove-specific, so have your make and model to hand. If you're unsure what fits, measure the old part before it disintegrates entirely and send us the dimensions. Fitting a fresh grate is one of the cheapest ways to restore a tired stove to proper burning.