Cast iron fire grate constructed so smaller pieces of burned wood fall to the fireplace floor through the openings in the grate, creating a bed of hot coals allowing the fire to burn from the bottom up. Raising the fire off the floor of your fireplace creates a hotter fire and helps draft the smoke and fumes out of the chimney instead of into your home. Burning your logs on a grate will also add life to your fireplace by protecting your hearth from direct contact with the flames.