unless you want a roaring fire.

If you have a fireplace, and have an occasional fire, do away with the grate.  Not only will you use less wood, but, if you tend to the embers, and keep them together, you will end up with only ashes, no charcoal-like chunks.

There is a safety factor to consider.  Without a grate to contain the burning logs, they must be placed going from front to back, not side to side.

You can also cut or remove the legs from the grate if you prefer.

The trick is to restrict the flow of air to the bottom of the fire.

You'll burn half the wood, maybe even less with the fire right on the hearth.

actually had no idea. makes sense though. oxygen feeding the fire from every angle burns the wood faster. my new place has a fireplace and i didnt even get a chance to master my own fire there. at least im catchin fish!!  sorry that was cold