The DGR: Two Rows of Tubes for Long Winters
Share
When the room is big and the winter is long, one row of tubes is good, and two rows are better. That's the DGR.
Most folks start with a Hard Times Heater (HTH) or a single-row GR. The DGR is where you go when you want the most steel in the fire.
The problem it solves
An open fireplace is an air leak. Warm room air rides up the chimney, and the cold creeps in behind it. A grate heater catches the fire's heat in the coal zone and blows heated air back into the room. The more tube surface meets the fire, the more heat comes off the steel and into the house.
The DGR doubles the tubes and adds an extra fan for more blowing power. More steel, more air, more heat.
One row is fine, two rows divine, for a long, cold winter's line.
How the DGR works
The DGR stacks a second row of tubes, so there's more hot steel in the coal zone. Fans push room air through both rows, and turbulent flow keeps the air tumbling against the steel to pick up heat. The tubes are blower-cooled, so the steel doesn't glow and burn away.
Tube counts by width:
- 14DGR: 13 tubes
- 16DGR: 15 tubes
- 20DGR: 19 tubes
- 24DGR: 23 tubes
- 30DGR: 29 tubes
- 36DGR: 35 tubes
All of them use 1" round tube, and the tube length follows the TD you pick: 14", 16", 20" or 24". The second row adds 2" to the height of the tubes you choose. The legs give an extra 3" of adjustable height.
It's fully welded, designed by an aerospace engineer, and built in Texas. We've been family operated since 2000.
How to size one
Measure the full opening: front width, back width, height, and depth at the bottom and the top. Our fireplace dimensions guide shows where each one goes.
- Size to your bottom depth.
- Check your height. The second row adds 2", and the legs can add up to 3" more. Make sure it fits under the top of your opening with room for a fire.
- Doors? If you have glass doors, choose a depth that fits behind the shut doors.
If your firebox tapers sharply toward the back, look at the TGR. If you want a full grate with a single row, the GR is the classic. And if your fireplace is an odd size, Pre-Order means your heater is built to fit your fireplace.
Options
- Finish: seasoned steel is the default, like a cast iron pan. It darkens with use. Paint is a custom option.
- Variable speed: variable speed fan control is a custom option. It's handy with a bigger heater, so you can turn it down on mild nights.
- Ash tray: a lift-out ash tray is an option on the DGR, GR and TGR.
Who it suits
The DGR is for big rooms, wide fireboxes and folks who burn a lot of wood over a long winter. If you're heating a smaller room or want to start small, an HTH or a GR may be all you need.
Caring for it
The DGR asks for very little. Keep the fans clear of dust and keep the air path open so they can do their job. When the season's done and the steel is cold, rub it down with cooking oil, the same way you'd care for a cast iron pan. Over the years it darkens toward a gun-blue patina, and it's ready to go again when the first cold snap rolls in.
Got a welder?
The DGR qualifies for the DIY kit, which is 35% off the ready-built heater for folks with a welder and metalworking skills. See how it works on our DIY kit page.