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What you Need to Consider in your Search for a Chiminea

The tribesmen back in Mexico, during the 17th century, introduced to the world of fire pits and fire places a new structure that served the same purpose. Its characteristic long neck attached to the rounded bottom resembles a chimney and serves a similar purpose there as well. It is an outdoor fireplace that can also be used to grill skewers and cook meat. When not in use they are an ornamental addition to the garden or patio. These are normally made up of clay, aluminum and cast iron. You must know some facts about chimineas before deciding the kind of chiminea that would be apt for your backyard or other outdoor living space.

When it comes to choosing clay chimineas it sure does sound like a pretty good idea because that is how traditional chimineas used to be.  And when used for cooking it produces a lot of heat and its temperature raises high in a short span of time. The food cooked in these clay chimineas may have a different flavoring as well that comes in with the mixture of charcoal and clay particles. These clay chimineas can be either air-dried or kiln-dried. The air-dried version is generally the untreated version and may need some painting to be done to completely coat and seal it. The kiln-dried versions do not require any extra touch ups. The clay chimineas are weakly bound at the neck of the structure i.e. the junction between the end of the round bottom and the start of the neck-like structure so it is not advisable to carry the chimney at the neck.

Metal chimineas as compared to clay chimineas are way better with a lot of advantages over their clay counterparts. Metal chimineas are considerably stronger and more durable. They cannot be easily damaged or broken like the clay chimineas. They do not allow seepage of water into their bodies unlike clay chimineas and thus do not have the limitation of not being able to use in moist surroundings. They also conduct heat very efficiently. However, all the burning activity might give rise to rust on the metal body which needs to be maintained every now and then. Even then the rusty body gives it an antique look and it only enhances its presence as an attractive show piece.

Another thing to be considered is the size of the opening for the fuel inlet. It should be large enough to easily accommodate wood pieces of variable sizes. So it would be productive if you choose a chiminea with a larger bottom. You can also purchase a spark arrester which is a mesh like structure that can be used to cover the opening at the top of the chiminea or at the opening at the bottom. This would prevent sparks from escaping outside and damaging the surrounding. In all, it is a great addition to your backyard with all its uses and its heating properties.  Chimineas are a great addition to any outdoor living space.

Why Chimineas Make Great Outdoor Fireplaces

If you’ve just begun your research on outdoor fireplaces you may not yet know what a chiminea is.  A chiminea is a free-standing outdoor fireplace, but unlike a raised fire pit it is generally enclosed.  Although you can find some that have a 360 degree view of the fire most of them are enclosed with a door on one side where you load the wood and start the fire.  Since they are free-standing you can move them if you need, whether you move to a new home or just redecorate your outdoor area.

Chiminea Basics

Traditional chimineas have a long slender neck and a bulbous body.  The neck is designed to provide greater airflow so you have a more efficient and cleaner burning fire, it also helps to direct the smoke into the air instead of into the faces of those sitting around it.  The body holds the fire and for the traditional models with an enclosed body it contains the fire so you don’t have popping wood or sparks jumping out.  You also don’t have the problem of a gust of wind blowing embers into the grass, bushes or any other potentially dangerous area.  The enclosed design also makes it easier to start the fire. 

Types Of Chimineas

There are two basic types of chimineas, metal and clay.  Clay chimineas were the first ones that were developed.  They provide a great Southwestern feel and many of them have decorative designs or colors to add a little more character.  They provide a good amount of heat and they are an attractive style but unfortunately they don’t last as long.  Clay is prone to chip or crack so they aren’t the most durable choice.

Metal chimineas are usually made out of cast iron or cast aluminum.  These are much more durable than the clay version especially when you buy a good quality one.  If you buy a quality one and follow maintenance guidelines you should have it for a very long time.  Metal chimineas may require repainting in places every few years so they don’t rust, but if you do this it should really last you.  These types also have decorative designs and they come in different tones so it’s easy to find one that fits the feel of your outdoor area.

More Cast Aluminum Chiminea Articles