What is a Chiminea? I asked myself the same question a few years ago. I learned more and ended up purchasing one for my own home. Fire pits are great too.

A chiminea is a freestanding outdoor firebox or stove with a flat, hooded, star-shaped body, usually either a grill or a pan. Although they are similar to a barbecue grill, the cooking portion of a chiminea differs as it does not contain burning ash. Instead, the flames are made from a lighter fluid (charcoal, oil, or gas), and embers are stored in small racks or tubes suspended above the cooking area. There are many benefits and disadvantages of having a chiminea compared to other outdoor grills and stoves. This article briefly looks at some of the advantages and disadvantages of chimineas before determining whether one would be right for your backyard.

How Much Temperature Does a Chiminea Produce?

A chiminea has a very high fire burning rate that can produce hot temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat makes coals used on a chiminea very desirable for cooking. When an individual cooks on a chiminea, the flame dissipates quickly; therefore, burning does not take as long as with other types of outdoor fireplaces. When cooking on a chiminea, the coals do not get too hot, unlike different kinds of grills that may begin to smoke after a short time. The ease of cleaning a chiminea makes it easy to maintain; all that is needed is a quick wipe with a cloth to extinguish any remaining embers, and the grill is ready for use once again.

What are the Features of a Chiminea?

A chiminea is a perfect addition to any backyard as it is both attractive and functional. They are available in various colors such as white, silver, black and red and come differently. Some are portable, and some are permanent fixtures, while others are stand-alone fire pits. No matter what the model, all are beautiful and make a great addition to any backyard.

Other details include the material which is used to manufacture the bowl and chimineas. Aluminum is the most popular, but unfortunately, it is the heaviest of the metals and cannot be moved around easily. Clay is another popular material but is not weatherproof or flameproof. It also tends to deform if subjected to extreme temperature changes.

Stainless steel chimneys are there for people looking for a durable material withstands extreme heat without developing problems or discoloring. However, stainless steel does not maintain its heat for long, and this limitation can pose a safety issue if one should set the fire close to flammable objects such as furniture. On the other hand, aluminum chimneys are lightweight and weatherproof and can be placed just about anywhere in a backyard. This makes them a very convenient option. They are also a very affordable option when compared to clay chimineas.

Is a Chiminea Dangerous?

Some chimineas are equipped with ventilation systems that allow the accumulated smoke to escape the house through the chimney. These chimneys are highly efficient as they do not require an open fireplace. The open fire that is characteristic of fireplaces in the house is absent in these chimneys. Hence, there is no danger posed by flammables escaping out of the house.

As mentioned earlier, some chimneys have an impressive chimney that allows the accumulated smoke to vent outside and eliminates the need to build another fireplace. The chimney in this type of chimney is constructed from clay and hence requires little maintenance. The only care required is to clean the chimney once in a while with a damp cloth to remove the dust.

Closing Thoughts

Before purchasing a chiminea it is vital to ensure that it meets your requirements. Ensure that it has all the right specifications, such as an adjustable height that will accommodate any fire, a watertight seal, and safe to operate. If you intend to use it for cooking or for heating, make sure it has adequate ventilation. To avoid mishaps, make sure to purchase one from a company that has a good reputation.

[amazon table=”1484″]