Chimenea
A chimenea, also spelled chiminea, is a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and usually a vertical smoke vent or chimney.
What are chimineas made out of?
How are Chimineas made? Chiminea History Traditionally, a chimenea is made of clay and designed in a wide-bottom vase form, with a narrow, vertical chimney through which to direct smoke and a wide mouth on its side for the fire pit. The chimenea's design allows it to be used in the rain without the water extinguishing its flame.
What is a chiminea stove?
Oct 15, 2020 · A chiminea is an outdoor stove, typically with a potbelly shape and a chimney. Although they’re available in cast iron and cast aluminum, most chimineas are made from terracotta clay. Sold at garden stores and home improvement centers, clay chimineas may be plain terracotta or decorated with colorful ceramic glaze. Because chimineas originated in …
What is a clay chiminea?
Dec 05, 2016 · They are made from wet clay and crafted from two pieces which are joined at a seam and then kiln-dried. These chimineas are heavy, susceptible to wet and cold conditions, and have existed since the mid 17th century according to the Natural Handyman. Clay chimineas have a variety of uses both indoors and as outdoor fireplaces, including:
Does it take a large fire to make a chiminea warm?
Chimeneas, made in Mexico, are outdoor stand-alone fire pits built from clay. Unlike fire pits made from metal, Chimeneas are insulated so that when one is lit, they are warm to the touch and will not burn you. With their built-in smokestack, they are perfect for groups of people who want to sit around the fire without having smoke blown into their faces.
How are chimineas made in Mexico?
Traditional Mexican chimineas were originally made from either terracotta, clay, or “Barro” which is the Spanish word for mud. The wet clay was moulded by hand in two parts, the chimney and the belly. They were allowed to dry naturally for a period of time before being joined together prior to being kiln-dried.
How do chimineas keep you warm?
A chiminea is a fire pit which works by creating a chimney effect, which sends heat up and out into the air. Chimineas are an excellent choice for heating a large area.Jun 16, 2021
How long do clay chimineas last?
Collective wisdom contends that a clay chiminea that is used often can last 5 years or more and will last for many years more if looked after properly.Jun 12, 2021
How do you make a terracotta chiminea?
2:534:12Baja Chimineas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you just start out small let it take the chill off the clay. Okay once it's kind of warmed up toMoreSo you just start out small let it take the chill off the clay. Okay once it's kind of warmed up to the touch. And you can add your bigger piece of wood but you want to let it warm up nice and even.
Can chimineas get too hot?
It's easy to get carried away and try to get the fire too hot – this will likely crack a cheap, clay chim. Clay chimineas are also limited to burning only wood. This limits how hot the fire can get. Metal chimineas can burn coal or charcoal and this produces much hotter longer-lasting fire.Feb 2, 2022
How do I stop my chiminea from smoking?
Minimising Smoke Meaning, the two main ways to stop your chimenea from smoking are to shelter the product and use smokeless fuel. Many fuels will produce more smoke than others. It's best to check the smoke output on the kind of firewood you buy for your wood-burning stove or chiminea.Apr 1, 2021
What do you put in the bottom of a chiminea?
(6) Put sand in the bottom of the chiminea before starting a fire. Hot wood coals can cause the clay to crack. Protect the bottom of the chiminea by covering it with at least three inches of sand. You can also use a small metal wood rack to raise the wood if you chiminea is large enough, but it is unnecessary.
Can you paint chimineas?
They can be easily repainted and protected with Rust-Oleum Stove & BBQ Spray Paint. This quick-drying, ultra-tough, heat-resistant finish is specifically designed for stoves, BBQs and other metal items that generate heat. It offers exceptional colour retention and works at extremely high temperatures, up to 650°C.
How do you keep a clay chiminea from cracking?
Curing a clay chiminea hardens the clay, helping prevent cracks forming when it is being exposed to high temperatures. Put a few inches of sand in the bottom of your chiminea and build up a small fire slowly using balls of paper. Allow this fire to got out naturally and the chiminea to cool down.Apr 10, 2018
Does terra cotta burn?
It is no accident that terra cotta fires red (although the actual raw clay can be brown, maroon, green or red). Red burning low-fire clays are available almost everywhere. They are almost always very impure, contaminated by a range of fluxing-bearing minerals and iron oxide (which produces the red fired color).
How do you make a steel chiminea?
0:0516:38No CNC Chiminea. Beginner Welding Project with Plans - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd cost four hundred and fifty dollars brand-new of course you could always go even cheaper. ButMoreAnd cost four hundred and fifty dollars brand-new of course you could always go even cheaper. But you get what you pay for it you'll need a grinder with a cut-off wheel grinder with a flap disc.
How much sand do you need for a chiminea?
How much Sand Do I Need? This will depend on the size of your chiminea. You should aim to fill the fire bowl 3/4 of the way (or just a few inches shy of the lower lip of the front mouth). TIP – After you put the in, your chiminea will be considerably heavier.Jan 16, 2022
The material of your chiminea matters
Chimineas are made of several different materials and vary in design from smaller and more basic, to larger, one-time placement styles. The usefulness and life of each chiminea depend heavily on what material it is created from.
Is a gas-burner or wood-burning chiminea right for you?
If you plan to have your chiminea inside, you will need a gas-burning chiminea, as there is no way to properly vent a wood-burning chiminea in the home. If your plan is to use the chiminea solely on your wooden porch, a gas-burner would also be appropriate, as you will avoid any sparks that would come with a wood-burning chiminea.
Start out with small fires in your chiminea
No matter what type of material your chiminea is made from, you will have to season it properly. This involves about a week long process of lighting small fires in the fire bowl and allowing them to burn entirely down.
Enjoy your chiminea
The last thing to remember is to enjoy your chiminea. These lovely outdoor fireplaces are an investment of more than just money and offer to provide many great memories for you and your family. Take advantage of these moments every chance you get and make the most out of your time and your investment.
Give your backyard or patio a cozy makeover
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer specializing in decorating and design. She covers home products for The Spruce.
Best Overall: Foundry Select Arneson Steel Wood Burning Chiminea
This wood-burning chiminea fire pit has an attractive modern design that will look great on any patio, and its large form comes at a reasonable price. The chiminea stands 75 inches tall with a 30-inch base, and it’s crafted from steel with an authentic rust patina for an antique appearance.
Best Budget: Better Homes and Gardens Cast Iron Chiminea
Large chimineas can get quite expensive, but the Better Homes and Gardens Chiminea is a more affordable option for small spaces. This fireplace is crafted from heavy-duty cast iron with a bronze finish, and it features wire grates around the whole base for a 360-degree view of the fire.
Best Clay: World Menagerie Midgard Azteca Xl Clay Wood Burning Chiminea
There are still plenty of traditional clay chimeneas out there, and one of the best options is the World Menagerie Midgard Azteca Chiminea. The large fireplace is both beautiful and functional, featuring a classic form made from clay with traditional Mexican patterns all around its chimney.
Best Cast Iron: The Blue Rooster Casita Wood Burning Chiminea
Cast iron is known for its superior heat retention, so once the Blue Rooster Casita Chiminea heats up, it will stay hot, keeping your outdoor living space toasty warm.
What to Look for in a Chiminea
Traditional clay chimineas typically feature a round base with a narrow vertical chimney on top, but today, many chimineas have more modern angular designs.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Camryn Rabideau, a product tester and expert on all things home. She's owned an outdoor fireplace herself and knows what to look for when shopping for an outdoor heating source.
Choosing A Clay Chiminea
When you’re purchasing a new clay chiminea, pay attention to the form it comes in.
Setting Up And Seasoning Your Chiminea
When you receive your chiminea, be sure to read the manual that comes with it.
You're Now Ready to Start a Fire In Your Chiminea!
Now that your chiminea is fully set up, you can light your first fire.
Maintenance And Storage
The clay style chimineas require more maintenance and need to be handled much more carefully than a cast iron or cast aluminum chiminea.
Best Chimineas
Our reviews of the top rated chimineas with our comparison table and buyers guide will help you choose the right one for you.
How to Choose the Best Chiminea – Buying Guide
Now that we’ve taken you through the best chimneys the market has to offer, it’s time to decide which you’ll be bringing home.
