How to Safely Maintain an Outdoor Chiminea

Outdoor chimineas add warmth and ambience to your garden or patio. They are also more suitable for small spaces than traditional fireplaces.

Chimineas must be placed on a fire-proof surface like a patio constructed of bricks, concrete or stones. They should not be placed close to eaves or any overhead cover that can catch fire.

Types

A chiminea, also known as an outdoor chiminea fireplace firepit, is a type that features a chimney with a tall hood to direct smoke upwards rather than out. Chimineas can be made from metal or clay, and they come in a variety of styles to fit in with any garden decor. Some chimineas can also be used to cook on the stove. This allows you to prepare delicious meals or outdoor snacks with your friends and family.

Many types of wood can be used in the chiminea. Oak is the most popular since it produces heat and is slow to burn. However other hardwoods can be used. Apple is also a good choice because it burns very slowly, emits a pleasant scent and is a versatile choice. Other alternatives include cedar wood mesquite, hickory wood and pinon. They are aromatic and create a pleasant smoke.

Metal chimineas can provide more variety in design than traditional terracotta models and are less prone to damage caused by rain. However, they may be prone to corrosion and are typically heavier than clay models. Some metal chimineas have anti-rust paint that protects them from weather. Cast iron chimineas give an authentic look, but are the heaviest option.

Before you can start an igniting fire in a chiminea, it's important to prepare the area by placing an even layer of gravel or sand at the bottom to stop any ash from spilling over and ruining the base. Then, you can add a few pieces of paper and some kindling. When the paper begins burn, it triggers a draft that will quickly ignite the remainder of the kindling and begin the fire in your chiminea.

It is recommended to keep a chiminea out of reach from buildings and plants. You should also leave plenty of room around it in the event that it tip over or gets too hot. Covering the chimney with metal mesh will prevent sparks and the ash from flying into flammable materials.

Materials

If you decide to go with clay or cast iron chiminea iron, your chiminea needs to be made of a durable material that is able to stand up to the heat. You should also ensure that your large chiminea is built to fit in your space and is easily moved and stored. It is crucial to be aware of the amount of smoke your fireplace emits in order to avoid having too much cause a problem for neighbors.

The kind of wood you choose to use in your chiminea is crucial and will determine how hot it gets and how long it lasts. Hardwoods such as cherry, apple and walnut are preferred by serious Chimenea owners over softwoods. Hardwoods burn longer and more efficiently, producing far more heat than softwoods.

While some may prefer the appearance of a traditional clay chiminea you can also find modern and contemporary cast aluminum chimineas that have modern lines and geometric designs. They are also lighter in weight and can be used with wood-burning and gas-burning fires making them an ideal option for a variety of outdoor spaces.

Cast-iron chimineas and clay chimineas must be maintained, including cleaning them and reseasoning them on times. Always place them on a safe solid foundation, such as terracotta tiles, concrete or leveled sand. It is also essential to keep water away from your big chiminea as it can damage the metal and crack clay or terracotta.

Chiminesas require an initial seasoning process where you light a few small fires and let them cool down before you can start another. This will increase the heat resistance and tolerance to heat of your chiminea. If you skip this step, your chiminea can crack or break in its first time of use. It is recommended to protect your chiminea in the winter months or when it won't be used frequently, as it will protect it from the elements of snow and rain that could cause damage to it. If you are worried about the security of your chiminea think about getting a model that has a spark arrestor that will protect against dangerous sparks.

Design

A chiminea is an attractive and versatile outdoor fire feature. It is essential to remember that, like any other fireplace that burns wood it must be maintained in a way that will prevent damage and ensure the safety of people who are enjoying the flames. Using protective covers and proper cleaning methods can make a significant difference in the lifespan of your chiminea that has been decorated.

Chimineas are available in different sizes shapes, shapes and materials to suit a range aesthetic and functional requirements. Terracotta clay chimineas have a traditional appearance and have a classic Mexican-inspired style. Metal chimineas provide modern, sleeker look and are more resistant to damage.

It is also crucial to consider the location of your chiminea. The chiminea must be placed in an open area to let air flow. This will increase efficiency and create a warm atmosphere around the fire. In addition, positioning it away from patio covers and overhangs prevents the buildup of smoke, which could damage the structures.

If your Chiminea has a chimney you might want to consider protecting it by a mesh screen to reduce the amount of sparks that fly across the space. To create a barrier, try using the fence with a small hole bent slightly inward. You can also purchase ceramic tile screens that is designed to capture sparks, and then drop them below the stack.

It may be tempting to make use of lighter fluid or gasoline as an accelerant in order to start the chiminea's fire. But, these chemicals can harm your chimineas when they create too much heat it too fast. This could cause the walls of your chiminea outdoor fireplace's walls to crack or shatter. At the worst, this could result in injury and at best the chiminea to be destroyed. Additionally, accelerants can also cause your chiminea's chime to explode, which is incredibly dangerous for anyone in the vicinity.

It is recommended to spruce up your chiminea by gradually increasing the size of the fires you put in it over three to four small burns. This will help the chiminea to heal which will lead to less cracking and less risk of explosions. Additionally, it is best to only use dry, well-seasoned hardwoods to burn in your chiminea.

Safety

Chimineas permit you to enjoy a fire in the outdoors with your family and friends. However, just like any outdoor flame they can cause danger to property and people. You can make sure that you and your family enjoy the warmth of your chiminea in the absence of fire or accident by following a few basic precautions.

To ensure the safety of your chiminea, you should first place it on a nonflammable surface like pavers, bricks or cement. This protects the chiminea from falling over and decreases the chance of it igniting anything nearby on the risk of catching on.

Use only dry, seasoned wood in your chiminea. The wood that is wet will not burn as well and could cause the chiminea, or its contents, to smoke. A spark arrestor for a fireplace is a must-have. This can be as simple an ad-hoc piece of chicken wire twisted around top of the chimney stack, or as elaborate as a screen chimney insert. A spark arrestor can prevent sparks from escaping out of the stack into your neighbor's yard, or onto flammable materials like bushes and grass.

Last but not least, keep your chiminea a minimum of 30 feet away from anything that is flammable, like buildings, sheds clothinglines, awnings, and buildings. This will prevent an accidental fire that may damage your home or property.

Once you have set up your chiminea and followed the precautions listed above, it's now time to bask in the radiant warmth and warm flames! Be sure to build small chiminea fires, using only kindling to get the flame going and then slowly adding more wood to the blaze. Keep a pair of fireplace tools on hand to add logs and light the flame so that you don't need to touch it with your hands. It is also an excellent idea to wear long barbecue tongs while dealing with the hot grate and coals, along with a pair of gloves for fire. This will allow you to handle the chiminea without burning your hands.