How to Choose the Best Chiminea for Your Outdoor Living Space
A chiminea is a wonderful addition to an outdoor living space because it is more durable than a fireplace and produces a focused, controlled flame. Choose models made of metal that resist corrosion and can withstand high temperatures.
Also, make sure your stove comes with an grate for logs and an ax for safe handling. The grate should be able to be removed in order for you to manage the fire without burning your fingers.
1. Terrain Chiminea, Angled Obelisk
This angled obelisk chiminea from Terrain is currently discounted to $33 for a limited period and adds the perfect touch to any backyard. It is made of weather-steel, which is a heat-resistant metal that develops a beautiful rusty patina with time. It's lightweight and portable, and comes with grilling grates so that you can cook your favourite hamburgers while enjoying the crackling flames.
While not as versatile as our top choice, this chiminea is a good alternative if you're looking for an option to add warmth and ambiance to your backyard. The angled design is not only visually striking however, it also draws fresh air to keep the fire burning. Additionally, it has a convenient latch that opens the mouth for easy access to put logs inside and closes it after you're done.
To ensure safety and longevity, you should regularly clean and dust your chiminea. You'll also want to finish the paint on metal chimineas with high-heat paint designed specifically for grills or fireplaces and will help to ward off rust and extend the lifespan of your investment.
In addition to cleaning out dust and ash, you'll also want to make sure that the chimney is clear of obstructions. A chiminea made of metal should have a rain cap to shield it from heavy rainfall that could cause water to splash onto the chimney and potentially start an fire. It is also essential to store your chimney in a dry area during winter.
Cast iron chimineas are typically more expensive than other types of chimineas, but they're sturdy and durable. They're also easy to maintain. They're less likely to rust than steel, and they often develop a beautiful natural patina with time. They can be very heavy however, and you'll need a sturdy back or assistance moving it on your patio or deck.
You can also opt for a chiminea that burns gas if you don't want to carry large piles or wood around. Many of these models have a tank built-in for propane gas, or can be connected to your natural gas line. Some, such as our top pick from the Blue Rooster Company, even include a grill grate and fire poker to allow you to cook your food with your chiminea.
2. Cuisinart Chiminea with Lava Rocks
Unlike dreary looking wood-burning fire pits and awkwardly-shaped propane tower heaters, this chiminea provides stylish, fiery ambience and cozy warmth for your outdoor dining space or lounge on your patio. A directional heat shield forces up to 40000 BTUs of warm air outward to warm your guests for outdoor lunches, sunset cocktails and starlit dinners. The stainless steel base and the sleek painted steel frame are robust. A tip-over safety switch is also included for additional protection. 8 lbs. of red lava rocks are included. They trap and disperse heat for warmth and ambience. You can alter the flames with Clay Chiminea large the heat control system. The heater can reach 200 square feet.
4. Kelly Clarkson Home Chiminea
When you're looking to bring warmth and ambiance to your outdoor space, a chiminea is an excellent option. These wood-burning vessels are able to emit more heat than conventional fire pits, and their vertical chimneys assist in directing smoke away from seating areas. There are a variety of designs and sizes to pick from, including updated takes on traditional clay models and others being vintage-inspired models constructed from cast iron or steel, which develops a handsome patina over time. Chimineas are able to be installed on wooden decks. They are safe to use unlike traditional fireplaces that burn wood.
There aren't many chimineas that look contemporary, but this model by Kelly Clarkson Home is a standout with its sleek lines and gray tone-on-tone finish. It features a large opening that's easy to fill with logs and comes with a cover for the poker, a mesh, and log screen for safe use. Grill grates are also included for cooking food over the fire.
Though the curved legs on this chiminea may not be ideal for uneven surfaces, they are able to support its considerable weight. It's one of the tallest and widest chimineas on our selection, and it weighs just over 30 pounds--meaning it won't require many people to move it around your patio. It's one of the tiniest chimineas in our list. This makes it a good choice for small spaces, like cement balconies or large urban patios that are the size of a postage stamp.
This obelisk with an angled design is a fashionable and reasonably priced option that's currently offered for sale at Terrain. It's a little larger and shorter than the other obelisk-shaped chiminea on our list, and it's made of weather-resistant steel and a dark oxidized finish that will slowly develop a rustic patina with time. The wide opening allows for an enormous fire to be constructed. It also has the option of a mesh screen, log-screen, a poker, and an oven grate.
Though chimineas aren't as popular as fireplaces with built-in outdoor units, they're a great option to enhance your patio and making your backyard more inviting and cozy. With their distinctive design and practical features, these multi-purpose fire pits will become your new favorite method to enjoy the outdoors.