Tips for Choosing a Chiminea for Your
Backyard or Patio
by: David Caban
 Imagine
that you want to stay warm in your backyard on a cool, starry night. One of the
ways you can do so is to invest in a clay or cast iron chiminea. A chiminea is
nothing more than the modern version of a traditional Mexican outdoor fireplace.
This type of outdoor fireplace was used for hundreds of years as a source of
warmth and a place to cook. Nowadays you see them in many backyards as sources
of warmth and as accent pieces adding charm to a patio or garden.
You can find chimineas made of clay, aluminum and
cast iron. Which one you choose depends on what style fits your patio or
backyard and how much money you are willing to invest. (Note: There are several
accepted spellings for a Mexican fireplace. The common spellings are: chiminea,
chimenea, chiminia, chimenia.)
Choosing a Clay Chiminea
When choosing a clay chiminea, you should look to
see if the fireplace was air-dried or kiln-dried. In general, an air-dried
fireplace is usually “untreated.” This means you would need to paint it and seal
it before use. Kiln-dried versions are typically prepainted and sealed.
Clay chimineas are constructed in two pieces. The
bottom piece, called the “bowl” is the largest piece, and looks like a potbelly
stove. The smokestack, or “neck” is attached separately on top of the bowl. The
joint where the two pieces come together is usually rather weak, so you should
never lift a clay chiminea from the neck.
In general, clay chimineas are not designed to
handle large fires for extended periods of time. They are also more likely to
crack and break than a cast iron or aluminum model.
Finally, remember that a clay chiminea is nothing
but a combination of water and dirt. If you let it sit in water long enough, it
will turn back into mud. Therefore, cover it during rainstorms and never let
your clay fireplace sit in a pool of water!
Cast Iron and Aluminum Chimineas
In general, a cast iron or aluminum chiminea is
more durable and sturdy than a clay version. Although they tend to be heavier
than clay models, they won’t crack or break as easily. However, they will need
occasional maintenance.
For example, if you leave a cast iron chiminea
outside long enough, it will rust. Rust is a normal occurrence, so if you sand
out the rust spots and paint them as they appear, your fireplace should give you
many years of enjoyment.
Cast aluminum models are relatively low
maintenance, lighter in weight than cast iron, and also rust-resistant.
Therefore, painting and sanding is not necessary.
What to Look for in All Chimineas
As you shop for a Mexican fireplace, pay close
attention to the size of the fire bowl area. This is where you will be placing
the wood to burn, so be sure it is large enough to accommodate adequately large
pieces of wood. The size of the fire bowl is more important than the height of
the neck.
You might also consider purchasing a spark
arrestor for your chiminea. A spark arrestor is a mesh screen that you place
over the chimney hole to prevent sparks from escaping. You might also consider a
spark arrestor for the front of the fire bowl, too.
A modern Mexican chiminea is a great addition to
any backyard, both as a source of heat and as a decorating accent piece. Make
your choice between clay, cast iron, and cast aluminum models. With a little
yearly care, you will have a wonderful conversation piece for your patio or
backyard. Plus, you will have a romantic and charming way to stay warm as you
gaze into the sky on a cool and starry night.
David Caban is a successful author and
publisher of outdoor patio furniture advice. His website,
http://www.best-in-patio-furniture.com,
is a one-stop source of free information on patio furniture and outdoor décor
for patios, decks and porches.
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