Chiminea - Buy it for the versatility of enjoying both fireplace and grill!

I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of grilled
salmon and baked potatoes, done to perfection in their chiminea.
The sun was setting and it was cooling down but overall a
wonderful summer evening. We wanted to converse and eventually,
eat our meal outdoors. The bonus: the chiminea offered us warmth
and the smoke kept some of the mosquitoes at bay (some still got
us). I must say, as well as being a great evening, that was one
of the most delicious pieces of salmon I’ve ever eaten. 

Chimineas date back to 17th century Mexico, where they were used
as ovens to bake bread, were for cooking and also a source of
heat. The chiminea was usually placed near a window or in the
center of the hut to allow smoke to escape. They were made of
clay since it was the most readily available material in the
area. Today cast iron, copper and cast aluminum are the
materials of choice for most chimineas although you can still
purchase ones made of clay.

What to consider when choosing a chiminea

Chimineas really are for outdoor use only. If you need a
fireplace for indoors this is not a good choice. So where to
start? Chimineas are tall and narrow and really make sense if
you don’t have a large space but want an area for a fire. Don’t
go too small on the fire area though, or you will be chopping
your wood into bite-sized chimenea pieces to fit the opening. If
don’t need portability you can go heavier and larger. You may
also want to choose a model that has a grate that can be added
or removed for cooking.

Some of the more popular patio and deck chimineas are made of
cast iron. Choose from round, leaf, and designer cast iron
chimineas designed for year round use. These cast iron
fireplaces are designed to be sturdy and provide long lasting
heat retention. Deck, patio and outdoor chimineas store easily
and should be covered with a chiminea cover during the off
season for protection. Copper and cast aluminum are also popular
choices with the latter being the heaviest, most ornate and
needing the least maintenance. See:
http://www.outdoor-fireplaces-and-patio-heaters.com/chiminea.htm

Another consideration is the type of wood you burn. Best choice
is pinon wood or other hardwoods. Pinon has the added advantage
of helping to repel mosquitoes. Mesquite is also another option.
Definitely stay away from pressure treated woods or anything
that has been chemically treated – especially if you are
planning to cook on the fire. Once you are ready to use your
chiminea, start out with a small fire and build from there. And
even if you don’t live in the more fire prone regions of the
country it is always a good idea to have some water or a fire
extinguisher nearby, especially if you are in a small backyard.

Outdoor chiminea fireplaces are great addition for the pool
area, garden, deck, or patio where you will be kept warm outside
to enjoy the immense pleasures of a fire as well as cooking
outdoors with friends or family.