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How to Safely Maintain an outdoor chiminea (learn here)

Outdoor chimineas add warmth and ambience to your garden or patio. They are also a better choice for smaller spaces than traditional fireplaces.

Chimineas are best placed on a fireproof surface like a concrete, brick or stone patio. They should be kept away from eaves and any type of overhead cover that could catch fire.

Types

A chiminea, sometimes referred to as an outdoor firepit, is a type that features an elongated chimney and a hood to direct smoke upwards rather than out. Chimineas can be made from clay or metal, and they come in a variety of styles that match any garden decor. Some chimineas are designed to cook on the fire and help you prepare delicious home-cooked meals or have a snack outside while chatting with your family and friends.

A variety of wood types can be utilized in a chiminea. Oak is popular because it produces heat and burns slowly. However other hardwoods can be utilized. Apple is another good option because it burns slow, releases a pleasant smell and is incredibly versatile. Other choices include hickory, cedar mesquite, pinon and mesquite wood which smell great and produce a pleasant smoke.

Metal chimineas may offer more variety in design than traditional terra-cotta varieties and are less prone to damage caused by rain. However, they can also be prone to corrosion and are usually heavier than clay models. Certain metal chimineas are coated in rust-resistant paint, which helps to prevent them from deteriorating. Cast iron chimineas offer an authentic look, but are the heaviest option.

It is important to prepare your chiminea prior to lighting the fire. This means laying an area of sand or gravel at the bottom. This will prevent ash from spilling out and damaging the base. Then add some pieces of paper and some kindling. As the paper begins to burn, this will trigger an air draft that will swiftly light the rest of the kindling and start the chiminea's fire.

Although a chiminea may be positioned in the center of your garden, it's best to put it away from any structures or 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 ash from flying into flammable materials.

Materials

Your chiminea whether it's made of clay or cast aluminum chiminea iron should be constructed from durable materials that can withstand the heat. You'll need to ensure that your chiminea will fit in your space and can be easy to store and move. It is important to be aware of the amount of smoke your fireplace produces, as too much can cause a problem for neighbors.

The type of wood you choose to use in your chiminea is vital and will determine how hot it gets and how long it will last. No serious chimenea owner would consider burning softwoods such as pine or cedar, and instead will go for more dense, hard woods such as cherry, apple, walnut, hickory, and oak. Hardwoods generate more heat and burn more efficiently than softwoods.

While some people may prefer the look of a traditional clay chiminea there are many modern and contemporary cast aluminum chimineas that have sleek lines and geometric designs. These models 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 areas.

Cast-iron chimineas and clay chimineas need to be maintained including cleaning them and reseasoning them at times. Always place them on a safe solid foundation like terracotta tiles or concrete, or even leveled sand. It is also crucial to avoid water around your chiminea as it could damage the metal and cause cracks in clay or terracotta.

Chimines require a seasoning process in which you ignite a number of small fires, and let them cool down before you can start another. This will increase the heat resistance of your chiminea and give it an extended life span and greater resistance to heat. If you do not take this step, your chiminea could crack or break on its first use. It is recommended to cover your chiminea during winter months or when it will not be used frequently, as it will protect it from snow and rain which could damage it. If you are worried about the security of your chiminea consider choosing a model with an ignition arrestor to protect against dangerous sparks.

Design

Chimineas are an elegant and versatile outdoor fire feature. It is important to remember that, like any other wood-burning fireplace, it needs to be maintained in a way that will prevent damage and ensure the safety of the people who are enjoying the flames. Using protective covers and using the correct cleaning methods will greatly improve the lifespan of your Chiminea.

Chimineas are available in various sizes shapes, shapes and materials to meet a variety of functional and aesthetic requirements. Terracotta clay is a traditional material that gives the classic mexican chimineas style. Metal chimineas have a sleeker, more contemporary appearance and are more resistant to damage.

It is also important to consider the position of your chiminea. The chiminea must be placed in an open area to let air flow. This will maximize efficiency and create a warm ambience around the fire. Additionally, placing it away from the patio cover and overhangs will prevent the accumulation of smoke that could cause damage to these structures.

You could consider installing a mesh screen over the chimney of your chiminea to lessen the amount of sparks that are scattered into the air. To create a barrier, you can use an item or a small-holed fence bent slightly inward. You can also purchase ceramic chiminea tile screens designed to catch sparks, and then lower them into the stack.

While it is tempting to use accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid to ignite a fire, these chemicals could actually harm your chiminea by introducing excessive heat too quickly. This could cause the walls of your chiminea to crack, or shatter. At the very least this could lead to injury and at best the chiminea to be destroyed. Accelerants can also cause the walls of the chiminea to break or shatter, resulting in injuries at worst and a damaged chiminea at the very best.

You can season your chiminea by lighting three or four small fires. This will help the chiminea heal, which will result in less cracks and a lower risk of explosions. It is also a good idea to not to ignite anything other than dry, well-seasoned hardwoods in your chiminea.

Safety

Chimineas are an excellent option to have a relaxing outdoor fire with family and friends. Like any outdoor flame they are a risk to property and people. You can make sure that you and your family members enjoy the warmth from your chiminea in the absence of a fire or accident by following a few easy safety measures.

The first step to ensuring the safety of your chiminea is to ensure it is placed on a non-flammable surface, such as pavers, bricks, or cement. This will prevent the chiminea from tipping over, and minimizes the risk of it setting anything nearby on the risk of catching on.

Use only dry well-seasoned, seasoned wood in your Chiminea. Wet wood does not burn as efficiently and can cause the chiminea to smoke or catch fire. A spark arrestor for a fireplace is a must. This can be as simple as a piece of chicken wire that is bent around the top of the stack, or as complicated as a specially chimney insert with a screen. Spark arrestors prevent sparks from exploding into the neighbor's yard or onto flammable materials such as bushes and grass.

The last thing to do is keep your chiminea at a minimum of 30 feet from anything combustible, such as buildings, sheds clothinglines, awnings, and buildings. This will allow you to avoid a fire accident that could damage or destroy your home.

After you have put in your chiminea and followed the steps outlined above, it is time to take advantage of the radiant warmth and warm flames! Make sure to start small fires with only kindling and slowly increase the size of the wood. Keep a couple of fireplace tools on hand to add logs and light the flame so that you don't have to hold it with your hands. Wearing long barbecue tongs and fire gloves is a great idea when handling hot coals and the grate. This will let you handle the chiminea safely and avoid burning your fingers.