Getting together with friends and family is one of the best reasons why we all have backyards. Instead of spending a lot on a fancy patio furniture, a typical way to relax and enjoy some down time on a beautiful spring day is to set up a grill on your backyard.
Grilling is entertaining and fun. Imagine you get together with your family, and you have your choice of cooking some delicious burgers and hot dogs or preparing some steaks charred to your taste.
But wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to contend with the smoke that will fill up the air up and your backyard? Wouldn’t you like to prepare some delicious ham and cheese sandwiches and still enjoy the afternoon?
If you want to enjoy your afternoon with your family and friends, without the smoke then you need to get a clay chiminea.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| BALI OUTDOORS Outdoor Fireplace Wooden Fire Pit | Best Overall |  |
| The Blue Rooster CAST Aluminum Grape Style Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal. | Budget Pick |  |
1. BALI OUTDOORS Outdoor Fireplace Wooden Fire Pit
Pros:
- Sturdy steel construction
- Equipped with a spark guard
- Wood grate included
- Tall chimney
- Very lightweight
- Comes in several sizes
- Built-in handles
- Made in India
- Comes with a cookbook by award-winning Chef Susan Fagas
- Compatible with many large firepits
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with tools
- May arrive damaged
- Paint chips easily
- Takes time to heat up
- Handle gets hot
Large 60-Inch.
2. Sunnydaze Modern Chiminea
Pros:
- Comes with a spark screen and poker
- High-quality design
- Heat remains concentrated and focused
- Easy to assemble
- Nice paint job and pleasing finish
- Does not come with logs but are easy to add
Cons:
- Not very sturdy, top tends to fall into the fire
- Lid is very easy to knock off
- Lid does not stay on well
Contrary to popular belief, a chiminea is not the same as a fire pit. In spite of their similarity in looks, chimineas are actually little fuel-efficient fireplaces. Wood is heated in the chiminea’s firebox then that heat is brought into the fireplace chamber where the heat radiates into the patio or backyard. Chimeaas are great for providing a more natural landscape in your backyard. Chimineas also provide a fuel-efficient alternative to propane outdoor fire pits.
3. Chiminea Outdoor Fireplace
As mentioned in the introduction, the bocce ball set from GoSports is not the only product we considered before making a final decision. We also spent time researching other bocce ball sets and for a small segment of that research, we considered Top Pick Award winners. And although they didn’t make the cut in the end, as we always put the customer experience first, we want to summarize them here for your convenience.
Sure, it’s optional to play with regulation size bocce balls, but what exactly are they? The size of a regulation bocce ball is approximately 1.5 to 2.25 inches (4.5 to 5.7 cm) in diameter and weighs anywhere between 2.3 and 2.8 ounces (65 and 78 g). So, when buying a bocce ball set, it’s important to know the regulations for the game you’ll be playing, because otherwise, it’ll be up to the players to decide the size and weight of the balls.
4. The Blue Rooster CAST Iron Sun Stack Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal.
Pros:
- Can be used indoors and out
- Heats up to 1000 square feet.
- Made of high quality materials.
Cons:
- Has a tag that says it is not suitable for outdoor gas burning.
- It weighs a little over 100 pounds.
- Lighting the fire takes some time and requires two people.
The Blue Rooster CAST Iron Sun Stack Wood Burning Chiminea is a chimney shaped metal stack that has a capacity to heat up to 1000 sq. ft. It can be used indoors and out. It is made of high quality materials and contains a manufacturer warranty. Plus, it is a durable, long-lasting, clean safe, all-natural source for heating and cooling homes that is cost effective.
The Blue Rooster CAST Iron Sun Stack Wood Burning Chiminea feels substantial. It weighs almost 100 pounds and has a diameter of 26.5 inches. It’s constructed of iron that has been protected by high gloss powder coating. It has proper ventilation for allowing air to enter and exit. It uses clay flower pots as the stack protection and also helps in the making of a spark catcher. The flower pot is designed to simultaneously serve as a balcony and chimney. The base also includes a heat resistant fire brick. According to The Blue Rooster, this is the original Sun Stack Chiminea.
5. The Blue Rooster CAST Aluminum Grape Style Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal.
Pros:
- Large flames to warm a larger area
- Looks great
- Can be used as a decorative piece in your home or as the perfect prop when entertaining
- A big crack has been fixed by the manufacturer
- Sturdy ceramic bowl, holds a good amount of wood, which burns slowly with little ashes
- Excellent customer service
Chimineas originated in Mexico centuries ago and have since become a popular backyard accessory in areas with milder winters. They’re essentially outdoor fireplaces that use burning wood as fuel, so it actually radiates heat. Most outdoorsmen prefer cast-iron materials as they’re resistant to rust. That’s why we’ve featured the Blue Rooster CAST Aluminum Grape Style Backyard Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal for our best clay chiminea alternative. An added bonus is that it’s built on a steel frame, which makes it the perfect accessory for all types of weather.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best material for a chiminea?
The first decision to make before buying a chiminea is what material you’d like it to be made of. They are usually made of metal, clay, or terra-cotta.
Metal chimineas are often very affordable and the most popular. They are heavier and have more practical applications, but they can also be dangerous. They’re also not great for cooking.
Clay and terra-cotta chimineas are usually built with fireproof ceramics like clay or ceramics. They tend to be smaller and less practical for outdoor use, but they are more comfortable for kitchen use, especially in colder or wetter weather.
Which is better fire pit or chiminea?
Both can be used either as the main source of heat, or as an accent that complements other appliances.
Fire pits are usually made of metal, can function as barbecues, and are often placed in the open as part of an overall outdoor living area.
Chimineas are traditional clay or metal enclosures that enclose a fire and is most commonly used in the mountains as a source of heat and light in a den, patio, or deck.
The main difference between the two is that chimineas cook food at a lower temperature than fire pits; also they are used for heating large areas.
According to Greg Dawson of Fire Pits and Patio Heaters, a fire pit can heat anything within 2-3 feet of its flames.
Fire pits are literally contained fires, and with space around them to allow for air to circulate, and oxygen to feed the fire.
Which is better cast iron or clay chiminea?
The tradition of building and using a clay chiminea probably started with the Spanish. They brought this lovely fire pit to America in the 1500s and it’s been a symbol of American home and family gatherings ever since.
Chimineas are made from clay released from sedimentary rock. This sedimentary rock is a combination of minerals and fossils that form together to create a substance with natural insulation properties. These are the traits that make this chiminea so incredibly effective at smokin’-it has a completely sealed base and the clay can maintain steady temperatures for hours.
Enclosed clay chimineas benefit from the compression of the clay. The fire bowl offers plenty of space to spread out the fuel to make it burn longer. Not only is it made from clay, but the chiminea will also be an attractive addition to your patio!
Do you keep the top on a chiminea?
While chimineas are often used for cooking, it is strongly recommended to never keep one on top while lit. While it may be tempting to use a chiminea for baking bread or pizza, they can explode or catch fire which can be dangerous. Instead, you might want to use it with a propane or gas-powered stove for cooking.
Conclusion
Ground fires are not only troublesome but even dangerous. You will need to ensure that you have a safe distance from your home before you start burning and you will also need to have a place to put your fire pit to avoid any close-proximity from firewood as well.
These are just some of the reasons why people are now opting for chimineas.
Chimineas are outdoor fire pits that increase the design of your backyard and also increase your safety for a safer environment for you and your loved ones.
However, when choosing which chimineas to buy, it can be confusing which one to choose because there are a lot of options out there.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| BALI OUTDOORS Outdoor Fireplace Wooden Fire Pit | Best Overall | |
| The Blue Rooster CAST Aluminum Grape Style Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal. | Budget Pick | |