What to look for in a Chiminea

Derived from the Spanish word for fireplace, a chiminea is just that - an outdoor fireplace. The only difference is chimineas are portable fireplaces that are intended for outdoor use only. How Does An Outdoor Chiminea Work? It is really quite simple. A cast aluminum chiminea is designed with a single opening where the fire is located. The stack or chimney draws the air into the fire and pushes the smoke out the top. Choosing A Patio Chiminea

There are more things to consider than just appearances when choosing a copper chiminea. While you want an attractive copper chiminea, it is also important to find one that is durable, efficient and safe.

Durability

Outdoor chimineas are made of a number of materials including clay chimineas, cast iron chimineas and cast aluminum chimineas, but some of these are better than others. While a clay chiminea might be incredibly attractive they tend not to be very durable. Furthermore, a clay chiminea requires a lot of constant care. You might consider buying a cast aluminum or a cast iron chiminea. With some minor maintenance, these outdoor chimineas will last much longer.

Efficiency

One way to find an outdoor chiminea that works well is to look at the size of the fire area. Not only is a outdoor chiminea with a small firebox not as efficient, but you also will discover that it is more difficult to work with and requires smaller wood.

Safety Tips

The lack of durability or safety features may cause unnecessary accidents. Regardless of what type of outdoor chiminea you purchase always put safety first. Here are a couple of reminders.

• Always have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water on hand when the outdoor chiminea is in use.
• Consider what additional features might help ensure your family's safety. Something as simple as buying a better-fitting mouth screen may drastically improve the safety of the outdoor chiminea.
• Make sure the adult operating the chiminea understands how it works and how to properly operate it.