Chimineas
A chiminea is perhaps the original outdoor fireplace. Traditional versions are manufactured from clay, like a pot, and can be very
fragile; newer types are made from metal or iron. Chimneas often come in two components: the base or bowl where the fire goes and
the neck or chimney. Because they have a small chimney, smoke is directed upward and out of your face. Once a staple of quirky
roadside pottery shops, chimineas can now be found at garden shops, home-improvement warehouses, or online at Web sites such as
www.outdoorfireplaces.com. Basic chiminea models begin at around $130.
Before burning your first fire, insulate the bowl with 3 to 4 inches of sand or fine gravel. For clay chimineas, burn small fires the
first five times you use it to keep it from cracking. If you live in a colder climate, store it in a garage or other protected place
for the winter. Metal or iron chimineas can be left outside year-round, but one warning if you?re opting for this style: Don?t purchase
a circular metal version with mesh sides and a solid top and bottom. Although the smoke escapes from the sides, the solid top and mesh
sides get extremely hot.
Outdoor Fireplace Tips
Chase away the chill in the coming months with the addition of a fire pit, chiminea, or fireplace to your backyard. These options allow you to spend more time outdoors with your family as cooler weather arrives. But remember to be safe so you can enjoy them fully.
- Place a portable fire pit away from the house, tree branches, fences, or anything else that might be flammable.
- Never use a portable fire pit or chiminea on a wooden or covered deck.
- Just like indoors, never burn chemically treated wood.
- Metal fire pits and clay chimineas can produce a lot of heat, so don?t try to move them for at least a day after the fire is out.
- Never use gasoline or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Use kindling, newspaper, and dry logs instead.
- Don?t leave any type of fire unattended.
"Outdoor Fireplaces" is from the October 2004 issue of Southern Living.
