Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Chiminea

Originating from Mexico, these bulbous chimney-like structures are used as outdoor fire pits. A chiminea is an ideal solution for places with open patios, making the chilly breeze bearable. Chimineas come in a multitude of sizes and weights and are made of various materials. Therefore, there are a lot of things to look into before selecting the best chiminea that would suit your purposes. Here is a look at all important things that need your attention before making the big purchase.

Size

It is common sense that the larger the size, the larger the area it would heat up. If you have a small deck, you need a small chiminea. For a larger area, ideally, two chimineas are best for complete coverage. But we are not done here yet. There is one other thing to keep in mind when choosing a small chiminea. You have to ensure that the chiminea's opening mouth is not too cramped. Small chimineas often come with this drawback. As most firewood does not come in small sizes, you might end up cutting your own wood, adding to the inconvenience.

Material

Chimineas are basically of 3 types. These are clay chimineas, cast iron chimineas, and steel chimineas. All sorts of chimineas come in varying size, weight, and heat output. The higher the price, the higher the heat output, size, and weight. A clay chiminea comes ready to use, so it is basically for all of you who don't want to deal with the annoyance of assembling it. On the other hand, cast iron and steel chiminea come in cartons with instruction leaflets for assembling them.

Product Longevity

If you are looking for a product that lasts long and makes for the best outdoor fireplaces, a cast iron chiminea is for you. Essentially, any product that is properly maintained and treated well will have a long lifespan, but it is important for you to know that a cast iron chiminea will not rust or stain the place it is kept at. It also needs little maintenance and is portable to add the cherry on top.

Maintenance

All types of chimineas need little maintenance. They require the occasional repaint if the surface paint cracks or is damaged due to the heat and regular removal of ash. Moreover, as mentioned above, a cast iron chiminea needs the least maintenance.

Weight

Needless to mention, the weight of your chiminea depends largely on the size and material it is made of. Choose the material wisely if you want to be able to move the chiminea around a couple of times. It should be crystal clear in your mind that due to the awkward shape of a chiminea, lifting it is not that easy. Cast iron chimineas of medium size weigh around 35 kilograms, while larger models go up to 50 kilos. If you want to be able to lift your chiminea, you can select a steel chiminea that weighs about 15 kilograms.