March 16, 2012. Samuel Valero
While the clay Chiminea is the most widely seen, you can also find metal chimineas made of steel or wrought iron. A chiminea is a small stove-like fire pit which is used to burn wood outdoors.
Wood is stacked into the main chamber and lit, creating a source of visual delight and warmth in the backyard.
Metal chimineas have several advantages over their clay-based counterparts. Firstly, their metal frames are not nearly as susceptible to cracking and chipping. Clay is actually quite delicate and can chip which impacted or during a quick temperature change. The wrought iron or steel used in the construction of metal chimineas can be quite beautiful and painted in several different colors. Another advantage to owning steel or wrought iron patio furniture is that most come with a grated front door covering the main chamber. This door serves to protect people from embers which could fly out the opening. A downside to using metal chimineas is that they can get incredibly hot on all parts of the structure, requiring gloves to open and close the door.
Clay chimineas are popular because they are very natural looking. Some clay chimineas have legs made out of clay, while others sit on a metal stand. Users must take care when transporting the chiminea, as it could easily break if dropped. This degree of Southwestern design simply can’t be achieved using metal.
Chimineas need to be placed on a flat spot where they will not tip over. Children should not be allowed to be near the chiminea without supervision. As with all sources of extreme heat, flammable materials should not be anywhere near the chiminea. This includes cans of charcoal lighter fluid, piles of wood and trees overhead. Many users opt to place a plastic protective cover over their chiminea in an attempt to keep it in good shape.
Updated March 16, 2012. Published June 16, 2011. Samuel Valero
