Best 10 Chimineas
As Of July 2022
We did the
Best Chiminea Overall
- A statement centrepiece for your patio standing at 140cm tall
- Enjoy it for years thanks to its coated metal firebowl
- Get the real wood-burning chiminea experience and poke the fire with the metal tool
- Winds stand no chance as it's super-solid & stable
Best Weatherproof Choice
- Let smoke blow away due to its large tower
- Suitable for the unpredictable British weather with its weatherproof cover
- No rust building thanks to the powder coating finish
- Suitable to place safely on your deck, patio or garden
Ideal for Bronze Finish
- Portable enough to move it without straining your back
- Prevent rusting with the included protective rain lid
- Keep the door securely locked with the metal safety tool
- Leave it outside rain or shine due to its durable steel construction
Top Pick for Flue Pipe Design
- Add a stylistic touch to your garden with its elegant tall design
- Lift it & move it around hassle-free as it only weighs 6.1kg
- Set it up it in under 5 minutes thanks to its simple assembly
- Place it worry-free on your lawn or patio with a slab as it has fire-safe materials
Top Vintage Pick
- Host your next BBQ with friends as it comes with a cooking grill
- Put it at any tight nook thanks to its compact round shape
- No need to store it in the shed to protect it from the rain with the included lid
- Open its door securely with the convenient poker
Top Rustic Choice
- Keep the heat off the ground by putting your chiminea on the steel stand
- Use the protective rain lid to avoid cracks on the clay
- The talking point of your patio with its beautiful clay design
- No assembly needed on your end; use it immediately!
Ideal for Small Spaces
- Relax feeling warm due to its temperature-resistant paint finish
- Fix the fire’s logs from a distance with the handy grate tool
- Carry it around your backyard comfortably as it’s super light
- Built to withstand wear & tear with its robust cast iron & steel parts
Top Contemporary Pick
- Keep your guests warm outdoors with its large area heat coverage
- Save money as it’s versatile to burn logs, coal & timber
- Move it without breaking a sweat as it’s lightweight & portable
- Give your patio an eye-catching new decor piece with its elegant design
Best Clay Choice
- Cook some sausages & burgers effortlessly with the barbecue grill
- Keep it off the ground & protect your patio thanks to the steel stand
- Ensure no water soaks the interior by putting the rain lid on
- Feel the warmth & prolong your night out with its high-quality heat output
Ideal for Lightweight
- Save your back with easy lifts to place wherever you want, only weighs 1kg
- Burn strong fires with the log grate that comes as a gift
- Beat the wind with the sturdy and resistant double steel build
- Enjoy maximum heat output as it’s a wood burner
Chimineas: Warmer Patio, More Fun All Year Round
Do you like hanging out with your friends on the patio when they come over? Does the fun get ruined when the weather is bad? Or when you’re too lazy to start kindling a fire pit? Sometimes, you make plans to have company over for a BBQ, and although you have a backyard, you can’t enjoy it. Why? Because it’s too chilly outside.
Thankfully, chimineas bring back the fun (and warmth!) to all your dinners and backyard hangouts. Think of them as an outdoor fireplace. They’re larger than a pit and bring warmth to your open-air space. They don’t serve as decorative pieces only. They also have a practical use for cooking!
Their influences are originated from Spain. Next time you want to roast some marshmallows on the patio, just put them in the chiminea! You won’t have to clean up a big mess after. Just put out the fire and close the mesh door. If you want to make your patio stand out all year-around, read our buying guide below!
How Do Chimineas Work?
Chimineas or chimeneas (you might see it spelt both ways) are like a great high-temperature fireplace. They are high-quality heaters in the same way as a fireplace burning wood. You can light a fire and enjoy the warmth that comes out.
Chimineas have, you guessed it, a chimney! Just like any other fireplace, they let the smoke out from their chimney. Some of them are large enough to let you cook inside them. Cooking with your chiminea can be an effortless way to improve your barbecue skills. You can use it instead of a grill to take your roasting to the next level!
Why Should You Buy A Chiminea?
There are many benefits to owning a chiminea. If you’re still on the fence, read below to see some of the benefits they bring to your space.
- They are like a pit or a wood-burning stove and patio heater. What’s excellent about chimineas is that they can produce high level temperatures in a relatively small size to warm up your open-air space. As a result, your patio is nice and comfortable, even on chilly evenings.
- You can use them for cooking too. So, you can save up on buying a separate grill instead. Besides, that was the reason they were invented. In fact, in Mexico, they use traditional chimineas for cooking.
- They create a lovely ambience to match your patio. The aesthetic is equally as pretty as a fire pit.
You can find many options to fit the rest of your open-air space. It does not need to be built-in like a fireplace, and you can use it for sitting outside all year-around!
Buying a chiminea is probably something new to you, but you want to make the right choice like a pro! That’s why we are here to help you with our detailed buying guide. We want to give you the answers to all the questions you might have. If you’ve never owned such a product before, there are some things you should review to pick the top chiminea.
It’s up to you if you use it for heating purposes, for grilling, or just have it as a decoration. Take a look below and get all the information you need to buy as experts do!
1. Material
The material should be one of the first things to consider. The type of material isn’t only important for aesthetics. It’s also essential for durability and quality purposes. Chimineas can be steel, clay, cast iron and copper. Steel, for example, is more durable than clay.
You should know that some materials are more easily flammable while others are flame-retardant. Picking the right material type will also be an essential item if you want the chiminea to match the rest of your furniture or outdoor space’s look. There’s a more in-depth section below in our guide explaining the differences between materials, where you can learn more.
2. Dimensions
Checking the dimensions of different kinds of chimineas can help you get a better idea of what’s available on the market. Chimineas come in all shapes and sizes. If you have limited space to place it, you should look at the product’s height and width. If you want something lightweight, checking the weight information is also important.
Dimensions will come in handy if you need to move your chiminea to protect it from bad weather conditions too. Your back will thank you later!
3. Design
Chimineas have many colourful, bright and even minimal designs. Your patio arrangement will help you decide which type of design works best for your space. After all, it’s all about the cosy vibes and cool aesthetics you create to enjoy it with your friends and family.
Minimalist designs have a modern feel to them. Homes that have a similar aesthetic feeling and use monochromatic palettes will enjoy cast iron and steel designs. A modern look will elevate your chiminea as a centrepiece on your patio. They look great with minimal furniture and have a very modern look.
Clay and terracotta style has a more traditional feel and design. What’s nice about it is that it’s a timeless design. A clay design can look excellent in a boho outdoor space. But it can add a little bit of spice in a more conservative design.
Whatever the case is, pick a design that matches your style and your open-air space. Don’t just pick a standard clay design; elevate the look with a patterned clay design. The options are endless!
4. Fuel
In case you didn’t know, chimineas burn different types of fuel. Some of them burn wood. Others burn coal or charcoal. Heck, some even burn on gas. Generally, wood is the most common type of fuel for them.
So, before you buy a brand new one, you should learn more about the different fuel types they burn. For example, if you buy a wood-burning one, you should know that it’s best to use dry wood as it smokes less. Adding tinker with the wood will make the fire bigger. Clay ones usually use wood as their fuel, but they can take other types of fuel too.
If you plan on using your chiminea for cooking, charcoal is the best type of fuel for the job. Coal is the second-best alternative. Iron chimineas are perfect for cooking with charcoal since they are flame-retardant and an excellent option for grills.
When you pick the type of fuel to burn, you might not know that it’s illegal to burn wood in some neighbourhoods. In those cases, you might have to opt for another type of fuel. Check with the laws and regulations in your area.
5. Safety
Are chimineas safe to use? Absolutely! But dealing with fire can be tricky, so you have to be extra careful! When reviewing the options, opt for one that’s easy to use. Chimineas contain the flame within their door, making them safer to use than an open pit. To keep it safe, make sure to clean it to avoid smoking. Smoking happens when you burn wet wood instead of dry. But, if you’re appropriately cleaning it, you don’t have to worry.
Another thing to keep in mind for safe use is how flame-retardant your chiminea is. Metal, for example, is more likely to reach extreme temperatures. Make sure to keep it away from the house or other objects to avoid accidents. Some items are flammable, and keeping your chiminea close to them can be dangerous for the rest of the house. Also, make sure your children don’t get too close because they could injure themselves.
6. Portability
Chimineas are generally rather heavy to lift. Those made of cast iron or steel don’t come pre-built, and you need to assemble them. Clay ones usually come in one piece.
You might wonder, why would you want to lift a chiminea? For one, if you’re going to move it indoors for the wintertime to store it! It’s best to keep clay ones indoors because they can crack if you leave them outside in the winter.
Cast iron or steel ones are harder to lift, so less portable. Metal chimineas aren’t water-resistant, and they can rot if left outside. So, you might not have thought about portability, but you should.
What Type of Chimineas Are Available?
Chimineas come in all kinds of materials, which lets you play around and find the ideal choice for your patio. Each different type has its pros and cons. It’s a matter of personal preference which material you will pick.
- Clay
Clay chimineas are the originals in this category, and they remind us of traditional Mexican terracotta ones. They are more likely to break than other types, so take extra good care. And if you’re someone who drops things often, maybe go for another material. Or, at least use some resistant paint every couple of months to strengthen your clay chiminea. Resistant paint coats the chiminea and protects it from wear and tear.
- Cast Iron
These chimineas are a durable and robust option. They are less likely to break like clay ones and can handle extreme heat. These can be used for grilling and cooking too.
The one thing to keep in mind about iron chimineas is that they rust easily. But don’t worry! All you have to do is buy a heavy-duty rain cover. A rain cover can protect it from rain and rust. They are good patio heaters that keep your outdoors in extreme heat for hours on end on those cool summer evenings.
- Stainless Steel
These chimineas are good, lighter weighted options than cast iron ones. They are equally as good for cooking and BBQ grills. They have a modern and minimalist design, making them the perfect choice for a minimal home. Metal chimineas are also very modern and stylish, with a dark, edgy look.
Where Should You Place A Chiminea?
You can use a chiminea in your space so you can put it on your patio or backyard. In any case, make sure you put it in the opposite direction of the wind. That way, it’s safer to contain a fire. You don’t want the wind facing your chiminea because the fire could expand faster.
Chimineas should be placed on top of a heat resistant surface to avoid accidents. Wood surfaces or grass in your backyard are at a higher risk of catching flames. Add fire safe options like concrete or stone underneath. That way, if the fire crackles from your chiminea and it lands on the ground, you won’t be at risk.
How Do I Light A Chiminea?
Lighting a chiminea should be straightforward, but always be careful and use heat resistant gloves to protect your hands. For starters, make sure you have placed it at the correct spot and that it’s away from hazards. If you’re not too sure how to start a fire, you should read the instructions that come with it. To light it, you just have to follow the same steps as a fireplace. Use some paper and some light to set up your firepit, and when the fire starts growing, add some more fuel.
If you’re using a clay model, wood-burning will give you high temperatures. Just remember to use dry wood instead of wet. If you’re using a cast iron or steel design, charcoal is the right fuel type to add to the kindling. After that, all you have to do is fuel it. The fuel will burn until you no longer add any more.
When you want to clean your chiminea, let it cool down completely before putting your hands close to the door to avoid injuries. When it's completely cooled down it is safer and gives you rest in mind when you want to clean the interior.
Is It Safe To Use A Chiminea?
Totally! They are much safer than a fire pit or a large bonfire in your open-air space. Fire pits and bonfires are more exposed than chiminea, and fire can expand quicker. They, however, are safer because they have a mesh door that contains the fuel inside.
The only risk that it could have is a possible fire expansion if left unattended, but you can prevent that by taking extra caution and being careful. Generally, though, they are very safe, and it’s rare to see that happening. Some safety tips can help you make them even safer.
- Put your it in a safe location, away from easily flammable surrounding objects
- Set it up so that it’s stable and standing on safe ground textures
- Use the correct fuel depending on the type of chiminea
- Avoid chemicals that can be a hazard
- If your chiminea doesn’t come with one, buy a spark guard. It fits in the chimney and protects sparks from flying out
- Light small fires that are better managed
- Avoid sitting close to it because it emits extreme heat
- Clean it when it’s completely cold to avoid buildup
- Always, keep children away from it
- Use sand instead of water if you want to put out a fire safely
How Much Do They Cost?
Chimineas range in cost because their material can be different. There are some inexpensive metal or cast iron options that can be lower than £100. Most, though, cost above £100 and can reach upwards of £300. Stainless steel is usually more expensive and versatile in design. Be prepared to spend more on steel ones because they are heavy duty and more durable. Clay models are a great value option in the low one hundreds and come in many different colours and designs. These traditional Mexican designs are unique in colours and can brighten your open-air space without breaking your bank.
Final Thoughts
Summer evenings are coming, and you don’t need to worry about your next barbecue. Next time you have your friends over, no breeze will stand in the way of the fun! Level up your grill session with the top chiminea and make it the highlight of your open-air space! Gather around the fire with your loved ones for a warm and cosy atmosphere.
No need to grab a blanket! Just add some fuel and relax beside your chiminea all year round! Take some time to review our buying guide, do your research and pick the top chiminea for you.
