Cast Iron Chimineas, A Comprehensive Guide to Outdoor Fireplaces

Set the scene: the chill of a crisp fall night bid you to call in your loved ones to warm themselves through stories and laughter. A fire pit gleams in a sensuous ring of light, welcoming them from the coolness of the night. A tantalizing aroma of wood smoke wafts through the air. A cast iron chiminea burns gently; it keeps anyone sprawled around the flames warm, comfortable, and adds an inviting pre-modern touch to a backyard or patio.

Cast iron chimineas have been used in homes for hundreds of years, long before paved paths to royal recreation grounds got built or the concept of backyards aimed at relaxation was conceived. These sturdy, attractive fire pits are exceedingly practical, perfect for a chilly starlit night, for hospitality with friends and family, or just to appreciate the mesmerising crackle of flames. This guide will help you navigate your world of cast iron chimineas and find the one you need.

What is a Cast Iron Chiminea?

A freestanding, funnel-shaped fireplace that was developed in Mexico, the chiminea is typically constructed from clay but can also be cast iron these days, which makes for a long-lasting, heat-retentive material. The chiminea is open at the top, which has a narrow aperture that creates an upward draft like a chimney – causing the smoke to travel upward and away from the user. At the bottom, the chiminea is much broader, which helps create a wide base for stability and helps the fire throw out radiant heat. It’s this design that allows the chiminea to create a controlled fire that is safe and simple to operate.

Why Choose a Cast Iron Chiminea?

Here are several advantages of cast iron chimneas for fire pits over other types of fire pits:

• Durability: Made to last a lifetime with a minimum of maintenance and care; cast iron is a treasure that far outlasts the clay chimenea, which often cracks or breaks in service. The weight of the burning firewood doesn’t damage a well-made cast-iron chiminea, nor does the rise and fall of the temperature of the fire. Nor does the rain, nor the sun.
• Heat Retention: The cast iron chiminea is good at holding heat, so the heat will be retained even when the flame has died down. You will keep the warmth offered by the fire till nearly the end. Cast iron is a good insulator so it keeps the warmth and spreads the heat evenly – this works perfectly for those cold evenings.
• Versatility: Cast iron chimineas can be used to cook, roast marshmallows and simply heat the outdoors with watchful glee. Some chiminea models come with built-in grills that allow food to be cooked directly over the fire. Barbecuing burgers, hot dogs, vegetables and making s’mores: a cast iron chiminea with a grill turns the backyard into a culinary adventure.
• Aesthetic Allure: Cast iron chimineas are a design classic. They’re beautifully uncomplicated, natural and decadent-looking, oozing rustic charm and intrinsic appeal. Not only will a cast iron chiminea in either a Portuguese, Spanish or Mexican style add decorative flair, it will flatter and complete an array of different garden styles – from the modern and contemporary to the traditional and country.
• Safety: Even a small chiminea’s open fire means there’s more control to avoid sparks or embers flying out, with the smoke going up the narrow chimney, keeping smoke and ash restricted to that area. Pin it to the ground with a wide base so it can’t tip over, and allow yourself and anyone else sharing the fire to enjoy their time together.

Popular Cast Iron Chiminea Brands

Several reputable brands offer high-quality cast iron chimineas. Here are a few notable names:

• Toledo Chiminea: Toledos offer fine elegance with louvered details and decorations and are the highest quality and most expensive of all. They also can be the most ornate, with curly cues and other Victorian-looking adornments. Toledos have a sophisticated air about them.
• Charmate Chiminea: is where my parents found the dratted thing and stands as a model of e-commerce efficiency and marketing to an impressionable family googling ‘garden art’.
• Gardeco: is a one-stop, purveyor of everything from Buddhas to Bella-Pittas, but less willing to offer a helpful applicator tip. And Gardeco is a (wisely) demoted euphemism for a more private grill. This post originally appeared on my old blog, The Plenty of Nothing, in September 2015. It has been lightly edited.
• Blue Rooster: Great for their quirky designs and fun colours. Blue Rooster chimineas have a vibrant personality with unique shapes and rich colours that will add a sense of whimsy to any outdoor space. Sturdily crafted, they are well made. Blue Rooster chimineas are ideal for those seeking a chiminea that complements their unique style with vibrant colours to add to their outdoor space.

Where to Buy Cast Iron Chimineas

Cast iron chimineas are available for purchase from any of the following retailers: Online & In-Store Retailers.

• Online Retailers : online retailers like Amazon, eBay and Wayfair sell large numbers of cast iron chimineas of different brands for specific prices. You can shop according to your needs in terms of style, size and price. The best thing about purchasing a cast iron chiminea online is that you shop for it from home, saving yourself from so much discomfort and stress you’ll face in your local stores, where it could take days to find what you’re looking for. You can view different prices, descriptions and reviews so that you can make an informed decision on the perfect model for your space.
• Home Improvement Stores: DIY/Home Improvement stores such as B&Q, B&M and The Range are a great place to buy a chiminea and can often be heavily discounted. Some stores even stock a small range, and are great for buying a chiminea when you are shopping for other home improvement needs. You can sometimes find chimineas from B&Q, B&M and The Range, making them a good choice for buying your chiminea along with other things you need for your home.
• Speciality Outdoor Stores: Local garden centres and outdoor furniture stores can be a substitute for the speciality stores mentioned above. Since these stores are specialised outdoor structures that stock similar products, there is a good chance that they would stock chimeneas. Besides stocking chimineas, these stores will also specialise in bags and earth and other outdoor products that complement a chiminea. They are a solid substitute for the speciality stores.
• Local markets and craft fairs: Speciality chimineas might also could be found in local markets and craft fairs. In these locations, you’ll often find one-of-a-kind chimineas handcrafted by local artisans. Local markets and craft fairs are a great way to find speciality chimineas and unique, handcrafted items while supporting your community.

Cast Iron Chiminea Maintenance

Keep your cast iron chiminea in tip-top shape through the years by following these maintenance tips:

• Clean Often: Always clean the firebox and base of your chiminea after each use, removing all ash and debris, to maintain efficiency and make cleaning easier afterwards. Use a brush and shovel to remove ash from the firebox and base, and then a damp cloth to wipe down the outside of your chiminea.
• Season The Cast Iron: Once you are done cleaning the chiminea, it is quite important to cover the entire cast iron surface with a thin layer of oil, as it prevents rusting. This process is called seasoning the chiminea and to do this you can use a vegetable oil, flaxseed oil or a cast iron seasoning oil. Seasoning your chiminea on a regular basis will also ensure that it doesn’t rust.
• Prevent the Flue from Clotting Up You can get a chiminea for decorative purposes or for intense heat, but, whatever yours is, you must protect it from the rain and snow. A wet chiminea will rust, and rust is not your friend. Get a secure weatherproof cover for your chiminea to guarantee that it’ll last through the long run. If you don’t have a cover to get a secure weatherproof cover, stow it away somewhere dry during winter. This should prevent your chiminea from damage associated with rain, snow and excessive temperature conditions.
• Check for cracks: Check your chiminea regularly for cracks or damage. If you observe any cracks in it, repair them or replace the chiminea. Cracks in chimineas can make it unsafe to use them as it weakens the structure; a regular check will ensure the safety and longevity of your chiminea, and help you identify potential problems and take immediate action. ​
• Avoid harsh chemicals​ (anti-oxidant)​: Harsh chemicals are unhealthy to use on your chiminea and can ruin the cast iron. Instead, use soap and water, or a cast iron cleaner. Using harsh chemicals can dangerously harm your chiminea by compromising the finish and integrity of the cast iron. You can conserve and maintain the beauty and integrity of your cast iron chiminea by using gentle cleaning methods.

Enjoy the Warmth and Ambiance of a Cast Iron Chiminea

It is almost impossible to overstate the greatness of presence of a cast iron chiminea in any space where your peers and loved ones meet in the outside. Cast iron chiminea enhances these social gatherings by providing that enigmatic ambience of aromatic evening bonfires, sandwiched between stars and surrounded by friends. When chosen wisely and taken care of properly, it will stand by you for more than one exotic summer night and bring hundreds of hours of heat, leisure and remembrance into your outdoor haven.