A chiminea terracotta (Cheapbookmarking.com) Adds Warmth and Ambiance to Your Backyard Patio
Chimineas bring warmth and ambience to your backyard. Its chimney draws smoke upwards to prevent sparks and flames from destroying the surrounding plants and burning your home or deck.
Chimineas made of clay should be broken down slowly. The first few flames should be slow and light. Sealing your chiminea, especially in humid climate, is recommended.
Material
Chiminesas can add the warmth and character of any backyard patio. The classic pot-belly style is ideal for entertaining, but innovative designs now suit a wide range of styles of decor. While clay is the most commonly used material, chimineas can also be available in cast iron and aluminum. Each kind of material has its own benefits. While clay is easy to maintain but metal is more durable and able to withstand high temperatures.
When choosing a chiminea, think about its size, shape and the type of fuel. Its size should be able to accommodate the amount of wood you'll use to ensure it's burning at a constant level. The larger chimneys are suitable for large gatherings whereas the smaller ones work better in intimate spaces. A chimney focuses smoke upwards, protecting the area from rain and preventing it from blowing around in strong winds.
The design of the chiminea makes it unique from other outdoor firepits. The bowl-shaped base protects the flames from rain, wind, and debris. The chimney is decorative and lets you regulate the size of the flames.
Chimineas of clay are formed and molded by hand then glazed at high temperatures. They're usually coated with ceramic glazes to create a beautiful and durable object to weather damage. Some are decorated with Mexican-inspired designs. These chimineas can be purchased in the garden stores and home improvement centers.
Before lighting a chiminea, you should cover the inside of its base with sand or gravel that is coarse-grained. Sand helps to reduce smoke and keeps the clay from cracking during firing. Once you've covered the base, place some small pieces of kindling in the center. Include a natural light source like this one from Amazon, to facilitate lighting.
When you're ready to cook Use a long-handled fork or spatula to turn the hot embers. You should not cook food in direct flames since it could cause burning and cause the food to blacken beyond recognition. Instead, begin with a smoking embers, and gradually build up an extensive fire. Then, you can move the pan up to the top.
Design
A chiminea is an open-air stove, with a wide base and an extended thin chimney for the smoke. The chimney also shields the fire from rain and wind and can also extinguish a more open fire pit. Since more than 400 years, Chimineas are used for gatherings and cooking as well as heating homes. The clay used to make them was originally a hand-made product, but they're now available in cast iron or terracotta with modern and traditional styles.
While modern chimineas often eschew the curvatures of traditional models, they still retain the distinctive chimney design. They are available in various sizes and shapes, ranging from 12 to 16 inches in diameter at the base and 25 to 30 inches high (including stand). The chimney is typically 6 feet tall.
The size of the chiminea's height can be important, as it can direct smoke upwards and prevent it from bouncing off objects or people in your yard. It also lets you make use of aromatic woods that smell great as they burn, which adds to the pleasure of sitting around a fireplace.
When choosing a chiminea to purchase make sure you choose one constructed of a durable material that can withstand high temperatures. Do not purchase a chiminea with decorative elements or other features that can crack or break under heat. If you opt for the terracotta or clay chiminea, it should be seasoned by burning small amounts of wood for three to four fires until the clay has a chance to cure. The chiminea should be covered by a lid when not in use to prevent water from spilling onto the flames and igniting it.
Cast iron chimineas are more heavy and more durable than clay models, so they can withstand higher temperatures and rougher handling. They are also more versatile because they can burn briquettes, coal, or briquettes in addition to wood. If you want an elegant design, go with a clay chiminea.
Whatever material you pick, be sure to put your chiminea away from your house and any outdoor furniture. The chiminea must also be located at least 10 feet away from any other structure like a fence or shed. Create a patio hearth using pavers to create an area to put your chiminea, making it easier to control the flame.
Installation
Chimineas add a completely new dimension to any outdoor space and can be the focal point for gatherings with the family. But like any fireplace or fire pit it is crucial to understand the maintenance requirements before you purchase one. Traditional clay chimineas tend to be more fragile than chimineas made of cast iron, although both can be able to withstand the elements, however the differences in design and materials require a different approach to maintenance.
Make the base of the chiminea before. The bottom of the largest chiminea needs to be covered with sand or gravel in order to stop it from coming in direct contact with fire. This will reduce smoke and keep the chiminea from breaking.
It is also crucial to ensure that the chiminea is set up on the ground in a stable and secure location. Avoid placing it on decks or any other surfaces that are flammable. If it must be placed on a surface that is flammable use an iron grate to raise the wood and protect the chiminea from heat from the flame and sparks.
Before lighting the chiminea for the first time, it should be seasoned by burning several small fires. This will stop the chiminea from cracking if you burn many pieces of wood.
After each fire Clean the chiminea thoroughly by rubbing it with a wire-bristle brush or cloth. You should take away any creosote or ash from the inside of the chiminea, too. If these chemicals are not removed, they will impact the quality of any subsequent fires that you put within it.
The chiminea should be sealed by a cover that protects it when it is not in use. This will prevent the clay from becoming wet and shrinking or cracking. Chimineas can suffer this type of damage when kept exposed to constant rain and snow.
The best chiminea way to protect the chiminea is to keep it covered, even during summer. It is also recommended to have a backup source of fuel for the fire, like a propane chiminea tank or wood. It is also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in the vicinity to get rid of any sudden fires.
Maintenance
To ensure that chimineas last as long as they can, they require regular maintenance. This involves cleaning the structure, applying protective coatings and properly storing it in winter to avoid extreme temperatures. These measures and basic guidelines for usage can prolong the life of your Chiminea, and also reduce the risk of injury.
Chimineas are made from clay and as such can crack when exposed to abrupt temperature changes. This is the reason it's essential to store your terra-cotta in a safe and dry area during the off-season preferring the cover to guard against frost and rain. It is also recommended to apply the sealant on your clay fireplace to protect it from the effects of moisture and temperature changes.
When cleaning a chiminea, it's important to use non-abrasive products and a soft cloth or brush to avoid damaging the clay surface. After you've scrubbed the surface rinse it with an hose or bucket. Allow the chiminea time to completely dry before reusing it. This will stop mildew and mold growth and will keep the chiminea looking brand new.
If your chiminea is cracked or damaged section, it is essential to secure the broken pieces together and then apply outdoor oven cement to the crack. It can be bought at the majority of hardware stores. It is applied with a spatula, or pointing trowel. You must allow the cement to dry completely before lighting a test flame in the chiminea.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/12701/3575/deckmate-sonora-outdoor-chimenea-fireplace-model-30199-3575.jpg)After the cement has dried, put medium-coarse sandpaper over the damaged area to prepare it for painting. Then, you can paint it using more or less any kind of emulsion paint for masonry or household use in a shade that matches the rest of your chiminea. If there is any corrosion or rust you can eliminate it by sanding, and then washing the affected areas with water.
