There are different types of chimineas available for you to make an ideal selection. Chimineas, also known as fireplaces should be chosen wisely since the safety of the entire family, neighborhood, and your property depends on it. A chiminea will protect your eyes from smoke making it a valuable addition to your property especially if you use charcoal and wood to keep warm and barbecue.
What to look for buying a chiminea depends on your budget, its purpose, and your neighborhood. The primary designs of outdoor fireplaces are fire pits and chimineas. The chiminea has a single mouth opening and a chimney that fuels your fire with fresh air efficiently. The ideal chiminea provides a drafting action whereby fresh air is drawn into the fire while the smoke is simultaneously directed upwards away from you and your visitors.
Through this drafting action, your fire always burns hotter and cleaner while leaving behind a small amount of ash. Additionally, a chiminea encloses your fire efficiently protecting your property and people seated around it. Always choose a chiminea that is easy to light, efficient, clean, and long lasting. Here is what to look for buying a chiminea.
Durability
Fireplaces are made using different materials. Thus, their longevity also varies depending on the strength and quality of the material used. Whenever you wish to purchase a chiminea, cast aluminum has been proven to be the ideal choice in terms of durability. Moreover, its maintenance costs are low since it does not warp, rust, or crack. It requires high temp spray paint only to keep it looking new for a long time. It is also lighter than cast iron making it easily portable whenever required.
In the case of cast iron, it rusts and stains the surface easily. Moreover, it stains its placement surface giving you extra work to do in determining the ideal place to put it on your property. Its maintenance cost is significantly high since it requires frequent painting using high-temperature stove paint to avert cases of rusting. Its weight is also disadvantageous since it makes it immobile; hence you will require a significant amount of effort to move it from one place to the next.
Clay chimineas need more care. They need to be kept warm and dry always and when inserting firewood you should do it slowly. Thus, they are not an ideal choice regarding durability. Sheet metal outdoor fireplaces are disposable since they warp or melt whenever the enamel finishes disappear. Nonetheless, they are significantly cheaper hence ideal for short term use.
Copper fireplaces lose their magnificent appearance after a short time. Also, they have high maintenance costs though they are durable. You will need to repair and replace some screws, bolts, rivets, and nuts to ensure that your copper chiminea remains functional for the long term. Sheet aluminum is a great material though you are advised to check the assembly parts keenly before buying it. Some of its parts are not replaceable and can lose its protective finish resulting in quick oxidation.
Size and Weight
Weight and size must be considered whenever you are determining what to look for buying a chiminea. You should also be keen when searching for the ideal weight and size to make informed decisions. Some of the “mixed” models are made up of part sheet metal and part cast iron though some use cast aluminum instead of iron. Thus, you should also ensure that the chiminea you use has durable material.
Choosing a fireplace made using durable material will help you avoid cases where the sheet metal neck wears off leaving your cast iron model without a neck. Size is also an essential consideration when purchasing your chiminea. A small model means that you will require wood that is cut into smaller pieces. You will have to make special orders from your wood supplier that will cost you significantly more.
Therefore, though weight and size are of great significance, you can save money in the long term by going for the chimineas of standard size. It does not mean that since the model is bigger, the fire must also be equally big. You can use lesser wood to make an efficient smaller fire saving you the additional costs that may have been realized in using a smaller model.
Safety
Safety is paramount when determining what to look for buying a chiminea. The type of material used in making the fireplace plays an integral role in determining its level of safety. Though some manufacturers state that metal models tend to become hotter than their clay counterparts, studies have shown that all chimineas become significantly hot when in use. You should not touch the fireplace when in use regardless of the material used to make it since you increase your risks of getting burned.
Clay is not ideal for use on a wood deck or other surface that can get damaged quickly. Clay falls apart without warning and can create a large mess that may result in serious injuries and loss of property. Thus, your clay chiminea should be placed on cement or other types of protective base. Therefore, with the many risks involved in using the clay models, you should avoid purchasing them unless you do not have any other choice to make.
Hardwoods are the ideal materials that you can burn in your chiminea. If you need some aromatic experience while using your item, you can add some exotics into the fire like apple wood, and pine cones. Nonetheless, you should always ensure that your chiminea does not threaten the safety of your property, family, and neighbors.
An outdoor fireplace is always meant to enhance your life. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a thorough background check on all the models available to ascertain the best that will suit your lifestyle. Efficiency, affordability, size, and safety are hence the top priorities to consider when you decide on what to look for buying a chiminea.