Outdoor Entertaining: Fan the Flames of Alfresco Life with a Chiminea
Get outside and enjoy the long evenings of midsummer, whatever the weather, with a stylish, heat-generating chiminea
Sitting outside at this time of year, when the evenings are at their longest, is a huge pleasure. Sometimes our climate can let us down, but if it’s only a nip in the air that’s preventing you enjoying your garden until late, why not invest in a chiminea?
These outdoor fireplaces throw out plenty of heat and some even contain integrated grills, so you can cook while you warm up. The range of styles is enormous, from small clay options in the familiar bulb shape to lofty, contemporary steel designs in striking black. Some contain log storage and many are designed with a 360 degree view of the flames, so a crowd gathered around can all enjoy the fire. Don’t let a dip in the temperature stand between you and an evening alfresco: simply make your own heat with one of these clever, efficient outdoor fires.
These outdoor fireplaces throw out plenty of heat and some even contain integrated grills, so you can cook while you warm up. The range of styles is enormous, from small clay options in the familiar bulb shape to lofty, contemporary steel designs in striking black. Some contain log storage and many are designed with a 360 degree view of the flames, so a crowd gathered around can all enjoy the fire. Don’t let a dip in the temperature stand between you and an evening alfresco: simply make your own heat with one of these clever, efficient outdoor fires.
Show your metal
This chiminea is made from hand-hammered copper and adds a lovely design element to this patio, as well as offering 360 degree heat. The short chimney adds to the look, making it a neater shape than some.
It’s important to remember, however, that chimineas do get properly hot. This design sits on its own neat stand, but even with a stand, chimineas can scorch the surface beneath them. If you wish to use one on decking, always place something underneath it for protection, such as a slab of concrete or stone. Equally, a chiminea placed directly on a lawn will scorch the ground around it. Also, if there are trees or bushes above the chiminea, their leaves can dry out in the heat and become a fire risk.
This chiminea is made from hand-hammered copper and adds a lovely design element to this patio, as well as offering 360 degree heat. The short chimney adds to the look, making it a neater shape than some.
It’s important to remember, however, that chimineas do get properly hot. This design sits on its own neat stand, but even with a stand, chimineas can scorch the surface beneath them. If you wish to use one on decking, always place something underneath it for protection, such as a slab of concrete or stone. Equally, a chiminea placed directly on a lawn will scorch the ground around it. Also, if there are trees or bushes above the chiminea, their leaves can dry out in the heat and become a fire risk.
Choose a contemporary style
Traditional chimineas are typically made from treated clay and often decorated or coloured, but there are contemporary alternatives. This sleek black metal design brings a neater, more streamlined feel to this smart deck area, while the tall chimney helps transport smoke up and away from anyone sitting at the table.
Traditional chimineas are typically made from treated clay and often decorated or coloured, but there are contemporary alternatives. This sleek black metal design brings a neater, more streamlined feel to this smart deck area, while the tall chimney helps transport smoke up and away from anyone sitting at the table.
Plump for petite and portable
Easy to use, portable and compact, the classic clay chiminea is a really useful piece of garden kit. If you choose a small design, it won’t set you back by too much, either. Think of it as a wood-burner for your terrace, keeping you warm long after the temperature has dropped.
Easy to use, portable and compact, the classic clay chiminea is a really useful piece of garden kit. If you choose a small design, it won’t set you back by too much, either. Think of it as a wood-burner for your terrace, keeping you warm long after the temperature has dropped.
Pick up a pyramid
Classic chimineas are bulbous and squat in design, but shop around and you can find more angular takes on this style. This steel pyramid is a great option, with its point forming a natural chimney.
Classic chimineas are bulbous and squat in design, but shop around and you can find more angular takes on this style. This steel pyramid is a great option, with its point forming a natural chimney.
Contemplate a little colour
If you go for a contemporary steel chiminea, you may then have the option to choose it in a coloured finish. This brings a welcome shot of colour to your outside space and helps the chiminea look great at any time of the day, whether lit or not.
Be inspired by barbecue inspiration for any outdoor space
If you go for a contemporary steel chiminea, you may then have the option to choose it in a coloured finish. This brings a welcome shot of colour to your outside space and helps the chiminea look great at any time of the day, whether lit or not.
Be inspired by barbecue inspiration for any outdoor space
Stay safe
Cast iron and steel chimineas can get very hot during use. Many come fitted with a guard across the fire, like this one, but if you have small children or pets, a freestanding guard that can be erected right around the chiminea will prevent anyone touching its exterior.
Cast iron and steel chimineas can get very hot during use. Many come fitted with a guard across the fire, like this one, but if you have small children or pets, a freestanding guard that can be erected right around the chiminea will prevent anyone touching its exterior.
Fit a flue
To avoid smoke billowing around a covered terrace area, it’s a good idea to add a flue to the top of the chiminea chimney to carry the smoke up and out through the roof.
To avoid smoke billowing around a covered terrace area, it’s a good idea to add a flue to the top of the chiminea chimney to carry the smoke up and out through the roof.
Add some iron
Cast-iron chimineas are easy to come by and they make the perfect team-mate for a set of cast iron garden chairs. They have a more traditional look, as opposed to clay chimineas, which are often styled to look Mexican or Mediterranean.
Check out ways to eat, drink and be merry in a small garden
Cast-iron chimineas are easy to come by and they make the perfect team-mate for a set of cast iron garden chairs. They have a more traditional look, as opposed to clay chimineas, which are often styled to look Mexican or Mediterranean.
Check out ways to eat, drink and be merry in a small garden
Handle with care
Clay chimineas are fragile and can smash if you drop them, so move them around carefully. To avoid cracks created by the fire itself, line the base with either sand, gravel or lava stones (also known as pumice stones) to keep the hottest part of the fire away from the clay. A layer of about 2.5cm should prevent cracking.
TELL US…
Do you have a chiminea? Share your tips for enjoying one in the Comments below.
Clay chimineas are fragile and can smash if you drop them, so move them around carefully. To avoid cracks created by the fire itself, line the base with either sand, gravel or lava stones (also known as pumice stones) to keep the hottest part of the fire away from the clay. A layer of about 2.5cm should prevent cracking.
TELL US…
Do you have a chiminea? Share your tips for enjoying one in the Comments below.
If your view is this good, you don’t want to be deterred from enjoying it by a chill breeze off the water. Even if it’s just almost this good – a view of your flowering garden, or of the countryside beyond, say – a chiminea with a blazing fire inside will help increase the usable time on your terrace.
Tealights dotted around this deck beautifully echo the fire’s flickering flames and add to the magical atmosphere.