Originating back thousands of years ago by Mexican tribesman, chimineas were developed as a means of providing heat for their family, as well as an instrument for cooking and baking. The original chimineas, made of mud or river clay, were designed to keep the rain off the fire, and keep the family warm using a few sticks.
Today, however, chimineas have become an increasingly popular backyard and deck accessory. Unlike the chimineas of old, which were built for functionality, chimineas today are built mainly for aesthetic appeal, coming in many different styles and designs. Recently, I bought my brother-in-law a forty-two inch Chiminea for his back yard, which he absolutely loves.
Chimineas are a great addition to any backyard, deck or patio, but many owners are not educated on the proper ways to operate a chiminea safely, or how to maximize the life of their chiminea. Here are my picks of top 10 tips to help owners enjoy the benefits of their chiminea safely, and extend the life of their unit.
Tip 1: Before lighting large fires, it is important to season your chimenea. Build small, fires with a couple pieces of kindle for the first 5 to 10 fires. Be sure and let the fire burn out naturally.
Tip 2: Never burn pressure treated wood, they can emit toxic gas. A good rule of thumb is that if it has a greenish tint it may be pressure treated. If you are not sure, don’t burn it!
Tip 3: For clay Chimeneas NEVER use lighter fluid or any other type of flame enhancing material because it can absorb the liquid.
Tip 4: Although not necessary with some styles, it is important to weatherproof most Chimeneas, by applying any type of floor wax to the outer shell. This helps to seal some of the pores and hairline cracks that are not visible to the naked eye, and will prevent moisture from being absorbed and crack the shell. This only needs to be done once in the lifetime of the unit.
Tip 5: During the winter months, store the chimenea in the garage or any other warm, dry area to prevent cracking resulting from the cold and moisture.
Tip 6: Avoid burning damp wood, as it gives off an abundance of excess smoke.
Tip 7: Take care to see that there’s nothing directly above the chimenea that could catch fire.
Tip 8: For wooden deck owners, be sure to place a non-combustible pad underneath the chimenea, to prevent any chances of your deck catching fire.
Tip 9: It is important not to lift the chimenea from the neck, as there’s a risk of it separating from the base.
Tip 10: When using the chiminea, it is best to keep a fire extinguisher handy.
