Top 10 Best Cast Iron Chimineas – Should You Buy One in {2022}?

Article by Sarah Morris

Sarah Morris

    

Sarah Morris is an avid writer of home decor and product reviews. She covers furniture products and more for ChosenFurniture.

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| Updated on September 25, 2022

Cast iron chimineas are a present-day variant of old clay chimeneas with the same classic design. The difference is that they carry more shapes and features, however, cast iron will offer higher durability.

Chiminea cast iron versions from today stay with the same very rustic appeal, yet they are more heavy-duty than their clay cousins and come with a higher need for annual maintenance. Whether you’re using a cast iron chimenea for the occasional backyard gathering, like a patio heater, or just as a decorative piece, they are a great addition almost to any place you own.

What is the best material for chimineas?

A cast iron chimnea heat bigger and for longer. Cast iron is a more durable material, less susceptible to damage caused by temperature change. It should outlive even the best quality clay or steel chimineas. With high temperatures, capacity and size, they are perfect for cooking.

List of Top 10 Cast Iron Chimineas

Rank		Brand		Score
1.		Bali Outdoors	Outdoor Fireplace, Cast Iron Chimenea in Black With round wire mesh screening design enables all direction visibility fire at chiminea. Chiminea is ideal for use with firewood and artificial logs. The sliding door and ash tray enable users to add fuel or remove ash with ease. The Chiminea firepit features heavy-duty cast iron construction. PVC cover not included. Product dimensions 22 x 45 inches, item weight 53 pounds.	9.80	View Product
2.		The Blue Rooster Co	Grape Cast Iron Chiminea in Charcoal Removable neck w/grilling area, removable rain lid, spark arrestor insert. Hinged mouth spark screen, Cast iron bottom grate, carry handles for easy arrangement. Free screen and wood tool, a bottle of touch-up paint. Approx. 22 x 22 x 52 inches. Weight 178 pounds. Handles a full-size fire log and burns cleaner than a fire pit, due to efficient drafting.	9.70	View Product
3.		Deeco Consumer Products	Deeco Aztec Allure Cast Iron Pizza Oven Chiminea Durable cast iron construction with a fiberglass lining to lock in heat. Include an outdoor fireplace and oven, and a stainless steel barbecue grill hidden behind the sunburst. Removable ash draws for easy cleanup, hinged spark guard screen door. Size 16 x 18.5 x 44 inches. Weight 130 pounds.	9.50	View Product
4.		Hampton Bay	Lokia 20 in Cast Iron Chiminea Durable cast iron construction, weather-resistant powder coating finish. Fire poker included. The mesh spark screen with a geometric pattern keeps embers contained while providing a great view of the entire fire pit. Assembled size: 23.42 D x 42.52 H inches.	9.30	View Product
5.		The Blue Rooster Co	Prairie Style Cast Iron Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal The perfect centerpiece for a restaurant or outdoor patio area. Handles a full-size fire log. Safe clean burning single opening traditional chiminea, spark arrestor neck insert. Removable rain lid, carry handles for easy arrangement. Free screen and wood tool, a bottle of touch-up paint. Cast iron CH027CI. Approx. 52 x 22 inches, weight 174 pounds.	8.90	View Product
6.		The Blue Rooster Co	Venetian Style Cast Iron Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal Highly functional, extra large chiminea outdoor fireplace design. Weighing almost 200 pounds it is one of the heaviest models. Has a removable top for outdoor grilling, pizza, or baking bread. Hinged mouth screen door and built-in carry handle. Heavy cast iron construction. Dimensions 18 x 22 x 52 inches.	8.70	View Product
7.		Oakland Living	Leaf Decorative Outdoor Chimenea Antique Pewter Adds beauty, style and functionality. Durable cast iron construction. Hardened powder coat finishes in antique pewter for years of beauty. Easy to follow assembly instructions and product care information. Stainless steel; galvanized or brass assembly hardware. Fade; chip and crack resistant. Can fit three to five logs or use charcoal for grilling. Approx. 20 x 23 x 53 inches, weight 168 pounds.	8.60	View Product
8.		Kay Home Products	Deckmate Sonora Outdoor Chimenea Fireplace Great for burning wood and artificial logs. Designer embossed cast iron construction and high-temperature paint finish. Full 360-degree view of fire with fine wire mesh spark screen. Large sliding door for adding fuel and an ash catcher for easy cleanup. Cap on top to keep out the rain. Log grate and fire tool included. Dimensions 21 x 21 x 51.6 inches with a weight of 75 pounds. For outdoor use only.	8.50	View Product
9.		Oakland Living	Butterfly Cast Iron Chimenea Antique Bronze Cast iron construction for long-lasting durability. Hardened powder coat finishes in antique bronze for years of beauty. Easy to follow assembly instructions and product care information. Stainless steel galvanized or brass assembly hardware. Fade, chip, and crack resistant. Dimensions 20 x 23 x 53 inches, item weight 168 pounds.	8.20	View Product
10.		The Blue Rooster Co	Garden Style Cast Iron Chiminea in Charcoal Safe clean burning single opening traditional chiminea, cast iron grilling/baking insert. Removable rain lid, spark arrestor neck insert, carry handles for easy arrangement. Removable top, free screen, and wood tool, a bottle of touch-up paint. Regular maintenance will ensure years of use. Great for commercial settings such as campgrounds, skating rinks, and restaurants. Cast iron approx. 22 x 22 x 44 inches, 172 pounds. Cast Aluminum Garden Style Chiminea with Gas kit available here.	8.10	View Product

Cast Iron Chimineas for Homes and Gardens | BBQ and Outdoor Heating

Chimenea, Chiminea or Chimnea?

The right English spelling is chimenea and is pronounced chim-ih-nee-ah. It’s defined as a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and a vertical smoke vent or chimney. Common misspellings are chiminea and chimnea. Chimenea originated in Mexico many hundreds of years ago and was traditionally made from clay. They were used as both a source of heat and also a means to cook or bake. The Spanish translation of chiminea means chimney. Today in America the word is still frequently spelled with an i instead of an e. Although clay is still popular. there are modern cast iron and steel alternatives available now.

Clay, Cast Iron or Steel Chimnea?

Cast iron chiminea and steel chiminea are much more durable than the clay versions. Special care must be taken with the clay models during the first use and then during periods of frost. Clay chiminea models can also crack and crumble if the temperature is changing fast. This can occur when starting a fire on a cold day or a cold downpour of rain on a glowing fire. Cast iron and steel chiminea will rust very quickly, even after the first rain. This is usual and in many cases, it is a desirable effect. Although they are painted with heat-resistant paint they often can’t cope with the heat generated and will burn off quickly.

Cast Iron Chiminea

Cast iron chimineas can bring years of enjoyment to almost any backyard or garden but are they the perfect choice for you? Chimineas come in three basic types – clay, stainless steel, and cast iron. Each type of chiminea will have its unique qualities so it’s important to choose the best type for your landscape or intended use.

The cast iron chimineas are made from molds, allowing them to come in almost any shape or size. If you choose a cast iron model, remember one thing – cast iron is pretty heavy. If you plan on finding that perfect spot for your chiminea and never move it, the weight won’t be an issue. However, if you plan on storing your chiminea inside for the winter the weight could be a problem.

What’s the Difference Between a Chiminea and a Fire Pit?

A fire pit is open. There is no chimney flue over the fire. The size of fire pits varies from 24 to ’40s plus inches. You can stack this as far as the pit will hold and make a GREAT fire. You will be able to enjoy the fire 360 degrees around the fire pit and burn regular size logs.

A chiminea keeps the fire inside. The fire is in a bowl that has sides up to the chimney. A contained bowl is usually 24 inches or so in diameter. This means you can’t burn large logs. Then chiminea construction at the top force the heat to rise from a large base area to a smaller chimney and the smoke will blow out with tremendous force. This will keep your backyard from getting smoky. The chiminea will also retain a lot of heat.

Cast iron is a resilient material untroubled by weather extremes, so your chimineas will serve you well for ages. A cast iron chimenea is made of standard parts which are assembled with nuts and bolts to make the product. Some products are made in one piece. Cast iron absorbs the heat of the fire, radiating it out. Cast iron is a strong material untroubled by weather extremes, so your chimineas will serve you well for ages.

Choose a cast iron chimenea IF:

• You want to heat a large space
• You want a fire to burn for hours with just one or two small logs
• You want to add a little more character to your patio or backyard
• You want a product that will last for years

Do not choose cast iron chimineas:

• If you plan to move it often (cast iron chimeneas are heavy)
• If you don’t like rust (cast iron chimeneas will rust)
• If you don’t like to assemble products

How To Choose the Best Chimenea

There are many models of chimeneas available to choose from, but essentially, they divide into three categories: clay, cast iron, and steel. Once you’ve chosen your chiminea material, it’s much easier to pick the right model for you.

These questions may seem complicated, but they all boil down to one decision that you need to make. So, what should you look for when buying a chiminea? You usually get what you pay for, and very cheap chimineas are often fairly poor quality. Cheap is usually a false economy. On the other hand, there’s also no need to spend a king’s ransom for a beautifully made, high-quality chimenea.

What size chiminea do I need? It depends on the size of the space you have. Chimineas get very hot and have a bigger surface area than the fire itself and radiate all that heat out into the space surrounding them. You can also get flat-back versions that stand against a wall for convenience and extra safety.

Pick the right fuel – not every fuel burns at the same speed and temperature. The heat you get depends on 3 things: calorific content, weight, and moisture. The average log has a calorific content of 16 MJ per KG, and coal scores are 29. That’s why coal is unsuitable for chimineas. Of all the fuel types, wood is the best option. Some woods burn slow hot and clean, they are perfect for a chiminea fire. Others spit out sparks and puff acrid smoke into the air. The best wood choices for a chiminea fire include pinion pine, apple, scrap lumber, red cedar, and eco logs. Do not burn pressure-treated wood that emits toxic gasses when on fire. A good size range for Chiminea wood is from 9-14 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter. This size may vary depending on the size of your chiminea mouth.

Chimineas must be placed on a stand if they are not manufactured with built on legs. This is essential, as the chiminea can become dangerously hot and present a fire hazard if placed directly on a floor. In addition to a stand, you want to place cast iron chimineas on a fire-safe base. No matter what type of base you choose, you must make sure it is level, as you do not want your chiminea to fall. You might also consider purchasing a spark arrestor for your chiminea. A spark arrestor is a mesh screen that you place over the chimney hole to prevent sparks from escaping. Choose a spark arrestor for the front of the fire bowl, too.

How To Use A Chiminea

Chimineas are incredibly easy to use and, once they’re burning, can retain their heat for over twelve hours. With this simple guide, you will be able to have your chiminea up and running with minimal fuss and with great results.

To start, we presume you already had prepared a solid level surface for the cast chiminea to sit on. After the chiminea is level and set up on the stand, place around 2 or 3 inches of sand or lava stones in the bottom of the bowl. This provides a barrier and prevents the fire from resting directly on the bottom of the chiminea. Some users like to add a couple of bricks on top of the sand, gravel, or lava stones. The wood is stacked on top of the bricks allowing a gap to form underneath. This gap allows increased airflow, creating a better fire.

Make sure the inner chamber is clear of any old ash or debris before lighting a fire. If your chiminea has a lid, make sure you take it off as this will prevent air from getting to the fire making it harder to light, and, if it has a great, fix this inside the chiminea so you can start lighting your fire. Once your chiminea is prepared for a new fire, make sure you have plenty of wood to keep it burning.

(Before you use the chiminea, you will have to cure it, whether it’s iron or clay. Curing a chiminea essentially means that you are slowly preparing it to endure high heat.)

When lighting your chiminea, it is a good idea to place small bundles of newspaper or birch bark into the center of the chamber and light these at multiple locations. Once these have caught light create a modest pyramid out of kindling around the fire to keep it burning. Do not use chemical firelighters as these produce foul-smelling chemicals and never put any type of flammable oil or gasoline in the fire as this could create an explosion that will not only ruin your chimney but also potentially harm anyone nearby.

Keep adding to the kindling, but do not smother the fire with wood. The chiminea will begin to smoke a bit. After burning for about an hour, light a larger fire using logs or wood adding small amounts and small logs at first and building up to larger pieces of wood as the fire builds up its intensity. Allow the roaring fire to burn for another hour until you have white-hot embers inside the chamber. At this point leave the chiminea to burn, poking the embers to allow air to flow around them and keep the heat at a maximum.

From here on your chiminea will continue to burn and produce heat for many hours providing you with a very comfortable heat. When you are finished with the chiminea, just let its content burn down to ash and, when cool, clean it out for the next time you want to use it. Always allow the fire inside your chiminea to burn out on its own. Never use water to douse the fire because it could damage your chiminea!

Along with these tips, there are everyday things you can do to maintain the longevity of your chiminea. Clean cast iron chimineas regularly by removing the sand, and cleaning the grill and interior. You should also purchase a cover for your chiminea to protect it from weather elements and prevent creatures from crawling inside when it’s not in use. Make sure you only use the cover once the chiminea is fully cooled.

Chiminea Safety Tips

First of all, since you are using real fire, do not put your chiminea anywhere near flammable materials. The most common mistake is to place a chiminea directly on a wood deck. If you wish to use it on decking, always place something underneath it, such as a floor protector, especially for this purposeEnsurere that the chiminea is placed away from other materials that could burn or catch fire, such as tree branches, sheds, fences, and plants.

Second, never use your chiminea indoors! Despite their appearance and effectiveness at venting smoke, chimineas are only designed for outdoor use! A chiminea should be in its area, and at a safe distance away from your home. Keep in mind that smoke will rise through the chimney, so consider anything above it like trees or overhangs. Do not put your chiminea under an awning or other outdoor covers. Make sure the chiminea is sturdy and not likely to tip over. Three or four-legged stands are available, and a foundation of brick will decrease the possibility of fire spreading.

With clay chimineas, the biggest safety tip is to take the lid off. This can be dangerous as the pressure from the flames below could cause the chiminea to explode. Clay chimineas are fragile. To prolong the life of your chiminea and avoid cracks from the fire, we advise lining the base with either sand, gravel, or lava stones which are special stones that will keep the hottest part of the fire away from the clay. So just drop an inch or so of sand, gravel, or lava stones to prevent cracking.

Finally, start with small fires. If you do not cure your chiminea by starting with small fires, then you risk cracks appearing. To prevent this from happening, just ball up some newspapers or wood sticks and let them burn out completely. Keep fires small at first, you can then build larger fires after you have done this a few times.

Check out the video for more tips on this very same topic:

WARNING: Supervise children and pets around the chiminea at all times. Chimineas are extremely hot and may cause burning. Do not touch the surface when in use. Before use, check to make sure your chiminea is properly seated and stable on its stand to avoid the risk of tipping while in use. It is advisable to keep a fire extinguisher in your proximity.

Storing A Cast Iron Chiminea

Cast iron chimineas rust. It makes sense to store it and make sure it’s totally dry before you do it. If there are any rusty spots or areas, get rid of them with a wire brush then give it a coat of chim paint. Oil any moving parts so they don’t rust and get stuck. Stand it off the floor to help keep dampness at bay. Cover it with a proper chiminea protector.

Chiminea FAQ

Ideally, we recommend chimineas to be placed in an open area or just outside a roofline allowing them maximum airflow and ventilation. However, it depends on your situation. Take a look at these FAQs to see if we’ve answered your queries and concerns.

How Do I Choose A Chiminea?

As we explained in this article, there are a lot of things to consider when buying a chiminea. If you’re looking for a new chiminea to replace a damaged model, you already have an idea of what you’re looking for, but it’s still a good idea to look at all the options on our Top 10 before deciding because there are often exciting new designs and models available.

What Chiminea Size Do I Need?

Chimineas come in many shapes and sizes. If you are the happy owner of a large garden or patio, why not try an extra large chiminea? A large chiminea fits perfectly in a medium-to-large garden. If you just want to brighten up a corner of your patio, try a small chiminea. Whichever size you decide to go for, make sure that you have a firm, level, fire-resistant surface to put it on. If you’re putting your chiminea on decking or another wood surface, ALWAYS use a floor protector to prevent sparks damaging the wood!

Cast Iron, Steel, or Clay Chiminea – Which Is Best?

Like any product you want to buy, they all have their advantages and disadvantages. To resume:

Cast Iron Chimineas – very sturdy, durable. They perform excellently as heaters and are great for occasional BBQs. Nowadays, many come with an integral swing-out BBQ grill. The cast iron makes these chimineas heavy for their size, but they will store heat for a long period so they’re remarkably efficient for heating. The downside of cast iron is that you need to protect it against rust. Apply a fire-resistant finish or paint, an easy job that does not require high skills.

Steel Chimineas – lighter than cast iron, steel chimineas are good at radiating heat and for cooking. As a plus, they are modern in design and less prone to rust, although they still need to be protected from bad weather. We recommend purchasing a cover set.

Clay Chimineas – they are the traditional option. Clay chimineas soak up the heat of the fire and radiate it well. Made of thick clay, are heavy and should constantly be protected from bad weather. They usually don’t come with grills, but you can buy removable grills and cooking accessories. Clay chimeneas are fragile, and will crack easily.

What Can I Burn In My Chiminea?

Chimineas are great to dispose of small quantities of dry garden or household waste. Don’t burn plastics – they can be toxic and dangerous as well as smelly and smoky. Wood is great for burning. Cedar, pine, apple, and hickory are some of the most popular chiminea woods, but whatever wood you burn you should always make sure it hasn’t been chemically treated (stay away from pressure-treated wood and parts of manufactured logs). Do not burn pellets in your chiminea, as they are manufactured specifically for wood stoves and they tend to burn very hot and leave a lot of ash. Most cast iron chimineas manufacturers also do not recommend burning charcoal in your chiminea. NEVER use gasoline or petroleum-based accelerants to help start a fire! Try to avoid green woods, as they will create a great deal of smoke and very little fire.

Are Cast Iron Chimineas Dangerous?

Some companies suggest that cast iron chimineas are dangerous because of the high temperatures they reach. It’s obvious that a cast iron heater gets hot and will radiate more heat over a much greater area. If you want to play safe, opt-in for a clay chiminea that will look great, but will not provide anywhere near as much heat, and is likely to crack and possibly fall apart after a very short time. Use good common sense and safety practices when using your chiminea – you are handling fire, after all.

Do I Need To Spend A Lot Of Time On Maintenance?

Cast iron will require more love than steel, just because of the properties of the metal and its corrosiveness.

Conclusion

Cast iron chimineas can be a great addition to backyards. They are sturdy, generate a lot of heat, and can last for long years with the appropriate maintenance. The chiminea type you choose ultimately depends on your use and expectations. Chimeneas have become very popular and can add excitement and character to almost any place.