Chimineas

Chimineas were originally imported from Mexico and were all made of clay. These heaters go back for centuries and were used not only for heating but cooking and baking as well. The unique design shape helps keep the fire going in all sorts of weather, and they will heat up quickly with just a small amount of firewood to get them started. The self contained design will start easily with a small amount of kindling. The shape of the chimney is excellent for drawing air to the fire to quickly get a hot fire going. They are popular today in the US as an accessory for the deck, patio, or backyard, and their unique shape makes them popular for use as just a decorative feature, and many times aren’t use for heating or cooking at all.

Some of the cheaper chimineas (sometimes spelled chimeneas) will crack when they are heated and then have water on them from a storm or a sprinkler system. The clay chimineas will also at times have problems with weathering, which leads to flaking of the glazed finish or even crumbling of the clay itself. This accounts for the increasing popularity of alternative materials like cast iron, aluminum, or other metals, as they start to replace the original clay chimineas in homes today. Today’s chimineas have started to include other refinements, such as grated doors, spark screens, and chimney caps.