About Chimeneas

A chimenea is a usually portable, front-loading fireplace that is
freestanding. It has a chimney coming out of the top to vent the
smoke, and usually has a bulbous -looking body. People today use
chimeneas to warm up their outdoor patio areas, to warm their garden
plants, and to provide a nice fire feature for their outdoor living
space.Chimeneas originated in Mexico, and they reportedly go back
centuries. Invented by tribesmen to provide a place to cook meals,
and means to keep warm on cooler nights, the reason for the enclosed
fire was so that they could have a fire even when it was raining
outside.Today, chimeneas are used in America as deck, patio, and porch
accessories. Sometimes they are placed purely for decoration, and
nobody uses them for fire. They are even used as planters -
especially the more decorative ones.Sometimes, people burn specific
types of wood because that particular wood repels bugs. Pinonwood is
one of the types of wood that repels bugs. It also has a pleasant
smell, when burned. Other times, people will just build traditional
fires to keep the area warm, or to provide ambiance on the patio
during a party or get-together.Mexican chimeneas were made of clay,
and many people have clay chimeneas in their yards today. The problem
with clay or terra cotta is that it cannot withstand sudden
temperature changes. You can get a nice big fire going, and if a cold
rain kicks up you can end up with a cracked chimenea.Luckily, there
are many chimeneas available for purchase that are made out of tougher
material than clay - like cast iron. Many body styles are available,
and they also make chimeneas that are hooked up to propane so that
they function like a gas fireplace. No worries about building or
stoking a fire yourself, that way.Many people still choose the
traditional wood-burning chimenea. In a cast iron body, it can
withstand temperature changes, and a wood fire is always more
satisfying than a gas one. You can have many a hot dog roast or
smores party without having to worry about firing up the grill, and a
chimenea is an attractive addition to an outdoor space that does not
require a large investment, or a permanent setup like a permanent
ground installed heater, for example.Most chimeneas come with a spark
screen, so that your guests don't get assaulted by random sparks from
the front, and modern metal chimeneas even have a spark arrestor on
the top, so that sparks don't shoot out of the top and potentially
damage your patio furniture, or your guests.Compared to other outdoor
heating options, chimeneas are relatively inexpensive. You can get a
cast iron, wood-burning chimenea for less than a thousand dollars, and
it will last you many seasons to come. Your outdoor living space is
an extension of your home, so why wouldn't you invest in an accessory
that makes it possible to use that outdoor space when you normally
wouldn't be able to?