A charming little aluminum chiminea creates a warm, glowing ambience on chilly outdoor evenings.

Aluminum chimineas are becoming increasingly popular for heating patios, decks, terraces and back gardens, and it’s easy to see why. An aluminum chiminea has a charming, authentic antique look, while being lighter and less expensive than a genuine cast iron chiminea. The natural flame from an open fire built inside the chiminea radiates a wonderful ambient glow and a gentle warmth. If you love outdoor cooking, you can even add a cooking grill and enjoy a real flame grill barbecue any time you choose.

Chiminea safety tips.

Naturally, safety is very important where open fires are concerned. Never leave a chiminea or any other open fireplace burning unattended, and be particularly cautious if you have children or pets around. It may seem obvious, but make sure no one touches the outside surface of the chiminea while it is hot.

It’s wise to keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach whenever the chiminea is in use. Many chimineas feature a grill in the front, and a grate in the top of the chimney to catch flying sparks and embers, which is particularly important if you’re burning timbers like red cedar, which tend to pop and spark quite a bit.

Possibly the most important safety tip is to be absolutely certain that the timber you’re burning has not been pressure treated. Pressure treated timber gives off dangerous toxic fumes when burnt. Any timber which has a greenish tinge, or a peculiar chemical smell is probably pressure treated. If you’re in any doubt about any timber you have, err on the side of caution and don’t burn it.

For more information on enjoying an outdoor fireplace, please read this article on what to look for in a copper fire pit.