Who doesn’t like being able to extend the summer by sitting outside around a fire. It’s a great way to get an early start in spring or extend summer into autumn.

Regular fire pits and chimenea all have one major draw back to them though, they burn wood.

Sure we’ve burnt wood since the first cave man found a tree struck by lightning but thanks to modern technology we can have fire with out all the mess of ash and soot.

Using a gel fuel means we don’t have to shovel a bunch of ash out after use. Not only that but we don’t have to worry about any hot ashes catching the surrounding shrubbery on fire.

The Real Flame Sierra Outdoor Fireplace is a great outdoor heater. It uses up to four gel fuel packs in a sliding tray to give off plenty of warmth. There’s no worry about scraping out built up soot. All that is needed is to slide the tray out and replace the gel fuel packs

The Sierra outdoor gel fireplace is a sturdy piece of out door equipment to boot. It’s made out of powder coated steel, glass, and concrete weighing in at about seventy pounds.  It comes with a black finish so the minimal sooting that might occur from using gel packs won’t even show up.

Another feature you will like about the this fireplace is that it comes with a set of lava rocks to help disperse the heat. It also comes with a cover to put over it, protecting it from the elements. You can leave this fireplace outside all year long and not have to worry about it standing up to the elements.

Things we like

• Solid hefty construction

• Total heat output of the Sierra outdoor gel fireplace

• Ability to customize fuel usage from 1 gel pack up to 4 gel packs in a hidden tray

Real Flame Gel Fuel

• Made from gelled isopropyl alcohol
• Perfect for indoor and outdoor use
• 24 – 13 oz cans per case
• Environmentally friendly

Click to Buy the Real Flame Sierra Outdoor Fireplace and Real Flame Gel Fuel

Starting a fire in the backyard is all the rage these days. There are all sorts of options from an elaborate brick fireplace, to a fire pit to tables with braziers built into them. There is  another option though, a Chiminea.

And just what is a Chiminea?

Well it’s kind of a cross between an outdoor fireplace and a pot bellied stove.

Chiminea are commonly made out of pottery, cast iron or aluminum and can be found in many sizes. They have a large fat bottom that tapers into a round tall stovepipe.

You can fit a Chiminea  into any corner of your patio. Just mke absolutely sure that you place it  on a fireproof surface and have also that there is plenty of ventilation. Accidents happen and you don’t want a hot spark lighting up your roof.

These are designed for use outdoors in your garden entertainment area. Never use one indoors as it can produce large amounts of toxic carbon monoxide.

Pretty much anything is burnable in a chiminea, wood, charcoal you name it. Just make sure that you never use lighter fluid to get your fire going. It can damage and stain the chiminea, weakening it.

Whenever you use a chiminea do make sure to let it completely cool before cleaning it out.

If you have a chimenea made out of pottery or clay, then any sudden temperature change can crack and break it. Never spray water on it to cool it down, well unless you feel like it’s time to buy a new one.

So what is a chiminea?

Easy, it’s an affordable way to add some heat to your backyard parties.

If you purchase a small  portable one, you can move it around your yard until you find just the right spot for it.

Not only is a chiminea a great way to stay warm on a chilly evening,  there are even chiminea ovens that you can cook in while keeping warm.

So why not take the opportunity to whip up a tasty pizza and some baked potatoes to eat while you are keeping warm. Enjoy!

Chimineas are very popular additions to many backyards. This is not a surprise if you have seen one. They offer the warmth and coziness of a fire, while being made in a beautiful clay pot formation that has a folksy and homey feel to it.

But it is important to remember that chimineas are fragile. After all they are made of clay and the proper care of them means you need to keep a lot of rules in mind.

Getting it Home

The first hurdle you have to overcome is getting your chiminea home. Usually, chimineas come in two pieces the chimney and the bowl when you are taking your chiminea home you should separate these pieces and try to make sure each are set where they will be protected and not bang around as that could risk breakage. Of course when you buy online, your chiminea will be delivered right to your door properly packaged.

Seasoning

When you first get your clay chiminea home you will need to season it. This means you need to create a small fire inside the chiminea. Choose a couple of large pieces of wood and let them burn out on their own. This long burning time will do a couple of things it will remove any chemicals that may be inside your chiminea from it’s creation and also help seal the inside which will give it a longer life.

Weather

Most people see clay chimineas outside and think that they can just toss them in the backyard and leave them. This is not the case. It is vital to remember that most chimineas do not have any protection against the elements. They are simply fired clay. Rain and water can damage them. Therefore you, you may want to apply a coat of sealant in an attempt to protect your chiminea from the elements. Also keep in mind if it is too cold outside, the clay may crack, so when winter approaches, it’s best to bring your chiminea in out of the weather.

Many people who have a chiminea in their backyard initially purchased it as a way to be able to have a great heating element in their backyard. But eventually, they always ask the question, can I cook in my chiminea? The answer is yes and here’s how.

Season

You should always season your chiminea before you ever use it for cooking food. You never know what kinds of chemicals and treatments were used on it when it was being made and you want to burn these off. To season it start a number of fires in the chiminea and let them burn for a while. This should burn off any residue.

Preheat

The first thing you need to do is preheat the chiminea. If you have cooked with any type of grill you understand this is typical procedure for cooking. Start by setting charcoal briquettes inside the chiminea and let them burn for a while. It is important that you use self-lighting charcoal, as you do NOT want to use any lighter fluid or other accelerant in your chiminea.

Bring On the Food

Put the food you want to cook on skewers or wrap them in foil. You can also put them on metal sheets before putting them in the fire.

If you have a grill built into your chiminea you can set the food on this area. If not, you can set foil wrapped foods directly on the charcoal and let them cook that way. Make sure to use a tool like tongs made for a grill to put the food items in, as the chiminea will be hot.

Check your food. A chiminea can cook food very quickly sometimes; so don’t get too far away from your food. The reason for this is because the heat radiates into the food from all sides, as it is essentially a hot pot. You should check it regularly (every 10 minutes or so)

So, you’ve created the perfect backyard get away.

You have patio furniture and a fire pit to keep you warm or make marshmallows over.

But you don’t use this area all year long. Perhaps you have covers for your patio furniture to protect those pieces when they are not in use, but what about your firepit? Have you thought about covering it and keeping it protected from the elements?

Whether you know it or not, firepits can use a little protection too. After all, the wrath of Mother Nature is quite devastating on anything outdoors. While your fire pit may have been made to be used in the outdoors, that doesn’t mean it’s completely impervious to anything that Mother Nature can throw at it.

By protecting your fire pit and covering it, it will be able to last longer and give you heat and enjoyment for many more years.

Covering your fire pit doesn’t have to be a daunting task. When you purchase the Classic Fire Pit Cover you will be able to get the protection you need for your fire pit in a very easy device.

This cover is made of a canvas like material that can cover a firepit that is up to 44 inches wide. Simply center the cover over the top of your fire pit and tuck it in. It will keep the moisture out, but if there is any trapped inside, it even has air vents to help it escape.

If you want to make sure it’s snug, or live in a windy area, you may want to use the ties to hold it in place, but this is not always necessary.

What We Like:

• This is very easy to use and can be quickly put in place over your firepit.

• It’s a very economical solution to protect your fire pit and keep it around much longer.

Click Here to buy or read what others are saying.

Outdoor kitchens are becoming more popular these days, as more and more home owners realize the benefits to putting their outdoor living areas to greater use.

Not only is entertaining outdoors more fun and more simple than holding yet another party in a boring living room, but an outdoor kitchen also adds a significant amount to the value of the home. Outdoor kitchens require an investment of both time and momey, however.

Here are some things to consider when buying an outdoor kitchen that could save you considerable expense in the long run.

How to Use Your Space

Before you start shopping, take a good look at the space you have available and determine how much of that space you want to use for your kitchen. Remember to block out room for gardens, play sets, and any other important features of your back yard.

How Will Your Kitchen be Oriented?

Before getting your heart set on a specific outdoor kitchen, think about how you will protect your guests from cool breezes, whether you’ll be staring into the setting sun as you cook, and how to keep your outdoor kitchen as close to your indoor kitchen as possible.

Check on Required Building Permits

Adding an outdoor kitchen is a much more serious undertaking than simply installing a grill. You may need building permits before you get underway. It’s a good idea to check on your local requirements before going ahead with your project.

How Will You Run Your Gas/Electric Lines?

If you’re going to have an outdoor kitchen, you’re going to need an easy way to manage the heat and electricity you’ll need. You should determine whether it’s possible to install the electrical or gas lines that you’ll need before getting started.

How Will the Plumbing Work?

Most outdoor kitchens include a working sink, which greatly eases everything from food preparation and hygiene to making drinks for guests. To accomplish a running sink, however, you’re going to need both water to the outdoor kitchen and a drain to the sewage system. This is worth considering before getting underway.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

At this point, you’ll probably want to consider what you’ll want to store outside, and where storage space will be located. Keeping plates, utensils, spices, and cutlery in your outdoor kitchen can save you a lot of work carrying stuff back and forth, if your storage is designed to keep your items clean and organized. Fit In Counter Space Counter space is an important aspect of cooking that is often overlooked when designing outdoor kitchens. Food preparation will be difficult if you don’t have the room to clean and slice your ingredients.

Choose Your Flooring Carefully

Cooking outdoors puts some special requirements on the flooring of your kitchen. The chances are even higher that you’ll be walking on the floor while it’s wet, so you should find a non-slip, non-porous surface. You’ll also want something with low glare, to prevent reflections in the sun.

By following these tips, you can have a good idea of what you’ll need from your outdoor kitchen before you go shopping, and before you make a potentially costly mistake.