Imagine a group of friends sitting outside under the fading warmth of the setting summer sun.  They’re talking and laughing, having fun, surrounded by the lush greenery of a lovely garden.  With a flourish, one of them stands up, walks over to a gorgeous outdoor oven, and pulls out a fresh, hot pizza, to the great delight of all.  Although this might sound like a fantasy set in old-time Sicily, it could actually be a scene from one of your own parties, with the help of a Mexican chiminea pizza oven.

If you are used to the typical small chiminea ovens, you might wonder how it is possible to bake a pizza in one.  The answer lies with a new generation of  Chiminea ovens which are far larger than their clay cousins, and are usually made out of cast iron or cast aluminum, often with a separate oven added for baking above the cozy roar of open flames.

If you’ve never tried outdoor baking, you will be amazed at how much fun it is.  Pizzas, breads, cakes, and other baked goods can be served hot and fresh, without you needing to run back and forth to the kitchen.  So you get to spend more quality time with your family and friends.

And if you’d like to take a break from pizza to serve steaks or burgers, it’s no problem.  Chiminea pizza ovens can be converted into standard open grills by simply removing the top part of the chimney.  Easy, convertible cooking for a wide variety of foods will be at your fingertips with this revolutionary outdoor oven.

Not only is a Chiminea pizza oven a great tool for cooking, but it is also a beautiful way to add warmth and coziness to your garden or patio.  Your guests will love to gather around the crackling flames when the evening chill sets in.

A clay Mexican chiminea is a beautiful and practical addition to an outdoor patio or garden.  Not only does it add atmosphere to your yard, but it provides light, warmth, and a cooking area all in one.  By selecting the right firewood for your chiminea, you can preserve its lifespan and keep it looking great and running well for years to come.

Seasoning Your Chiminea

When you first use your chiminea, it is important to season the clay so that it can harden.  First, add sand or gravel to the bowl of your Mexican chiminea to insulate the clay from the heat of the fire.  Then set a very small fire using fat wood and let it burn out naturally.  Do this five to ten times before attempting to build a larger fire in your chiminea.

It is important to remember never to use lighter fluid or any other chemicals in your Mexican chiminea.  The clay can soak up the toxic chemicals and ruin any other food you try to cook in your firepot.

Firewood for Normal Chiminea Use

Once the clay of your Mexican chiminea has been seasoned, it is time to learn to build regular fires.  You never want to overfill a chiminea, which was designed for small fires that are not overly hot.  Do not use logs that touch the sides of the chiminea, or which extend outside of the opening.  For most standard chimineas, this means using firewood that is approximately nine to fourteen inches in length.

Standard fireplace logs are typically too large for use in a clay chiminea, though you can cut them down yourself.  Also beware of pressure treated woods, which contain toxic chemicals, and wet or green wood, which will cause unpleasant smoking.

Good choices for Mexican chiminea firewood include aromatic woods like hickory, mesquite, and apple wood.  Pine and cedar are also lovely choices which help to drive away mosquitoes.

By choosing your firewood carefully, you can extend the life of your Mexican clay chiminea while getting the most from its cooking capabilities

In the past few years, chimineas (also spelled ‘chimeneas’ or ‘chiminias’) have become one of the most popular decorations for outdoor living spaces.  These self-contained outdoor fireplaces are affordable, portable, and best of all, highly attractive.  If you are interested in buying a chiminea for your own backyard or patio, one of the first decisions you will need to make is the material that suits your needs.

Clay Chimineas

The traditional chimenea, which has been used for warmth and cooking in Mexico for centuries, is made from clay.  Today, terracotta or El Barro clay is used to carry on this classic look.  If you are looking for a Southwestern accent for your outdoor living space, a clay chimenea is an excellent choice.

Clay chimineas also have the advantage that their outside surfaces do not become as hot to the touch as their metal counterparts.  This can reduce the chance of an accident ending in serious injury.  However, clay outdoor fireplaces are more prone to breakage if they are handled improperly, and they are vulnerable to frost.

Cast Iron Chimineas

Cast iron chimineas are an attractive alternative to traditional clay fireplaces.  Highly Available in a range of designs and colors, cast iron fireplaces add a lovely touch to your garden or back yard.

Heavy and durable, these chimeneas are not prone to cracks and breakage and less likely to tip over.  They are intended for use all year long.  However, the surface of a cast iron chimenea can become searing hot to the touch, and care must be taken that they do not rust when wet.

Cast Aluminum Chimineas

A cast aluminum chiminea that is both long-lasting and great-looking.  At first glance, it is hard to tell the difference between heavy-duty cast aluminum and iron; both come in a wide variety of styles and designs to fit any decorator’s tastes.

Aluminum is not as heavy as cast iron, which means that it is easier to knock over accidentally.  However, the lighter weight also means that it is easier to transport.  Furthermore, aluminum chimineas are not vulnerable to rust or to breakage from frost, as their cast iron and clay counterparts are.

No matter what your decision about materials is, a chimenea is a great way to add personality, warmth, and fun to your garden or back yard.

If you are looking for a practical and beautiful way to transform your backyard into a comfortable living space, outdoor patio wood heaters are a pleasant alternative to electric heating systems.  Wood ovens provide not only warmth, but the attraction of a roaring fire and the ability to cook over the flames, all without raising your gas or electric bill.

If you have decided to use a wood heater for your patio, you can choose from four basic categories of heating devices:

Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces – Extend the comfort of your living room into your porch or patio.  You can build an outdoor fireplace into the wall of your home, into a low wall surrounding your patio, or simply choose a stand-alone model.  Add warmth and atmosphere to your outdoor living space with this unique heating option.
Mexican-style Chimineas – Chimineas are a tradition dating back hundreds of years.  These outdoor wood heaters consist of two parts, a bowl and a chimney-like stem, which give them a unique and attractive appearance.  Great for cooking or for pure heating purposes.

Outdoor Firebowls – Firebowls are a handsome and portable way to heat your patio with wood.  Toast marshmallows over the flames or simply enjoy the extra warmth on a chilly evening.

Permanent Firepits – Build a stone- or brick-lined fire pit into your patio design for a safe and inexpensive way to keep yourself and your guests.  Relax next to the crackling flames and enjoy the scent of the aromatic wood.

Wood heaters are an affordable way to keep your patio warm on chilly nights, while simultaneously adding to the atmosphere of your outdoor living area.  Whether you are striving to create an outdoor great room or just to have a quick and easy alternative to cooking over your grill, wood burning patio heaters are a great choice.

If you love outdoor dining, it doesn’t have to end when summer goes.  A real fire can add warmth, intimacy and a glow to your entertaining.  Your guests will never want to leave!

There are now many kinds of outdoor wood heater to choose from, including one of the first methods of decorative outdoor heating, the ever-popular chiminea.

What is a chiminea?

A chiminea is a free-standing open fireplace that has a bulbous base and a vertical vent, or chimney, for smoke.  These were originally used by Mexican tribesmen for warmth and a method of heating for their families.

The first chimineas exported for worldwide use were made of clay and designed for use in hot countries.  Many people were not aware that their new chiminea needed curing before use.  It’s recommended that you should make five small fires in the bottom of the chiminea pot, one after the other, allowing each to cool completely before setting the next one.  People who didn’t do this found that their chimineas had problems with thermal shock – which is cracking, due to a rapid change in temperature.  As a result of this, chimineas fell from favour for a while.  But now they are back in some beautiful cast iron, antiqued metal and aluminium designs.  These are understandably more expensive than the clay versions but wear a lot better.

Other forms of patio wood heaters.

Fire pits are becoming very popular.  These are freestanding decorative ‘baskets’ in which small logs (or charcoal) can be burned as an open fire.

Many of these come with an optional grill so that they can be used for cooking as well as heating.  If you buy one of these, check for an inner fire cage which will make cleaning a lot easier.  If you have children or animals, it’s a good idea to buy one with a safety lid, usually of metal mesh.

If you’re worried about an open fire on your patio, take a look at the beautiful freestanding models which fully enclose the fire.  You can choose from styles ranging from ultra modern stainless steel to bygone era elegance in antiqued metal.

Outdoor fireplaces are just that – full fireplaces built in your outdoor space.  They are the most expensive form of all the outdoor heating options but as they are such beautiful permanent features, they would add value to your house.

Safety Tips for Outdoor fires

Be very careful where you place portable fire pits.

• They should be at least ten feet away from the house, fences or trees.
• Don’t forget that decking is combustible.  Some places have banned the use of firepits on decking that serves apartment buildings or duplexes.  Check with your local regulations before you buy.
• Invest in a fire extinguisher and keep it easily accessible – or have a bucket of water and a shovel close by.
• Don’t let children or animals near the fire.  The enclosed models can become very hot externally.
• Don’t ever leave the fire unattended.
• Ensure that the embers have burned out completely before retiring for the night.
• Never position outdoor heaters or fires beneath overhanging tree branches.
• Keep any extra wood well away from the fire.

When it comes to adding a fire source to your outside patio or garden, quality is one of the most important factors to consider.

Shoddy workmanship not only shortens the lifespan of your outdoor grill, but it also can put the lives of yourself, your family, and your friends in jeopardy. This is why a Blue Rooster Chiminea is such an excellent choice.

Blue Rooster creates high-quality chimineas from cast iron and cast aluminum. These chimineas will not break or crack as easily as their clay counterparts, giving them a longer lifespan. A chiminea such as this Venetian Cast Aluminum from Blue Rooster can last years longer than a low-quality outdoor oven made from clay.

Unlike some other companies, Blue Rooster does not try to cut corners in the quality of the metal used in their chimineas.

Cast iron chimineas can weigh up to 200 pounds. Why is that an advantage for a homeowner? Heavier chimineas will resist tipping, which is both a safety hazard and a threat to the longevity of the oven. Furthermore, solid cast iron will resist dents, chips, and other damage that can occur over time.

A cast aluminum chiminea from Blue Rooster is somewhat lighter than iron, which makes it more portable. It also requires little to no maintenance, whereas cast iron chimineas need to be painted to prevent rust.

A true cast aluminum oven will also serve your family for many years; just be sure that the quality of the metal is high. Cast aluminum should not be mistaken for cheap sheet metal ovens, which do not have the durability that can be found from Blue Rooster.

Turn to Blue Rooster if you want to buy a safe and long-lasting chiminea that your family can enjoy worry-free.