The Best Chiminea
After looking at several chimineas currently available on the market, we have found that the best chiminea is the Deckmate Sonora chiminea. It is a great hybrid between a fire pit and a chiminea and has a full 360′ mesh viewport. The Deckmate Sonora is large enough to accommodate most standard-size logs and burns nicely. It can be used for cooking in a pinch and does a good job channeling smoke away from guests.
Last update on 2024-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For a complete review of the Deckmate Sonora, please see our Product Reviews section below.
Chimineas
Evenings spent sitting outside in the late summer and fall, as the air cools a bit and the leaves begin to change, can be magical. Experiencing the outdoors during these times can get a little chilly, even with the grill fired up and plenty of good food on the table, so having outdoor fire feature is a great way to warm up, and bring some wonderful charm to the garden and patio. There are a variety of ways of bringing that fire feature to the garden.
A good fire pit, a beautiful ethanol fireplace, or (as we will focus on in this piece) the best chiminea for your needs would all bring that magic. The sound of crackling wood, the warmth of the fire, and the glow as the sun sets, all add to the charm of the outdoor experience.
Chimineas (also spelled chimeneas) are free-standing outdoor fireplace units, usually made of metal or clay. They are generally vertical in shape and have an open top. Wood is burned in the center of the unit, and the chiminea expels the smoke out of the top of the unit. This drafting air flow keeps the smoke away from the eyes and lungs of those huddled around it.
Many chimineas are quite beautiful and very functional. There are several different options to choose from, and this article of chiminea reviews and information will explore several of the best chimineas to buy out there.
Chiminea Product Reviews
In this section, we’ll look in depth at several of our favorite chimineas. If you know you want a modern-style chiminea, be sure to check out our information on modern chimineas here.
Deckmate Sonora Outdoor Chimenea Fireplace Model 30199
The Deckmate Sonora Outdoor Chiminea is a nice combination between a fire bowl and a chiminea. This unit is an attractive option with a lot of interesting features (such as the flue cap/chimney cap shown in this photo). Though it has a decidedly traditional look, it would fit well in a modern patio setting.
The Details
The Deckmate Sonora has a 360′ degree view of the fire box, which means that it can be set in the middle of a fire pit area and function as a fire pit for those surrounding it. On top of the fire box is the chimney, which channels the smoke away from those around the chiminea, and improves air flow through the unit. Cool! It also has a mesh screen to keep those burning embers from flying into someone’s lap, and a hook for hanging fire tools for easy access.
The Sonora is made of cast iron, and is quite heavy. For dimensions, it is about 51″ tall from the top of the chimney to the bottom of the legs and 28″ in diameter, and about 22″ in diameter inside the fire box, and the firebox is about 14″ high to the start of the chimney. Full sized split chiminea logs can be used in the Sonora’s firebox.
The firebox is expansive with a nice grate, and you can totally toast marshmallows on it. Always a plus. However, it would be difficult to cook anything on this chimenea. If you need a base, get four 12″x 12″ concrete pavers, and the legs will sit on that base nicely.
In terms of assembly, the Sonora is not a difficult piece to assemble. Get some 1/4″ lock washers (metal, not nylon!) to go behind the nuts that are supplied to make the whole unit a bit sturdier.
As you assemble, use hand tools and work your way around the circle tightening in passes, and get all the screws generally in place and before you tighten each of them to finish strength.
Be sure you get the unit essentially in place before you mount the chimney to the unit, as it becomes much more difficult to move once its all assembled. All told, assembly takes a couple of hours.
We recommend you get a cover for the unit, as it’s always good to keep water away from these metal chimineas. Some users reported issues with broken parts upon delivery, and that likely had to do with poor shipping of the heavy unit. If yours arrives damaged, contact Amazon or the seller immediately, as it should not be damaged.
The Bottom Line
The design of the Sonora chiminea is well thought out, and the build quality is hefty cast iron. It feels solid and a bit old-world, in a nice way. Deckmate makes a smaller, much less useful version of this chiminea called the Deckmate Corona, which we really don’t recommend. Yes, it’s cheaper, but it is much less functional, and it doesn’t balance its smallness with the cool designs of some of the La Haciendas If you’re considering the Corona, we would suggest saving up for the Sonora. In all, the Deckmate Sonora is certainly one of the best chimineas!
- For burning wood and artificial logs
- Designer embossed cast iron construction and high temperature paint finish
- Full 360 degree view of fire with fine wire mesh spark screen
- Large sliding door for adding fuel and an ash catcher for easy cleanup
- Log grate and fire tool included
Last update on 2024-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
La Hacienda Murcia Steel Chimenea, 53.5 by 18.9-Inch, Black
Next on our list is the Murcia Steel Chiminea from La Hacienda. This chiminea design is very curvy, and a bit more Mediterranean than some of the other offerings on this list. It sits on three curved metal legs, and supplies a pleasant silhouette.
The Details
This attractive, Spanish-colonial style unit is 53.5 x 18.9 and weighs 30lbs. It is made of thin steel and has a very significant heating area. The Murcia burns untreated wood, logs, and cooking charcoal, so it is quite flexible in terms of chiminea fuel. This unit does have a grill/oven area for cooking, though realistically it’s not easy to cook in it.
It has a convenient clean-out door and a cap on the chimney area. The unit puts out a lot of heat, and occasionally flames peak out of the top of the unit, so be sure there are no low-hanging branches or other flammable materials in the area.
The Murcia has a mesh spark screen, which helps prevent embers from flying around outside of the firebox.
The Murcia Steel Chiminea can get hot, so be aware of that if there are children around. Some of the welded joints are a bit weak, and care should be taken when using those welded joints. If the joints get banged around too much, they can rust and fail, making the Murcia inoperable.
Keep everything painted with a high-temperature enamel paint or an oven paint to keep the finish protected and ready for more fires.
The Bottom Line
La Hacienda’s Murcia Steel Chimenea is a nice unit, has an attractive design, and works well.
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La Hacienda 56079US Oxidized Corten Steel Circo Chimenea, 49-1/5-Inch
The next entry on this list is the extremely modern looking La Hacienda 56079US Oxidized Corten Steel Circo Chimenea. It is a sculptural, modern piece, guaranteed to draw the eye in any patio or garden environment, and could easily become the centerpiece in a patio or garden design.
The Details
The Circo chiminea is made of a type of oxidized weathered steel known as corten steel, and the finish will slowly change as it ages. If you like the weathered look, it is quite beautiful and a bit unusual compared to the usual enamel painted or clay chimineas. It has a clever wood storage area built into the unit.
The Circo Chimenea is 13″ in diameter, and 50″ tall (that’s 4′ 2″ tall), and is smaller than it looks in the pictures. It needs a flat area to sit on, as it has a flat base, and the narrow diameter means that the fuel logs must be cut to short lengths in order to fit into the unit to be burned.
The construction is solid, and the oxidized finish makes it look naturally rusty and can withstand some weather. It is available in powder coated black, as well. If possible, this unit should be covered when not in use. Excess water in the unit can cause it to rust, so the more you can keep out the water, the better.
This unit is striking and dramatic, though it is small and cannot burn wood pieces that are as large as some of the other units on this list can burn. This extra step of cutting all the wood before it is burned may become a drag, and should be considered when pondering purchasing this unit.
The Bottom Line
The La Hacienda Circo Chiminea is a really cool looking unit. It is guaranteed to get some conversation going at your next party, and that is a nice plus.
Be sure the size is something you can deal with (we would love to see an XL version!), but if it is, you’ll enjoy this chiminea.
- Contemporary modern design
- Integrated log store for added convenience
- Oxidized finish
- Corten steel
- 13-7/10 Inch diameter
Last update on 2024-12-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
La Hacienda 56070US Steel Construction Cuba Chimenea, 13-7/10 by 49-1/5-Inch, Black
The La Hacienda Cuba Chiminea is another stylish, contemporary chiminea. It has a striking truncated pyramid shape and an offset opening for its firebox. It is abstract and sculptural, and is guaranteed to be a conversation piece at your next cookout!
The Details
The Cuba Chimenea is 50″ tall (shorter than you may think based on the photos). The dimensions of the base is 14.5″ square, and the top opening is about 6″ square.
The opening on each side is about 9″ wide x 11″ high and is a bit small to accept full-size chunks of wood.
If you like to buy or cut large pieces of wood, be prepared to saw them in two before inserting into this chiminea.
The Cuba Chimenea is made of steel and comes in two configurations. The first is the enameled black shown here, and the second is a corten steel design that is rust resistant and will wear over time. The black may need to be re-painted after several uses in order to keep it looking clean and fresh and to protect it from getting any rust. There is no cap or grate for this fire pit, but you can probably find some third party grates and caps if you desire.
This unit comes assembled and is pretty easy to use. Just throw in some kindling, some wood, and light it up! It burns very hotly, and the whole structure radiates heat.
This chiminea gets HOT and is not child-friendly.
It should only be used on stone or other heat-resistant material, and only outside, so please be cautious.
The Bottom Line
The La Hacienda Cuba Chimenea is a really cool looking, sculptural chiminea. It works well, supplies a good deal of heat, and with some basic care, will keep you warm for years. It is certainly one of the best chimeneas.
- Ultra-modern shape, contemporary design inspired by garden sculptures
- Radiates heat from all directions
- Finished in high temperature paint
- Steel Construction
- Black color
Last update on 2024-12-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion: The Best Chiminea
All of these units in these chiminea reviews have their positives and negatives, and depending on your needs, each one may be the best chiminea for you. We love the experimentation La Hacienda is doing with some of their designs, but when it comes down to it, the warmth and simplicity, and functionality of the Deckmate Sonora has us swooning.
Last update on 2024-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API