End of Summer Chimineas Super Sale!

Why Have Chimineas Become So Popular?

Chimineas are quickly becoming one of the most popular backyard patio pieces on the market. Why? Because they serve so many different purposes...

• Chimineas are beautiful patio decor pieces. - Whether you're looking for a stunning centerpiece for your patio or just a decorative accent item to add to your existing decor, you can't go wrong with a chiminea. They look classy enough while unlit, but chimineas really steal the show once the flames start crackling and dancing.

• Chimineas are a safe alternative to open firepits. - In addition to looking good, chimineas also provide warmth on chilly evenings when you really want to be outside. And because chimineas contain the flame and leave behind much less ash, they are much safer than open firepits. As an added bonus, there's no need to worry about which direction the wind is blowing since chimineas funnel the smoke upward and away from those sitting around it.

• Chimineas can be used for burning aromatic wood. - Looking for a sure-fire way (no pun intended) to create the perfect ambiance for your backyard party, reception or get-together? Simply burn some aromatic wood in your chiminea, and your guests are sure to feel cozy and right at home.

• Many chimineas can be used for cooking. - Many of the chimineas we offer can "double" as outdoor ovens. Check out these cooking chimineas if you're looking to do some traditional chiminea cooking.

• Chimineas are portable. - In addition to enjoying your chiminea at home, you can easily throw it in your truck, trailer or SUV and take it with you to the campsite, the beach or even a tailgate party. You can enjoy the crackling flames, soothing smells and reinvigorating warmth of your chiminea anytime, anywhere!

It's no wonder many of today's top home and garden experts and patio designers are choosing chimineas as their "go-to" patio accent piece.

How Do Chimineas Work?

The shape and design of a well-crafted chiminea creates what is called a "draughting action." Fresh air is drawn into the chiminea from the large hole on the side of the chiminea, and the smoke from the flames is pushed upward and escapes through the funnel/hole at the top of the chiminea. The unique design makes the fire burn both cleaner and hotter, and the fire leaves behind much less ash than a traditional open-pit fire.

What Type of Wood or Fuel Should You Use in Chimineas?

Wood. Wood is the most popular fuel for chimineas, especially for clay chimineas. You can burn almost any type of firewood in a chiminea, including both wood you gather or chop down as well as bundles of wood you can purchase at a local home and garden store, hardware store or superstore. Aromatic wood is extremely popular with chiminea owners, as it emits a pleasant, soothing aroma as the wood is burned. Make sure the wood is as dry as possible, since wet (or green) wood generates a lot of smoke.

If you opt for a more traditional, authentic clay chiminea, make sure to fill the bottom of the chiminea with sand, lava stones or pea stone in order to create a barrier between the chiminea's base and the burning flame and ash, since excessive direct heat can cause the clay to become brittle and crack over time.

You should avoid using pressure-treated wood, as it may emit dangerous toxic gases.

Charcoal. Charcoal is a great fuel to use for cast iron chimineas, especially if you plan to use your chiminea for cooking. This is because, unlike wood, charcoal doesn't transfer any taste to the meat or other food being cooked on the chiminea. (If you do use wood as the fuel for a cooking chiminea, you should wrap or cover the food in aluminum foil to prevent the food from acquiring a not-so-appetizing flavor from the wood.)

Since charcoal burns quite a bit hotter than wood, charcoal isn't recommended for clay chimineas since the hot temperatures could damage them. Cast iron chimineas can handle the higher temperatures just fine, though.

Ethanol. You can also use liquid ethanol as fuel for a chiminea, but you obviously don't want to just pour the ethanol directly into the chiminea. Instead, you'll want to carefully pour the ethanol into a small metal can and then insert that can into the chiminea (ensuring that it is secure and won't tip over) and then light it with a long match or a long-nosed lighter. One advantage of ethanol over wood or charcoal is that ethanol doesn't produce any smoke as it burns. Just be very careful when handling and using ethanol, as it is an extremely flammable liquid.

History of Chimineas

A lot of people mistakenly think chimineas originated in Mexico, but they were actually invented and first used in Spain just over 400 years ago. Originally, chimineas were used primarily for heating and cooking purposes, and the first chimineas were all made out of fired clay. (It wasn't until much later that cast iron and cast aluminum chimineas began to appear.) Chimineas were primary used indoors and placed near an open window or in the center of a hut or home directly below an opening that would allow the smoke to escape.

Today, chimineas are primarily used as decorative pieces in the back yard or on the back patio, though they do still provide warmth on chilly evenings (and some can be used for cooking as well). While chimineas originated in Spain, most of the styles and designs you'll see have Mexican themes and influences, since chimineas were widely used and made popular in Mexico after Spaniards colonized Mexico.

Why Shop at Chimineas Inc?

We'll give you 5 good reasons...

1. Huge Selection of Chimineas - A lot of retail stores (including both brick-and-mortar stores and online stores) offer just a small handful of chimineas in their 'Patio' section or category. But here at Chimineas Inc, we're all about chimineas! We offer hundreds of chimineas of all shapes, sizes, colors, designs and styles, making it easy to find the perfect chiminea for your patio or garden.

2. Guaranteed Lowest Prices - We compare the prices of our chimineas to that of our competitors daily to ensure that we're offering the absolute lowest prices on the web. But if we've overlooked something and you find a better price for one of our chimineas, we'll not only match it but we'll beat it by $10. Click here for more details.

3. Fast, Free Shipping to Mainland USA - While other chiminea retailers tack on a huge amount for shipping right at the end of the checkout process, we offer free shipping on every chiminea we carry. The price you see on the product page is the price you'll pay... period. After you've placed your order, we'll ship your chiminea out as soon as possible (usually within 1-2 business days) and keep in close contact with you to update you on the order status and provide tracking information for the shipment.

4. Safe & Secure Checkout - We want to do everything we can to ensure a pleasant shopping experience for you. We know that privacy and security are important to that experience, which is why we use SSL encryption to protect your personal and financial information during the checkout process. (Note: If you're not comfortable placing your order online, you can place your order over the phone by calling 800-430-1690.) We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) as well as PayPal.

5. Top-Notch Customer Service - For us, chimineas aren't just an "afterthought" we've decided to add to our catalog to generate a few more sales. We love chimineas! If you have any questions about a chiminea you have your eye on or need help finding the perfect chiminea, please don't hesitate to call us (800-430-1690) or start up a live chat. We'll be more than happy to assist you.