Blue Rooster Chimineas

When shopping for a chiminea, it is possible to become a little overwhelmed. What color, size, material, or manufacturer is the best choice for you? Do you have a spacious backyard or a small patio? Will you use your chiminea frequently or just once in a while? These are issues that should be considered when purchasing any outdoor fireplace unit.

Before a decision can be made, consider the reputation of the company that you will do business with. One great company is the Blue Rooster Company. Based in Minnesota, they are a designer, builder, and manufacturer of high quality outdoor chimineas. They have been in business for over 10 years. With that decade of experience, Blue Rooster takes pride in the solid construction and attention to detail in every chiminea that they manufacture.

Everyone knows that a knock-off is not the same as the real deal. There are products that are made to look similar to those of the Blue Rooster Company. Although their products’ looks may be duplicated by other companies, their manufacturing quality cannot be. If you see a similar design, check to make sure it is a Blue Rooster Company product.

Take for instance the Blue Rooster Grape Chiminea. This is a popular mold and if you are shopping for this design you will see that there are a number of other manufacturers that have a similar chiminea. If you want the Blue Rooster quality, make sure that the Grape Style Chiminea you are considering is indeed made by the Blue Rooster Company.

When you do make that final decision, don’t forget to purchase a fire resistant chiminea pad. They will help protect your deck or patio material from wayward sparks or embers.

Chimineas

Fire has been around since the beginning of mankind, but the outdoor fireplaces in which the fire is contained have progressed a long way from just a shallow hole in the ground. It is all about function and presentation. One great product that has actually been around for hundreds of years, is a chiminea.

These pot-bellied free standing outdoor units were designed to protect the fire from rain. The original chimineas were traditionally made of clay because it was readily available and inexpensive to produce. The clay chimineas can still be found, but the longer life span of aluminum, cast iron, and even copper make these the materials of choice for today. The chiminea was originally used near a window for indoor heating and cooking. Currently chimineas are primarily used outdoors in a backyard setting for entertainment purposes. They are an enjoyable focal point when socializing on chilly evenings.

With its bulbous style and lofty smoke stack, the chiminea is the most unique of all the outdoor fireplaces. It usually radiates heat from one side of the unit only. Also available are more contemporary designs for those who do not care for the traditional look, and even a few styles that can radiate heat all around.

When choosing a chiminea, consider what is most important to you. Keep in mind that the easiest of the chimineas to maintain are the cast aluminum units. They look better longer, are low maintenance, and weigh considerably less than the cast iron units.

The Best Wood to Burn in Your Chiminea

Are you one of the numerous people that have purchased a chiminea for your backyard? Are you wondering what kind of wood to burn in your chiminea? A dry, seasoned hardwood is best. This means the wood should be allowed to dry under a cover for a minimum of 12 months after it has been split and stacked. Normal fireplace logs are too large to accommodate most chimineas so you will either need to cut the logs yourself (and season it) or buy pre-cut wood. A good size range is between 9 and 14 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter. This may vary depending on the size of the chiminea mouth.

Two favorite woods of chiminea owners are pinion pine (also spelled pinyon) and alligator juniper. The most widely used is the pinion pine. It has a pleasant pine aroma which helps to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. It also is easy to light, keeps an active flame, produces good heat, and leaves very little ash to clean up. The alligator juniper has a lovely cedar aroma when burning and has a tendency to crackle and pop. It is easy to light and provides a cheerful fire with very little smoke.

Other woods may be used when grilling. Hickory works well if you want a great smoky bacon flavor for your meat. Mesquite is a natural way to spice up most meats with a strong earthy flavor. It is sweeter and more delicate than hickory.

Remember, the most important factor when purchasing wood for your chiminea is to buy seasoned wood. It will burn cleaner and safer for you and your family.