Wednesday, December 03, 2008

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.

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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

San Simeon Outdoor Fire Pit Table Review

The latest trend in home décor is utilizing the space right outside your back door- specifically with the use of outdoor fireplaces. These can be as simple as common wood burning fire pits or as grand as full scale fireplaces. Outdoor fire pit tables offer a consumer a wide variety of ways to enjoy their time in their very own backyard. Many come with options of grill, ice bucket, and removable center inserts. For those who want something different from the standard log system, fire glass crystals may be available for the look of a glowing jeweled fire.

One such table is the San Simeon Outdoor Fire Pit Table. This table comes standard with a 1.25” thick granite table top and powder coat finish base. The weather resistant, easy to maintain 48” round table top is available in three color choices- pebble, sea green, and sunset gold. The sturdy base keeps the table level with no sagging. The color options of chocolate brown, sage, black, and adobe are in a powder coated finish which ensures a long, tarnish-free life of the base. Individualize the purchase by choosing a color combination that will complement your outdoor home decor.

The San Simeon Outdoor Fire Pit Table can be used with natural gas or liquid propane. It comes standard with gas logs and a stainless steel burner. This table can be customized with the optional features when ordering. Along with a stainless steel grill, stainless steel ice bucket, fire glass crystals, and removable center insert, is the option to purchase a vinyl insulated cover. To further preserve the original beauty of the granite top, a customer care package is included, which provides information on periodic cleaning.

This table is one of the nicest looking outdoor fire pit tables on the market. It comes with simple step-by-step instructions for easy set up and a one year warranty. So sit around a dancing fire as you enjoy a beautiful night of relaxation or a pleasant evening socializing with friends and family.

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Monday, December 01, 2008

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.

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Outdoor Fireplace Options

What could be better than spending time with family or friends on a warm summer night? Remembering those past adventures you shared together, laughing about all the crazy things you have done, and sharing new memories in the making. That is one of the best parts about summer, right?

Almost everyone has at least one great memory of sitting around a campfire at some point in their life. These days almost anyone can relive those wonderful memories right in their own backyard. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and fire pit tables are great ways to add enjoyment to your backyard party or quiet evening alone. Whether you invite the whole gang for a get-together or enjoy a romantic evening star gazing, your outdoor fire will help enhance the evening.

Outdoor fireplaces also extend your outdoor season by allowing you to enjoy your yard and patio long into the fall and winter months. This is especially good if you live in a climate with shorter summers. When the days grow shorter as the sun sets earlier, get more time outside by utilizing an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. A cool crisp evening with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled cider can be invigorating. Bring out the kid in you by roasting marshmallows and making s’mores!

These backyard fireplaces can be as simple as freestanding outdoor fire pit tables and as elaborate as full scale outdoor fireplaces. There is a wide variety of styles and price ranges to select from. Outdoor fireplaces are similar to indoor fireplaces with the heat radiating out from one side, whereas outdoor fire pits radiate heat all around. The possible hazards of an open fire are obvious. Use precautions to ensure your fire is not putting any structures at risk. No matter what kind of unit you decide to purchase, always check with your local building and fire inspector for town requirements.

Whether you want the ability to cook your meal or you just want to feel the warmth of a fire, there is something for everyone. Don’t be confined to using your outdoor space only during traditional warm weather, increase you enjoyment by using it all year round with an outdoor fireplace or outdoor fire pit.

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MIrage Stone Outdoor Fireplaces

Outdoor fireplaces are quickly becoming a backyard staple for many homeowners. Enjoying the warm summer nights and extending time outside during cooler months is a more frequent occurrence thanks to various outdoor fireplace units. They can do much more than provide you with just a glowing fire. Many offer a BBQ grill as a standard or optional accessory.

One such fireplace is the Mirage Stone Outdoor Fireplace. This fireplace features an interlocking construction that allows for quick and easy assembly. In about an hour, you can assemble your unit without the need of mortar or metal fasteners. The only tool you need is a level.

Using new technology in material sciences, this fireplace is comprised of strong, heat-dissipating stone that avoids the problems usually associated with concrete and cement-type mixes when they are exposed to extreme temperatures. The standard burn choice of wood or charcoal comes with a BBQ grill with adjustable height, while the optional gas log set is available for natural or propane gas. Included in the complete set are 18" gas logs, gas pipe, gas line connector, safety pilot valve, valve key, ashes, sand, and lava rock. When purchasing a gas burning unit, remember that the installation of a natural gas line requires a licensed mechanical contractor in most states.

The various color choices of this durable outdoor unit are pewter, red, sandstone, tan, taupe, and black/gray or gray/black combo- giving plenty of selection for creating a beautiful addition to your backyard living area. The powder coated steel door system ensures a long lasting finish without cracking, chipping or peeling. Along with the standard style door handle, are four decorative screen handle options available in - cactus, horses, trees, and birds.

This unit is also available as the Mirage Stone See-Through Outdoor Fireplace with all four sides being open. It has one other color option to choose from as well. Either of these outdoor fireplaces are a great choice to enhance your freedom of the great outdoors.

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Grand Kingston Outdoor Fireplace

Outdoor fireplaces are rapidly gaining popularity as great exterior decorative elements. On cool evenings, they make a wonderful gathering place for conversation and relaxation. One great unit is the Grand Kingston Outdoor Fireplace. The name suits perfectly since this is a beautiful and very grand looking unit.

The 7 prefabricated sections can easily be installed by as little as two people simply by stacking and bolting the pieces together. The firebox is constructed of high-temperature refractory cement, and the body of this unit is made of glass-fiber reinforced concrete. GFRC allows for a lighter weight than traditional cement units. However, with the overall size of 84" height x 113" width x 36" deep, this unit still weighs almost a ton - literally! GFRC is extremely moisture resistant and fire resistant. It also has low maintenance requirements.

The Grand Kingston Outdoor Fireplace has two fuel options of liquid propane or natural gas. This unit comes plumbed for gas but does not include hook-up or gas logs. The key placement for gas turn-on can be chosen for the left or right side. The gas source line options are accessible underneath or in the back of the unit.

With 7 different neutral colors to choose from, it should be easy to find a color to compliment any outdoor setting. This unit will add a beautiful and vibrant focal point to your open-air living room. You will want to make sure to position your unit in a well ventilated area away from any combustible materials, and to make sure to check with any local codes your area may have.
Outdoor fireplace units generally have about the same shipping time; however, this unit has a processing time of 4-5 weeks. That may seem like an eternity, but it will be worth the wait.

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