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Looking to buy a clay or cast iron chiminea patio heater cum barbecue online? Here at UK Gardening Supplies we are always on the lookout for discount and cheap chimineas and metallic chiminea heaters which double as outdoor chiminea BBQs and outdoor cooking grills from reputable online home and garden stores.
 | Steel Chiminea
A modern take on the old faithful cast iron variety this new Chiminea is made using a mixture of both lightweight steel and durable cast iron....more
From: £99.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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 | Medium Chiminea Cover
This is the best thing to happen to your Chiminea for a long time its very own protector cover....more
From: £9.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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 | Large Cast Iron Open Bowl Chiminea
This larger copper coloured cast iron chiminea will give a lovely glow to any garden or patio area....more
From: £169.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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 | Tall Chiminea 1.75m
Heat your garden after barbecuing with this heavy duty cast iron chiminea...more
From: £119.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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 | Cast Iron Chiminea with Flue
Heat your garden right into the evening with this cast iron chiminea also suitable for barbecuing....more
From: £119.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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| Cast Iron Chiminea with Flue
Heat your garden right into the evening with this cast iron chiminea also suitable for barbecuing....more
From: £119.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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 | Cast Chiminea 150cm
Keep the party going well into the evening with this great value chiminea....more
From: £119.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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| Cast Iron Chiminea with Flue
Heat your garden right into the evening with this cast iron chiminea also suitable for barbecuing....more
From: £119.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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 | Medium Cast Iron Open Bowl Chiminea
A beautiful copper coloured chiminea with wire mesh round the outside allowing you to gaze in to the lovely glow within....more
From: £119.00 Source: Greenfingers Trading Ltd
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All About Chimineas - History and Buying Advice
Chimenea History and Origins of Chimineas
The outdoor fireplace cum patio heater we refer to as a chiminea originally came from Mexico sometime around the 17th century and perhaps many hundreds of years previous to that. These large, and now often ornate ovens were originally made from clay and designed in such a way that they would provide both a cooking oven and outdoor heater which would be protected from the rain and therefore keep burning in less favourable conditions with just a few sticks for fuel. When the clay cracked or melted into sludge after rainfall, they would simply scoop up some more and make another. These days, terracotta chimineas and clay chimineas are available to buy in the UK as are their more hardy brethren the cast iron chimineas, aluminium and copper chimineas.
Which Chiminea Material Is Best?
Clay Chimineas: Clay is the traditional material the original Mexican style chimeneas were made from and give your garden patio area a very rustic look. Well made clay chiminea patio heaters are kiln-dried and treated and made from industrial clay to withstand high temperatures and resist cracking and water damage. Clay chimineas are realistically meant for light cooking and more decorative purposes and to ensure their longevity are not meant to be lit for extended periods and must be protected against rain and water damage. You do not want a clay chiminea sitting in a puddle of water or being saturated with rainwater no matter how well made it is. Clay chiminea grills are idea for cooking in as a barbeque alternative and also provide a little heat for those late night soirees under the stars. Cast iron chimineas give off much more heat however so if heating is your main desire then opt for one of those instead.
Cheap clay chiminea heaters are available but when all is said and done, a clay or terracotta chiminea is simply fired mud so you are well advise to steer clear of the false economy which comes from buying cheap chimineas if clay is your material of choice. The typical British weather doesn't look too kindly upon cheaply built mud structures and unless you take very good care of them, cheap chimineas made from clay or teracotta stand a very good chance of reverting back to their natural state during rainfall (in other words, a mud pie on your patio) and may split and crack under extremes of hot and cold. This was of course no problem for the Mexicans who would simply build a new one but you will undoubtedly want more for your money. Terracotta chimineas are ideal for the mediterranean climate but again, do not stand up to well to the more extreme temperatures and wetter climate of Great Britain.
Cast Iron Chimineas: The major alternative and more popular choice over the clay chimenea is the cast iron or cast aluminium chiminea heater and grills. Cast iron chimineas are much less likely to crack, are frost-proof and can take the more inclement weather and fluctuating hot/cold temperatures we are used to. Cast iron outdoor chiminea heaters radiate a substantial amount of heat which makes them ideal for the dual purpose of patio heater and outdoor oven for barbecuing and baking. Iron will rust however, but good garden chiminea manufacturers will ensure their products are coated in a heat and rust resistant paint. Calfire chimineas for example use StoveBright and are highly recommended as one of the best chiminea manufacturers in the UK. When rust spots do start to appear as is inevitable with any metal product, simply sand it off and paint over the area and you should get many years of enjoyment out of a cast iron chiminea.
Cast Aluminium Chimineas: are an easy maintenance alternative offering many of the benefits of a cast iron chiminea with the added bonus of not having to put in the maintenance work to keep them in good order. Cast aluminium chimineas are also much lighter so if you want to put yours into storage throughout the winter than it's not a herculean effort to move it. Equally, positioning the chiminea so the wind does not blow smoke into your face becomes much easier with a cast aluminum chiminea.
Other Metals: You may also come across copper and sheet metal chimineas. Copper is a tried and tested material in the kitchen and a chiminea made from copper takes all the same benefits of good conductance, long life and easy maintenance. However, copper corrodes and will stain concrete and decking areas and will not retain its original shop floor appearance for long. Sheet metal is only as good as its thickness. Once it rusts through, it has lost its usefulness and if thin enough, may melt if too hot.
The amount of heat a metal chiminea radiates is what makes them so perfect for patio heating however, it does mean they become very hot to touch and remain so for some time after the fire has been extinguished. Mexican fireplaces should be treated like any other fireplace and if you have small children and animals playing in the garden extra caution should be taken. Chiminea screens are available which surround the base area and afford some protection.
Chiminea Barbecues and Outdoor Cooking Ovens
The original usage of the chimenea in its native Mexico was an outdoor stove or bread oven, with the word 'chiminea' itself being derived from the Spanish word 'chimenea' which literally means fireplace or hearth. Chimineas are therefore ideal for outdoor cooking doubling up as a garden patio heater and chiminea barbecue grill all in one. On a cool summer evening you can rustle up a meal in your chiminea oven and then sit back and enjoy it whilst the heat from the chiminea keep the chill out of the air. Cast iron chimineas retain their heat for some after the fire is extinguished and are ideal for uses such as this.
General Chiminea Buying Advice
Aside from the consideration on whether to buy a clay, cast iron, aluminium or other tpye of Mexican oven, there are a few other things to consider. The size of the chiminea fire bowl and open front aperture is important as this determines how much of the roaring fire you see and how much firewood the chimnea can hold. The larger the fire bowl the better. You are advised to also look out for a spark screen for both the chimney and from of the firebowl as well. Spark arresters keep sparks and hot ash inside the chiminea whcih means peace of mind for you.
If you are intending to use your Mexican fireplace as a chiminea BBQ then ensure your choice comes with an internal grill. A removable grill is even better as this makes it easier when you want to use your chiminia as a patio heater only. You also might like to look into the various chiminea accessories out there as well such as waterproof chiminea covers to protect against rain and chiminea guards which add a protective mesh screen which is an added layer of safety where children and animals are around. Chimney caps stop the chiminea filling with water when it rains if you would rather that than a cover.
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