Home Improvement Information

Chiminea - Buy It for the Versatility of Enjoying Both Fireplace and Grill!





I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of grilled salmon and baked potatoes, done to perfection in their chiminea. The sun was setting and it was cooling down but overall a wonderful summer evening. We wanted to converse and eventually, eat our meal outdoors. The bonus: the chiminea offered us warmth and the smoke kept some of the mosquitoes at bay (some still got us). I must say, as well as being a great evening, that was one of the most delicious pieces of salmon I've ever eaten.

Chimineas date back to 17th century Mexico, where they were used as ovens to bake bread, were for cooking and also a source of heat. The chiminea was usually placed near a window or in the center of the hut to allow smoke to escape. They were made of clay since it was the most readily available material in the area. Today cast iron, copper and cast aluminum are the materials of choice for most chimineas although you can still purchase ones made of clay.

What to consider when choosing a chiminea

Chimineas really are for outdoor use only. If you need a fireplace for indoors this is not a good choice. So where to start? Chimineas are tall and narrow and really make sense if you don't have a large space but want an area for a fire. Don't go too small on the fire area though, or you will be chopping your wood into bite-sized chimenea pieces to fit the opening. If don't need portability you can go heavier and larger. You may also want to choose a model that has a grate that can be added or removed for cooking.

Some of the more popular patio and deck chimineas are made of cast iron. Choose from round, leaf, and designer cast iron chimineas designed for year round use. These cast iron fireplaces are designed to be sturdy and provide long lasting heat retention. Deck, patio and outdoor chimineas store easily and should be covered with a chiminea cover during the off season for protection. Copper and cast aluminum are also popular choices with the latter being the heaviest, most ornate and needing the least maintenance. See: http://www.outdoor-fireplaces-and-patio-heaters.com/chiminea.htm

Another consideration is the type of wood you burn. Best choice is pinon wood or other hardwoods. Pinon has the added advantage of helping to repel mosquitoes. Mesquite is also another option. Definitely stay away from pressure treated woods or anything that has been chemically treated - especially if you are planning to cook on the fire. Once you are ready to use your chiminea, start out with a small fire and build from there. And even if you don't live in the more fire prone regions of the country it is always a good idea to have some water or a fire extinguisher nearby, especially if you are in a small backyard.

Outdoor chiminea fireplaces are great addition for the pool area, garden, deck, or patio where you will be kept warm outside to enjoy the immense pleasures of a fire as well as cooking outdoors with friends or family.

Nicole Martins is a contributing author and publisher to http://www.outdoor-fireplaces-and-patio-heaters.com, an online resource that provides you with information, articles of interest and reviews of the best outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters online.


MORE RESOURCES:

Q&A: Mediabrands' John Ross
Reuters
Before he joined Interpublic Group's Mediabrands in July 2009, he spent 12 years at home improvement giant The Home Depot, including a stint as CMO. ...

and more »


mediabistro.com (blog)

Vanilla Ice's New Calling: Home Improvement!
Entertainment Tonight News
Who knew Vanilla had fifteen years of home-improvement experience under his tool belt? Along the way, he climbs roofs, jumps fences and almost topples a ...
Vanilla Ice's New Calling: Home Improvement!WHIO Dayton

all 10 news articles »


Lowe's 2Q Net Up 9.6% But Sales Growth Light; View Cautious
Wall Street Journal
(LOW) fiscal second-quarter earnings increase 9.6%, though sales disappointed and the home-improvement retailer's results and outlook added evidence that ...
Lowe's Profit Rises 9.6% to $832 MillionNew York Times
Lowe's Reports Second Quarter Sales and Earnings ResultsMarketWatch (press release)
Lowe's Comes In LowForbes
The Associated Press -Automated Trader -Financial Times
all 523 news articles »


MARKETING NEW COMPACT CAR Tim Allen to be voice of crucial GM ads
Detroit Free Press
He also starred in "The Santa Clause" films and TV's "Home Improvement." Even if some don't recognize Allen, his voice is nice enough to carry the ...

and more »


Pamela Anderson is on trading card
ESPN
... on the big screen in absolute classics like "Barb Wire" and "Scary Movie 3" along with small-screen staples like "Home Improvement" and "Baywatch. ...

and more »


Frank Blake is Home Depot's 'calmer-in-chief'
Seattle Times
The gesture didn't cost anything, move the stock price or ease the tough decisions Blake soon started making to downsize the Atlanta-based home-improvement ...

and more »


Home show gives Labor Day home improvement ideas
10 Connects
Tampa, FL -- Florida's Largest Home Show is underway this weekend at the Tampa Convention Center. Whether you're building, remodeling, decorating, ...



ABC News

'Toy Story' star Tim Allen becomes Chevy pitchman
The Associated Press
DETROIT — The star of "Home Improvement" and the "Toy Story" movies is becoming a pitchman for Chevrolet. General Motors Co. says Tim Allen will be a ...
Tim Allen becomes voice of ChevroletThe Detroit News
Movie Star, Car Buff Tim Allen New Voice for ChevyWard's Auto (subscription)
Chevy Cruze ads get BuzzDetroit Free Press
LANewsMonitor.com -MLive.com
all 273 news articles »


Sheffield Lake gets home improvement money from ODOD
The Morning Journal
SHEFFIELD LAKE — A $500000 grant will allow low-income Sheffield Lake residents to make improvements to their homes. ...

and more »


SEO Press Releasesâ„¢ (press release)

Classic Home Improvement Products is your company for Arcadia, California ...
SEO Press Releasesâ„¢ (press release)
Classic Home Improvement Products, Inc. 5538 East La Palma Ave. Anaheim Hills, Ca 92807 Toll Free 866 217 9749 (Corporate Office) Website: www. ...
Artesia, California Retractable Screen Doors & Interior ShuttersSEO Press Releasesâ„¢ (press release)
You can finally stop looking for Screen Doors that are Retractable in Apple ...SEO Press Releasesâ„¢ (press release)

all 3 news articles »

Google News

Home | Site Map | Free Home Improvement information | Free Home Improvement Tips | Remodel Your Home Here | Free Home Improvement information | Home interior decorate
© 2007