Buying a chiminea comes with the obvious question of, which is the best chiminea clay or cast iron? Well, the direct answer is that both chimeneas offer their brighter parts and your choice depends on the merits that please you. We took time to find the qualities and limitations of each, we also have reviewed the best of the two worlds.
Which Is the Best Chiminea Clay or Cast Iron?
Cast iron chimineas have come with many great features compared to clay chimenea, but this is not to say that clay chimeneas are obsolete. The best feature that cast iron chiminea offers is the ability to withstand any heat without preparation. For a cast iron chimenea, you can use coal, charcoal, and even big logs instantly without the risk of cracking the unit. However, for clay chimneys, you have to first curl to avoid cracking.
On the aesthetics part, the clay chimeneas are the best. Clay chimneys look better than cast iron chimineas and seem to match with other clay containers and flower pots in your backyard. Another advantage of cast iron chimineas is that they can be used for cooking since they can stand the heat from coal and charcoal.
One disadvantage with sat iron chimineas is that they are susceptible to rust. The high temperatures reduce the effectiveness of the outer rust-proof coating to expose the chimenea to rusting. This can be prevented by applying high heat resistant paint on the chimenea.
| Product Image | Product Title | Ratings | No of Reviews | Check the Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pits Chimenea Outdoor Fireplace Wooden Firepit, Brown-Black | Check price | ||
 | Deckmate Sonora Outdoor Chimenea Fireplace Model 30199 | Check price | ||
 | Esschert Design FF109 Small Terrace Heater | Check price | ||
 | Deckmate Corona 3 Ft. High Outdoor Steel Chimenea Fireplace Model 28063 | Check price | ||
 | Outdoor Clay Chiminea Fire Pit Overall Size 34.2 inch Tall - Patio Handcrafted Chimenea, Backyard Fireplace with Cover Lid, Rustic Ceramic Chimney | Check price |
1. BALI OUTDOORS
Warm-up your outdoor space with the Bali outdoor chimenea. You won’t regret going for this sturdy long-lasting steel and cast iron chimenea. This model allows for 360° access to the heat so that no one misses out.
It uses logs and can take up to 16 inches of log comfortably. The good thing is that you can add logs when burning using the wide door that only requires you to slide the handles. Burning is even and good with the two-piece log grate. It allows air to freely flow in the chimenea providing enough oxygen for burning.
The included cast iron legs ensure the durability and stability of the unit. A stable unit assures you of your security as Bali does. With an intuitive round roof, the smoke is directed upwards and shall never reach you and your visitors. There is also included a cap to ensure that your unit is protected from weather elements such as rain. Overall, this unit looks compact and aesthetically appealing. Let it warm and improve the look of your backyard to make the cold evenings fade.
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- Cast iron legs
- Includes a cover lid
- Offers 360° fire access
- Two pieces log grate for even burning
- The cast iron legs are susceptible to rust.
2. Deckmate Sonora
This is a compact steady chiminea made from durable cast iron. Deckmate Sonora is made to last with a high-temperature resistant finish which makes it rust-proof. This model allows for a 360° view of the fire and the feel of heat. Therefore, everyone around this chimenea gets to enjoy the warm evening compared to the chimeneas with a single opening.
Cleaning up a chiminea has never been easy like it is with the aid of the included ash catcher, all you need is to withdraw it, dump the ash and return. This chimenea has a large door opening with a sliding door, once the wood burns out, you only need to slide it open and add more wood.
It is designed to burn artificial logs and wood. The included log grate holds the wood and allows for enough air circulation within the chimenea mask ng the wood burns evenly. There is a lid to cover the chimenea when not in use. The top opening allows and directs smoke to escape in an upward direction saving you from the choking smoke.
- Made of durable cast iron
- Coated with high-temperature proof paint
- Allows for 360° access of the heat
- Includes an ash catcher
- Previous buyers complain of a poorly designed chimney and a fast braking grate.
3. Esschert Design FF109
If you’re on a budget and need a quality chimenea then Esschert Design FF109 is the model for you. As much as the 360° heat access is great, such units tend to let some smoke escape through the sides. Still, the chimeneas with a mesh do not resemble or represent the originality of chimeneas and aren’t solid.
This small affordable chimenea is compact and has a single opening like the traditional chimeneas. It has a round-shaped opening at the top that gets all the smoke out and upwards. In fact with this chimenea, you shall not have any smoke coming out from the fire access opening.
This chimenea has ventilation holes that allow enough air to come in thereby providing enough oxygen for even burning. There is a lid to cover the chimenea and prevent it from weather elements. When you need an affordable, compact cast iron chimenea, this is the model to go for.
- Solid and compact
- Included a lead for the top opening
- Durable cast iron material
- The well-shaped top opening gets smoke out and upwards
- This model is small and has a short neck that gets the fire out in case you put too much wood. It is great that you add a single piece of wood at a time.
4. Deckmate Corona
Decimate chimenea is made strong and sturdy to last. The cast iron material guarantees that your chimenea shall age with you. This model has a large door that only needs you to slide in order to open. It can contain 16-inch logs to give comfortable heat in the cold. This model gives 360° access to heat thereby accommodating more people.
The flue-shaped mouth forests smoke upwards preventing the irritating smoke from disturbing your comfort. This model comes with a lid to cover the top preventing the inside of the chimenea from weather elements. The included steel grate allows for even circulation of air for even burning of the logs and therefore less smoke and more heat.
- Flue shaped mouth directs smoke upwards
- Offers 360 degrees access to heat
- Has a lid
- Comes with a steel grate
- Previous buyers have complained of the grate breaking early.
5. Sparkle Stone
When you need to spice up the beauty of your back yard and still enjoy warm evenings, this is the clay chimenea to go for. The stone grey color shall match with some of your flower pots. This model is made of high-quality natural clay and comes with a lid to prevent the chimenea from weather elements. It has a very high heat resistance of up to 1112° F which guarantees its lasting ability.
This chimenea is designed with a wide bowl allowing for space to put enough logs to give better heat. It comes with a separate stand that makes it easily portable. Setting up this unit is as easy as stabilizing the tabs then placing them on top of the stand. You do not have to worry about flying sparks reaching you as the large bowel contains them outside. If you love the original make of a clay chiminea, this is the best for you.
- High heat resistance
- Large bowl
- Aesthetically appealing
- Easy to assemble
- This is a clay chiminea, it shall need extra care to avoid cracking.
Best Chiminea Clay or Cast Iron? Buying Guide
To enable you to choose the best chiminea clay or cast iron, we prepared this precisely detailed buying guide. Consider the below factors when shopping online or offline.
Type of wood you plan to use
Most of the chimeneas use any wood, however, each has a recommended type of wood to be used. It is important to check which wood is recommended and decide whether you have it around or can force it. The common wood used are logs, artificial logs, charcoal, and wood pallets.
The construction and build type
As mentioned earlier, different chimeneas differ in terms of the material used and the construction. Some chimneys allow for 360° access to heat while others have a single opening. If you are ready to take enough care of clay chimeneas, then you can opt for one. However, if you do not have the time to prepare and care for the clay chimeneas, you can go for cast iron or steel chimeneas.
Clay chimineas are better when you want to have some classical looking aspects in your backyard and as said earlier, they tend to match with the rest of the decorations in your backyard, especially the clay flower holders.
Conclusion
So, which is the best chiminea clay or cast iron? As you realize, both have their brighter side. If you enjoy having the classic clay chimenea in your backyard, you shall get that better aesthetic experience. Clay chimenea also saves energy and works perfectly if taken care of well.
On the other hand, cast iron chimineas work well when it comes to flexibility on the material to burn and heat resistance. You also don’t have to worry about cracking when using a quality cast iron chiminea such as the Bali outdoors chiminea.
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Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API