Many people are turning to a chiminea outdoor fireplace to extend the time spent in the back yard. This device is more than a grill or an outdoor oven. It is typically made as an upright device that is either stationary or portable. Most models will burn wood and some will also burn charcoal. Some models even come with a gas burning kit.
This type of outdoor stove can come in many shapes. The most common is a conical shape that comes to a point at the top. There are some versions with a rounded top and stationary models with a squared top. Devices can be made of steel with a wire grate in the front or entirely circling the middle. A few models are made in solid copper. Other models are made of stone and provide access and an open are from the front only.
The device is more than a fireplace and can double as a grill for smaller items like marshmallows and hot dogs. It is the aesthetic value that homeowners enjoy most of all. It is a much safer device than a fire ring for families with small children. The grate typically prevents anyone from coming into contact with the fire itself. Some models come with an optional grilling insert that can be used when the top of the oven is removed.
A chiminea outdoor fireplace is great for entertaining, celebrating, or simply relaxing in the back yard. Though the device will cost more than a typical fire ring or a high end charcoal grill it can be used year round in many instances. Prices will range from $100 to $200 for steel models. The copper models will cost a little more. The higher priced items are usually the terracotta models.
Those who want to eliminate much of the expense and are handy at creating things from raw materials can find plenty of plans available. Some call for a combination of cement and heavy gauge chicken wire for the base and a flue pipe for the vent. Others will show you how to make the device from an old steel barrel. A simpler version requires plenty of bricks that are gradually tapered to form the top vent, a steel baking rack or something similar, and a solid stand for the base that is heat resistant.
There is no limit to the amount of use an outdoor fireplace can withstand, if it is designed for the high temperatures. If you intend to buy the stove compare construction materials above all else to find a model that will last for years.