What is a chimenea… and how do you spell it!?
A chimenea is an outdoor wood-burning fireplace that originated from Mexico. It is traditionally made of clay or terracotta but is also commonly made from various metals like cast iron, steel, or aluminum.
The second question is more challenging because there are more ways to spell chimenea than I’ve had hot dinners…
Chiminea fire pit
Chimenea is the most used spelling, but there is also chiminea, chiminaya, chiminera, chimania, chimnia, chiminaia, chimea, ciminea, chimera, chininea, chiminaire, chimena, chimenia, chimneia, chiminae, chimalaya, chiminia, chimminea, chinenea, chimanea, chiminiea, chimneria, chimera, and Spanish fire pit – among others!
Because this outdoor fireplace has been used in many different regions for hundreds of years, it has developed many different (but similar) names. The different words come from the Spanish for ‘chimney.’ The design can be traced back at least 400 years, but it likely goes back even further than this.
Back then, it wasn’t commonly used as an outdoor fire to create an atmosphere but for heating and cooking indoors. The chimenea would be placed near a window (for obvious reasons) and then used this way.
Also, when they were used for indoor cooking and heating fires, they were made exclusively from clay. This type would not last as long as today’s modern chiminea models. Clay is prone to cracking from the heat of the fire with extended use, unlike many of the materials used today.
Chimenea design
The design of a chimenea is fairly straightforward.
There is the bulb where you light the fire. Usually, you would put sand down first to help create a bed for the fire, but you don’t have to do this.
Then, the distinct chimney rises directly from the fire bed. As you can imagine, a ton of heat is lost directly through the chimney, but you will also receive a significant amount out the front.
The classic clay and terracotta chimineas do not have any sort of closing door on the front of them. Oxygen can freely enter and feed the fire. Modern metal fires often have grills on the front which can help out a little with safety. The Blue Rooster Company has many examples of this.
Traditional versions often sit in a stand, and setting them on sturdy ground is important. Once the fire is lit, you won’t be able to remove it. The legs or stands of metal chimineas are often part of the fireplace’s body and cannot be removed.
Finally, most chimeneas have Mexican or Spanish-inspired decorations. This is undoubtedly part of the appeal!
Chimeneas uses
This is my clay chiminea—you can see more pics of getting it going in this post on using a chiminea.
Here are the most common uses of a chiminea:
- Outdoor warmth
- To create an atmosphere
- Cooking food
- Garden art or decoration
- For light
- To help keep away mosquitoes
- Roasting marshmallows
Some styles or designs are better suited for chiminea cooking than others, but you’ll always be able to make it work whichever you get.
Some come with grill trays in them, which is something to keep in mind if that’s going to be your primary purpose.
For many, a chimenea is simply a great addition to the deck or courtyard when they’ve got friends around for dinner or drinks. There’s nothing better than an outdoor fireplace to create a wonderful atmosphere.
These fireplaces do not go through much wood to cook a meal or to burn for an evening.
You won’t need a rick of wood on hand to keep it going! Also, they are not only used in the cooler months but are great for use in the summer as well.
Chiminea Tips
Tips for using a chimenea:
- Keep it on a flat surface
- Don’t set it up on flammable surfaces such as wooden decks
- Set it up away from your house
- Keep it in an open area to give the smoke a way to escape
- Depending on your model, fill the bottom with sand
- Have a Chimenea cover to keep the rain out
- Or at least use a cap to cover the chimney
The other big thing is to keep your eye on pets and kids!
The outside of these stoves can also become extremely hot, so you cannot let them be touched once in use.
Chiminea Fireplace
Chimeneas come in all shapes and sizes, are made of a variety of different materials, and can be used for a range of different purposes.
They are popular worldwide now and are not only used in Mexico, Spain, or the US. They are extremely popular in the UK.
You will also find them in other parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and even Asia.
Of course, the chimenea is also quite similar to other outdoor fireplace styles, so sometimes, design features begin to merge a little. Many outdoor wood-burning stoves have a similar design and function to the chimenea.
Nevertheless, there isn’t anything exactly like this Spanish and Mexican-inspired fireplace. At the end of the day, it is unique and makes a great addition to any outdoor space.
If you’ve been using a chimenea for some time now, let us know in the comments below what your favorite use is.
Do you cook with it or use it as a design feature or heat generator?
Never heard of these but now I feel like I have to have one!
I know what you mean Jen. Chimeneas are great, especially when you’ve got friends over and are having a few beers on a cool night!