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Although built-in fireplaces have distinct advantages, chimineas offer radiant heat in a more affordable and portable manner. We carefully researched more than 25 different chimineas and then chose four for testing in our own yards and homes. We found a favorite too; the Blue Rooster Sun Fire chiminea offers radiant heat, safety features, and a convenient small grate that’s ideal for outdoor grilling.
In addition to those we tested, we selected three more models that caught our attention thanks to their build quality, design, and potential for outdoor heating. Keep reading to find out how each of the tested models fared (both pros and cons), and to learn more about what to expect from the best chimineas.
- BEST OVERALL: Blue Rooster Sun Fire Chiminea
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bali Outdoors Chiminea
↓ Jump to Review - BEST METAL: Sunnydaze Rustic Wood-Burning Chiminea
↓ Jump to Review - BEST INDOOR/OUTDOOR: Solo Stove TerraFlame Lloyd Gel Fuel Fireplace
↓ Jump to Review - BEST MODERN: Kelly Clarkson Home Steel Wood-Burning Chiminea
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL SPACES: RediFlame Chiminea Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE SPACES: Kay Home Products Deckmate Sonora Chiminea
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 4 |
| Time spent testing | 20 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $157 to $700 |
Our Top Picks
On cool evenings, it’s hard to beat the soothing warmth of a chiminea. While three of the models we tested are strictly for outdoor use, we also tried out a gel fuel model that can be used indoors or outdoors. Here are our top picks for some of the best chimineas on the market today.
Best Overall
Blue Rooster Sun Fire Chiminea
Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Build Quality 4.8/5; Heat Output 4.5/5; Portability 4.8/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Wood
- Material: Cast aluminum
- Weight: 48 pounds
What We Like
- Quick and easy assembly
- Radiates warmth in all directions
- Attractive design adds a focal point
- Small cooking grate
What We Don’t Like
- Cast aluminum chiminea cools down quickly
The Blue Rooster Sun Fire chiminea offers everything we were looking for in an outdoor chiminea. It was easy to assemble, only taking about 10 minutes, and it’s compact enough (44 inches tall by 18 inches in diameter) to fit in even small backyard spaces. While it weighs 48 pounds, the stack is removable, and the fire bowl base comes with handles, so it’s fairly portable.
After putting the Sun Fire together, we loaded it up with hardwood and lit the fire. The front door grill and a spark arrester at the top of the stack kept burning embers from popping out. This was helpful, as we were testing during a dry season when the risk of fire was high.
We noted how much warmth the Sun Fire radiated when the wood was fully engulfed. We found it heated the surrounding area nicely to about 5 feet away. Since the fire bowl is on the small side, we frequently added wood to keep the fire going, although you could also use a longer-burning fire log. For our last test, we removed the stack and used the small grate on top of the fire bowl to grill hot dogs. This worked well, but since the grate is just 9 inches in diameter, the Sun Fire is not designed to be a chiminea for cooking large meals.
Overall, the Sun Fire is a durable, well-made little outdoor chiminea that works well for heating or cooking up a small meal.
What our tester says: “I love this compact chiminea! I fired it up when guests came over and everyone gathered around to toast marshmallows over the little grate. What a great addition to my patio.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Blue Rooster chiminea at Amazon or Blue Rooster.
Best Bang for the Buck
Bali Outdoors Chiminea
Our Ratings: Assembly 4/5; Build Quality 4.3/5; Heat Output 5/5; Portability 4.5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Wood
- Material: Steel and cast iron
- Weight: 40 pounds
What We Like
- Delivers plenty of all-around heat
- Built-in ash pan for easy cleaning
- Convenient sliding door
What We Don’t Like
- No wind protection
Adding a little supplemental heat to outdoor gatherings need not be expensive. The wood-burning Bali Outdoors chiminea combines a traditional fire pit and a chiminea by retaining the former’s open nature and the latter’s chimney design. Best of all, it comes at an attractive price point.
We liked its open-mesh cage because we could see the flames from any angle. However, the cage’s open weave does not protect the flames from breezes, so we had difficulty lighting the wood when the wind was blowing. We believe this model would be better suited for those who live in areas with very little wind.
That said, it produces a lot of heat in all directions, and we could feel it anytime we came within 5 feet of the chiminea. That’s likely due to the combination of the open-mesh fire pit, which lets in lots of air so the wood burns fast and hot, along with an ample fire bowl that can hold more wood than our top pick, the Sun Fire.
The Bali Outdoors chiminea’s steel and cast-iron construction is durable, but it’s still relatively easy to move at 40 pounds. Assembly took longer with this model than the others we tested (about 30 minutes); however, that’s because there were a lot of small pieces to attach. For the price, though, you can’t beat the ambience provided by Bali’s open-mesh fire bowl.
Get the Bali Outdoors chiminea at Amazon.
Best Metal
Sunnydaze Rustic Wood-Burning Chiminea
Our Ratings: Assembly 4/5; Build Quality 4.5/5; Heat Output 4.5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Wood
- Material: Steel
- Weight: 38 pounds
What We Like
- Adds rustic charm
- Effective smoke control
- Good heat radiation
What We Don’t Like
- Oxidation (rust) brushes off on clothing
Whether you call it rustic or rusty, the Sunnydaze chiminea is a striking feature in the yard or landscape. It was easy enough to assemble, but we got a substantial amount of rust on our hands and clothing. For that reason, we’d recommend wearing old clothes and gloves when putting it together.
The feel is vintage, and the look is charming. One of the best things about this large chiminea is the 70-inch-high stack that directs smoke upward, preventing it from blowing in guests’ faces. No one wants to go home smelling like a bonfire, but we did catch occasional whiffs of smoke on our clothes with the other two wood-burning chimineas we tested. There was none of that with this one.
The Sunnydaze chiminea radiated warmth nicely, up to about 3 to 4 feet from its base. However, we noticed more heat radiated from the bottom of the chiminea than the top, possibly due to its narrow design near the top.
This is a great chiminea for creating a cozy retreat with a hint of old-world charm. While it looks aged, it’s built to deliver soothing warmth in a subdued way. No bells and whistles with this one, but we found it perfect for evenings spent relaxing with good friends and family.
Get the Sunnydaze chiminea at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Indoor/Outdoor
Solo Stove TerraFlame Lloyd Gel Fuel Fireplace
Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Build Quality 4.8/5; Heat Output 4/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Gel fuel cans
- Material: Electroplated steel, metal, glass
- Weight: 31 pounds
What We Like
- Quick, easy assembly
- Sleek, modern design
- Clean-burning gel fuel
- Indoor or outdoor use
What We Don’t Like
- Limited heat output
If you’re looking for something more versatile than a traditional chiminea, check out the TerraFlame gel fuel fireplace that can be used indoors or outdoors. Rather than wood, it uses gel fuel cans to generate heat and ambience.
We tested the TerraFlame in the corner of our master bedroom, then moved it to a covered porch and tested again. During the indoor test, we used an air-quality monitor to make sure the gel fuel wasn’t emitting toxic fumes; it wasn’t. The gel burned clean, but we did see a slight increase in humidity in the room, which we expected since fire produces a small amount of water vapor as a byproduct.
The Solo Stove TerraFlame doesn’t produce as much intense heat as a wood-burning chiminea, but it does heat the surrounding area. After we let the gel fuel cans burn for 2.5 hours, the room temperature increased by 11 degrees Fahrenheit.
This smokeless chiminea is the ultimate in creating ambience. Not only does it radiate gentle heat, but it also provides real flames that actually crackle. This compact indoor/outdoor chiminea has a midcentury modern flair that will complement any home style.
Get the Solo Stove chiminea at Amazon or Solo Stove.
More Great Options
We didn’t test the following chimineas, but they made our short list of favorites. Styles and prices vary, but if you’re looking for some additional great options for that perfect outdoor fireplace, consider one of these.
Best Modern
Kelly Clarkson Home Steel Wood-Burning Chiminea
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Wood
- Material: Steel
- Weight: 30.6 pounds
What We Like
- Smooth lines and stylish aesthetic
- Included grate can be used for cooking
- Large fire opening provides directional heat
What We Don’t Like
- No protective fire screen
If you’re in the market for a stylish chiminea, we think you’ll like this Kelly Clarkson Home model. Don’t be fooled by this steel wood-burning model’s impressive 60-inch size: It’s one of the lightest in our lineup despite being one of the tallest and widest. At just over 30 pounds, it won’t require a team of people to move it around the patio, either.
The Kelly Clarkson Home chiminea has a streamlined, modern design, and its large opening is easy to feed with wood to maintain the fire. It does a good job of capturing and directing the smoke, and the fire opening is wide. The only caveat is that the opening is rather close to the bottom of the pit, and there isn’t a door or log screen to keep the burning wood or fire logs from falling out. Overall, though, we like both the build quality and the design of this modern chiminea.
Get the Kelly Clarkson Home chiminea at Wayfair.
Best for Small Spaces
RediFlame Chiminea Kit
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Wood or Skeeterlogs
- Material: Clay
- Weight: 12 pounds
What We Like
- Handmade clay body
- Uses wood or RediFlame’s Skeeterlogs
- Includes 3 fire starters and 2 Skeeterlogs
What We Don’t Like
- Not designed for large spaces
Even compact chimineas will radiate some warmth and provide a measure of ambience, so they’re perfect for small spaces. At just 14 inches tall, this clay chiminea from RediFlame is an excellent pick for a small patio chiminea or for use on tables or balconies (with appropriate care).
As with larger chimineas, wood can fuel the fire, but RediFlame also provides 100 percent natural Skeeterlogs that act as an insect repellent. They are infused with eight different oils, and we appreciate that they are nontoxic, biodegradable, and will burn for 6 hours or more.
The RediFlame chiminea isn’t a particularly strong heat source, but it is an attractive solution for small spaces. It’s very affordable and includes both fire starters and Skeeterlogs.
Get the RediFlame chiminea at Amazon or Wayfair (appearance may vary).
Best for Large Spaces
Kay Home Products Deckmate Sonora Chiminea
Product Specs
- Fuel type: Wood
- Material: Steel and cast iron
- Weight: 54.25 pounds
What We Like
- Open fire bowl for maximum heating
- Made with steel and cast iron
- Features a sliding door for easy loading
What We Don’t Like
- Not well suited for windy conditions
Chimineas come in two basic designs. Those that are partly enclosed are good at directing heat toward a particular area and shielding the flames from wind, while those with an open fire basket like the Kay Home Deckmate Sonora are better at heating large open areas. The Sonora is similar in style to the Bali we tested. It offers a striking 360-degree view of the fire and provides maximum heat production. The downside will also be the same—it won’t fare well in windy conditions.
The Sonora chiminea combines steel and cast iron for durability with classic visual appeal. The 16-inch fire bed, accessed via a sliding door, provides plenty of room for logs. It can be opened and closed with the poker provided, so there’s no risk of burned hands. The convenient ash catcher makes cleanup much easier than lifting out a grate to clean away ashes beneath. We like this stylish model for use in areas that see very little wind.
Get the Kay Home Products chiminea at Amazon or Target.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Chimineas
Choosing which chimineas to test was harder than we thought. We researched everything from style, price, and intended use to consumer feedback. We also looked at models in various designs, materials, and fuel options, including wood, fire logs, and gel fuel.
Our hands-on testing was straightforward. We assembled each unit and then started a fire following the manufacturer’s instructions. We noted how well the chimineas funneled smoke up and out of the stack, paying attention to how much heat each one radiated. Since we had one gel fuel model, we tested that one both indoors and outdoors and used an air-quality control monitor to ensure it wasn’t emitting fumes in our house.
Each chiminea was awarded points based on a rubric; the better it fared on a test or assessment, the higher the points. After testing, we averaged the points and used them to pick our best overall performer and to categorize the others as to their best use.
What to Consider When Choosing a Chiminea
One of the best benefits of a chiminea over a traditional outdoor fireplace is its enhanced design and portability. Primary considerations include which style will suit the space and where you intend to keep it. Once you have a general idea of those factors, you will want to keep materials, size, and fuel type in mind as you decide.
Material
Chimineas are made from various materials, including terra-cotta, clay, and tile for a natural vibe, and steel, cast iron, aluminum, and even hammered copper to suit everything from rustic to modern aesthetics. Those interested in a traditional look will want to consider clay, the material used to make the first chimineas, which originated in Mexico. Although far less sturdy than metal, clay—especially El Barro, terra-cotta, or any other kiln-dried type—doesn’t show weathering as much as metal. However, metal versions have become much more popular, so folks may be hard-pressed to find a quality clay chiminea. (Our tested models are all made of metal.)
Metal chimineas are very durable and come in a much greater variety of designs than their clay and tile counterparts. They are, however, prone to rust and weathering, especially in harsh outdoor conditions. Cast-iron models have a charming rustic look but are among the heaviest options. Shoppers who like the look of cast iron will need to be prepared to sacrifice portability because of the weight. Also, because metal conducts heat so well, most paint applied to the exterior will likely bake and flake off.
Size and Shape
When choosing the size and shape of a chiminea, consider the decor and dimensions of the outdoor space where it will sit. The key is to get a model that will be in scale with the other furnishings and won’t overwhelm the square footage. A larger chiminea will generate more heat than a smaller model, but it’s likely to be heavy and less portable. Plus, a larger unit will often have a taller chimney, so shoppers will need to ensure that it won’t come into close contact with flammable materials such as an awning or pergola. Smaller chimineas have the benefit of portability and are easier to clean, as they can simply be dumped out.
Fuel Type
Like their traditional predecessors, modern chimineas most commonly rely on wood as the fuel source. However, as chimineas become more popular, an increasing number of reputable companies, such as Cuisinart, are making gas-powered alternatives. Gas fireplaces in general are considered to be better for the environment than wood-burning models, regardless of whether propane or natural gas are used. In fact, some gas fireplaces burn up to 99 percent cleaner than traditional wooden ones. Gas fireplaces also have an instant start-up and don’t require any additional effort to use, such as chopping and transporting wood.
On the downside, propane chimineas can lack the ambience that classic wood-burning fires produce. They must also be hooked up to a direct gas line or a bulky propane tank. No matter the fuel they use, chimineas have the potential to boost a boring backyard by adding a warming focal point.
Additional Features
Keep an eye out for chimineas that include handy safety and convenience features, such as a wide, stable base; a door; and fire pokers. Bases and doors protect property by preventing logs and embers from slipping out and falling directly onto something flammable or burning the floor of a deck. Those willing to spend a bit more money can find chimineas with built-in wood storage or 360-degree designs that radiate heat in all directions.
FAQs
The key to maximizing a chiminea’s functionality and design is understanding how to operate and maintain it safely. Those new to these portable outdoor heat vessels may still have a few questions, such as the common ones answered below.
Buyers don’t need special flooring to use a chiminea outside as long as they place it on flat ground. If they plan to put their chiminea on a wooden deck, they’ll want to place a flat stone or a few bricks directly under it so it doesn’t leave burn marks on the wood.
Similar to a standard fire pit, it’s recommended to keep a wood-burning chiminea at least 30 feet from the house or other structure. If you live in a somewhat arid location, we recommend placing the chiminea at least 50 feet away from your home.
Seasoning, also known as curing, is a process that prepares an outdoor clay chiminea to prevent it from cracking during use. Fortunately, most clay chimineas these days come preseasoned. If a clay chiminea is not preseasoned, follow these steps to prepare and protect it:
Place sand or rocks on the bottom so the fire doesn’t come into direct contact with the clay.
Start a very small fire in the center, let it go out, and let the chiminea cool completely.
Start a second slightly larger fire, let it go out, and then let the chiminea completely cool.
Repeat a third time. By then, the clay chiminea should be seasoned and ready to enjoy.
In terms of type, there isn’t a “best” chiminea. The look, material, and design of a chiminea should fit your particular style and needs. Each has unique pros and cons, and the best one is one that leaves you satisfied.
Chimineas that are open on all sides will give off the most heat. However, chimineas with a single opening tend to project more intense heat to a smaller space. Generally, chimineas don’t provide as much heat as open fire pits because the chimney material not only directs but also absorbs some of the heat.
Choosing between a fire pit and a chiminea comes down to personal preference. Fire pits tend to give off more light and radiate more heat, but they also don’t direct the smoke in any way, which can bring a burning sensation to the eyes during use and leave clothes smelling like smoke afterward. Those aren’t issues with a chiminea.
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.
Additional research was provided by Will Briskin.
