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This Blue Rooster chiminea is compact, versatile, and oh-so-trendy. Chimineas have long been popular in Mexico, where they’ve been used for hundreds of years to contain small fires for heating and cooking. Today’s models are mostly for entertainment, providing ambience for relaxing and entertaining.
I tested the Sun Fire chiminea from Blue Rooster as part of a larger test to find the best chimineas for deck and patio use, and it took the top spot in the lineup. Keep reading to learn more about the Blue Rooster outdoor fireplace and why it could be the perfect addition to your backyard.
Blue Rooster Sun Fire Chiminea: At a Glance
Our rating: 4.7/5
| Blue Rooster Sun Fire Chiminea Specs | |
| Material | Cast aluminum |
| Dimensions | 44 inches tall by 18 inches in diameter |
| Color | Charcoal |
| Weight | 48 pounds |
| Accessories | Rain lid, grate, spark insert, screen tool |
Testing the Sun Fire Chiminea
Testing the Blue Rooster chiminea involved starting a fire and analyzing how well the chiminea drew smoke through the stack without spewing red-hot sparks into the air or onto the ground. I burned seasoned hickory and ash with a little bit of kindling I got from splitting scrap lumber.
I started several fires in the belly of the Sun Fire and noted how well the safety features kept burning embers from becoming airborne. I also paid special attention to the quality of the materials used to construct the chiminea. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to this Blue Rooster wood-burning chiminea.
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Quick and easy assembly | Requires frequent addition of wood |
| Radiates heat in all directions | Cools down more quickly than cast iron |
| Attractive design adds a focal point | Limited space on small cooking grill |
Setup and Assembly
The chiminea arrived carefully packed in a single box, and it took me about 10 minutes to assemble. All I really had to do was attach the legs to the underside of the fire bowl (fasteners included) and then put the grates, the stack, and the spark arrester and lid in place.
The Sun Fire comes with two grates—one near the bottom of the fire bowl that serves as a platform to stack wood, and a second smaller 9-inch grate between the fire bowl and the stack. The second grate can be used for grilling a small amount of food. I grilled a couple of hot dogs and they turned out great, but the grate’s not big enough to cook up a mess of food for a family.
The chimney stack sits atop the fire bowl, and a removable spark arrester fits in the upper stack opening. The Sun Fire also comes with a lid that will keep unwanted rain out of the chiminea.
Heat Production
The Blue Rooster chiminea is made from cast aluminum, so when a fire is roaring in the fire bowl, heat radiates from all sides. Compared with cast iron and clay chimineas I’ve used, it heats up relatively quickly but also cools down faster than the others. Likewise, while the outside of the Sun Fire got very warm to the touch, it didn’t get scorching hot like cast iron is prone to, and it still radiated warmth from about 3 to 5 feet.
The most heat radiated from the open front of the fire bowl, which is typical, and when I sat in front, I was toasty warm. The Sun Fire has a protective front grill that keeps hot embers in place, so I didn’t have to worry about popping hot embers escaping and shooting out toward me.
I had to feed the fire frequently with more wood to keep it going, but that’s to be expected in an 18-inch fire bowl. Had I burned oak, it might have burned longer. If you’d like to have a longer-lasting fire in the chiminea, try burning a fire log that’s made to last 2 hours or longer.
Durability and Maintenance
Cast aluminum is very durable, and the Sun Fire doesn’t require much maintenance. However, practicing some basic care is a good idea. After using the chiminea, let it cool down completely and then sweep out the cold ashes or use an ash vacuum to suck them out.
You can also wipe down the interior with a damp cloth to remove soot and residue. If necessary, you can use a mild soap solution, but avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the finish. Blue Rooster includes a small jar of touch-up paint that can be used to cover scratches on the exterior.
I plan to store the Sun Fire in my garage over the winter to prevent ice from building up, but if you don’t have room to store it in a garage or shed, Blue Rooster makes a chiminea cover you might want to consider buying to protect it.
Blue Rooster Chiminea: A Good Balance of Price and Quality
The Sun Fire chiminea from Blue Rooster sells for $389 at both Amazon and Blue Rooster. That’s slightly more expensive than some chimineas but much less than others. It’s one of Blue Roosters’ more affordable models, but I didn’t find it cheaper in a material sense.
As a quality cast-aluminum chiminea, it can serve as a focal point for entertaining while providing heat and a small cooking element. For my money, the Sun Fire is a smart little outdoor fireplace that will provide warmth and entertainment value for years to come.
Product Comparisons
| Blue Rooster Sun Fire | Sunnydaze Rustic Chiminea | TerraFlame Lloyd Modern | Houk Chiminea | |
| Material | Cast aluminum | Alloy steel | Metal | Cast iron |
| Fuel | Wood | Wood | Gel fuel | Wood |
| Price | $389 | $369 | $699.99 | $239.99 |
So, is the Sun Fire chiminea right for you?
If you’re looking for a stylish outdoor chiminea to boost your backyard decor, the Sun Fire from Blue Rooster is an excellent choice. It assembles quickly, and it’s made from lightweight cast aluminum that’s durable and provides soothing warmth without becoming extremely hot to the touch.
The wood-burning chiminea comes with a small cooking grate for those times you’d like to grill a couple of hot dogs or burgers. I prefer it over a cast-iron chiminea, which can get dangerously hot, and clay, which tends to develop cracks over time. It’s a perfect choice for family gatherings and cozy evenings outdoors.
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.