Having an outdoor fire on a cool night can allow you to enjoy the
outdoors and provide for a cozy area to gather and relax. A Chiminea
makes a wonderful outside fireplace that is both heat giving and
attractive. They are also portable, making it possible to use them just
about anywhere in your garden or patio. If you are thinking of
purchasing a Chiminea and are wondering what you can burn in it, the
answer is pretty simple and I will outline the main types of fuel
available in this article.
Charcoal
If
you are using a Chiminea for the first time and wish to use it for
cooking then it's probably best to start with charcoal. You can purchase
charcoal briquettes which are self lighting and require little or no
effort to get going. Simply light with a match or lighter and away you
go. It's best to leave the fire burning for about 20 minutes if you are
planning to cook anything.
Wood
Since Chimineas were
made to burn wood, then wood is an obvious choice. It also produces the
least number of sparks which makes it a safe option. Generally,
hardwoods are the best to use, and if you like aromatic wood there are
several different kinds to choose from.
Pinon wood gives off a
wonderful pine scent and also chases misquotes away, making enjoying
your fire even more pleasant. Cedar, especially red cedar, also gives
off a wonderful aroma as does apple wood. In addition, if you want a bit
more aroma in your fire you can dry orange or apple slices and add them
in with your logs. You can also try mature pine cones. The Mayan people
of Central America used 'Ocote' in their clay Chiminea which serves two
purposes: it is a natural firelighter and also gives off a pleasant
aroma when lit due to its high resin content.
Eco logs are a
cheap, simple alternative and are made from compressing saw dust to form
a log shape. They usually come in a wax paper bag which you can light
directly and let burn in your Chiminea without the need for any other
firelighter. They can burn for up to 2 hours so are worth having around
to get a fire started, you can then add other fuel later on.
Other Sources of Heat You Can Use in Your Chiminea
You
can purchase other kinds of fuel for your Chiminea as well. Propane and
gas inserts are designed so that you can burn gas in your cast iron or
steel outdoor fireplace. You can then remove the insert when you want to
use wood. Another alternative to wood is alcohol gel. This burns
cleanly and only produces water as a byproduct, making it safe for use
indoors. However, if you are going to use a Chiminea indoors please use
common sense when choosing where to position it and do not attempt to
cook or add any other fuel as this could lead to a house full of smoke
and possible asphyxiation.
What not to burn in your Chiminea
You
should never burn treated wood or wood pellets. Treated wood gives off
toxic fumes which can affect your health and wood pellets, such as those
used in a wood pellet indoor stove, leave a long ash which can quickly
build up causing you to spend more time cleaning out ash than enjoying
your fire. Also avoid green wood, as it will not produce much fire but
will cause a lot of smoke. Dry wood is always best to burn when using
any type of wood fire. Never use gasoline or petroleum based accelerants
to start your fire. These can be extremely dangerous and could even
cause an explosion when used in an enclosed fireplace.
Most
manufacturers will supply instructions and basic maintenance information
with your Chiminea so please refer to the booklet provided. If in any
doubt contact the supplier or the manufacturer direct and ask them for
advice. And on a final note, if using a clay Chiminea always make sure
that you place sand or stones in the bottom of it before adding the fuel
as clay is prone to cracking with sudden changes in temperature.
Simon Davies writes for
http://www.chimineashop.co.uk where you can find a great selection of
Chiminea.