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The Spruce / Amelia Manley
A chiminea is a portable heat source that's been used for centuries and is a great way to warm up your modern deck or patio.
We researched dozens of chimineas, evaluating ease of assembly, durability, and value.
Here are the best chimineas to warm you up.
Best Overall
Freeport Park Amabel 75'' H Steel Wood Burning Outdoor Chiminea
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Wayfair
Large opening
Weather-resistant
Easy to assemble
Stylish design
No cover on top
If you’re looking for a chiminea that will add a touch of warmth and flair to your backyard, we recommend the Freeport Park Amabel Steel Wood Burning Chiminea. Our best overall pick, this stylish chiminea stands out for its rust patina coloring and tall 75-inch frame. The large 20-inch by 29-inch bowl gives you an excellent visual of the flames and makes loading wood and cleaning up easy.
Assembly is straightforward, too, and the steel material makes this chiminea quite durable in different types of weather. Keep in mind, though, that the original color will change a bit over time as it is exposed to the elements. It is listed as weather-resistant.
Despite your proximity to the chiminea, you don’t have to worry about breathing in smokey air. Like most chimineas on this list, its design brings air in through the opening and moves the smoke upward, away from those sitting around it. However, this chiminea doesn't come with a cover to prevent stray embers from flying out. Unlike some other products, you can also use this chiminea on a wood deck or patio as long as you place a heat-resistant barrier underneath it.
Price at time of publish: $490
Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 75 inches | Weight: 50 pounds | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood-burning
Best Budget
Better Homes and Gardens Cast Iron Chiminea
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Walmart
360-degree view of the fire
Includes matching poker and cover
Made of heavy-duty cast iron
Removable lid on chimney
Somewhat heavy
Large chimineas can get quite expensive, but the Better Homes and Gardens Chiminea is a more affordable option for small spaces (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce's parent company, Dotdash Meredith). This fireplace is crafted from heavy-duty cast iron with a bronze finish, and it features wire grates around the whole base for a 360-degree view of the fire.
This chiminea is just under 46 inches tall and 23 inches in diameter, and one of the mesh panels swings open to allow you to add wood to the interior. The fire pit has a removable lid on top of its chimney, and it even comes with a matching fire poker and nylon cover, which will protect the cast iron construction from getting wet when it’s not in use.
Price at time of publish: $97
Dimensions: 22.8 x 22.8 x 45.7 inches | Weight: 48.4 pounds | Material: Cast iron | Fuel Type: Wood-burning
Best Splurge
Modfire Gas Fireplace
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Courtesy of Modfire
Unique design
Optional accessories
Natural gas or propane options
Available in multiple colors
Cover and accessories cost extra
Chimineas are traditionally used to burn wood, but if you don’t want to be stuck chopping logs, the Modfire Fireplace is a unique gas-powered alternative. This super-modern fireplace has an incredibly sleek design inspired by industrial-age smoke stacks, and you can choose whether you want it powered by natural gas or propane.
The Modfire is made from steel and comes in several bright, eye-catching colors. It stands 48 inches tall with a 22-inch diameter at the base. The gas-powered models of this unique chiminea include a 55,000-BTU burner inside, kicking off an unbeatable amount of heat, and the brand sells a number of accessories for the fireplace, including a base that elevates it off the ground and a cover.
Price at time of publish: $1,950
Dimensions: 22 x 48 inches | Weight: 65 pounds | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Natural gas or propane
Best for Heat
Bali Outdoors Chiminea
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Courtesy of Amazon
Made of heavy-duty cast iron
360-degree view of the fire
Removable lid on chimney
Removing ashes is easy
Some reports of rust if kept uncovered
Many people use chimineas as an outdoor heating option, as they’re not as smoky as open fire pits, and in particular, the Bali Outdoors Chiminea is great for gathering around on chilly summer nights. This mid-size chiminea has wire mesh around its whole base, so it casts heat in every direction and gives everyone a beautiful view of the fire inside.
The Bali Chiminea is extremely durable, thanks to its cast iron construction, and it’s 45 inches tall with a removable lid for the chimney. The base of the fireplace has a 22-inch diameter with a two-piece log grate that provides superior airflow for a more consistent burn, and one of the mesh panels slides to the side, allowing you to add more fuel easily. There’s even a drawer in the base that makes ash disposal quick and convenient!
Price at time of publish: $180
Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 45 inches | Weight: 40 pounds | Material: Cast iron | Fuel Type: Wood-burning
Best Cast Iron
The Blue Rooster Casita Wood Burning Chiminea
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Amazon
Large size
Can use as an outdoor oven
Flip-down door for cooking
Made of heavy-duty cast iron
Extremely heavy
Cast iron is known for its superior heat retention, so once the Blue Rooster Casita Chiminea heats up, it will stay hot, keeping your outdoor living space toasty warm. Because of its large size and metal construction, this chiminea is extremely heavy, weighing more than 260 pounds. It can be used as both an outdoor fireplace and oven, making it a worthwhile addition to your patio.
This chiminea doesn’t have a traditional narrow chimney out the top—instead, there’s a flip-down door over the main fire pit that reveals a spacious cooking area. This upper oven can fit pizzas up to 14 inches, and there’s a chimney out the top for ventilation. The lower firebox can fit full-size logs, and the unit is extremely well made, as the brand is known for creating products that stand the test of time.
Price at time of publish: $890
Dimensions: 48 x 22 x 18 inches | Weight: pounds | Material: Cast iron | Fuel Type: Wood-burning
Best Steel
Kelly Clarkson Home Clayton 60'' H Steel Wood Burning Outdoor Chiminea
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Wayfair
Smaller footprint
Lightweight
Stylish design
Doesn't come with a cover
Steel chimineas offer long-lasting durability, and they’re often lighter than cast iron options. The Kelly Clarkson Home Clayton Chiminea, with its tall, narrow shape, works well on smaller patios or decks. The fireplace is 60 inches tall and 22 inches in diameter, but it only weighs 30 pounds, making it easy to move around as needed.
Made from cold-rolled steel, this stylish chiminea has a modern curved form that’s supported by three angled legs. It comes with a wood grate for more efficient burning, and the tall 6 1/4-inch chimney helps funnel smoke away from your seating area.
Price at time of publish: $244
Dimensions: 22 x 60 x 60 inches | Weight: 30.6 pounds | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood-burning
Best Gas
Cuisinart Chiminea Propane Fire Pit
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Amazon
Unique design
Tip-over safety switch
Easy to operate
Includes 8 pounds of lava rocks
No screen or cover included
The Cuisinart Chiminea Propane Fire Pit offers you the convenience of a propane patio heater, with the ambiance of a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. This stylish chiminea has a stainless steel frame with a black finish, stainless steel base, and 40,000 BTUs. It has an adjustable heat-control system for quick operation. Although it doesn't provide a 360-degree view of the fire, it has a directional heat shield that keeps the heat blowing in one direction, so those sitting in front of it will be nice and toasty.
The chiminea comes with eight pounds of lava rocks, which are not only pretty to look at but also hold and help disperse the heat. With a 20-pound propane tank (not included), this chiminea can run for up to 15 hours, depending on the setting. Since it is one of the most lightweight options on this list, we like that it has a tip-over safety switch in case it is bumped into or blows over in a storm.
Price at time of publish: $609
Dimensions: 31 x 31 x 45 inches | Weight: 45.5 pounds | Material: Steel | Fuel Type: Wood-burning
The Freeport Park Amabel Steel Wood Burning Chiminea has a large, rustic build that's easy to load and brings warmth and light to outdoor spaces. For a less-expensive option, the Better Homes and Gardens Chiminea has a durable cast iron construction and offers 360-degree views of the inner fire, making it a perfect centerpiece for any patio.
What to Look for in a Chiminea
Shape
Traditional clay chimineas typically feature a round base with a narrow vertical chimney on top, but today, many chimineas have more modern angular designs. In addition to deciding what shape you prefer from an aesthetic standpoint, you’ll want to consider the size of the base. Small or awkwardly shaped bases might not fit full-size logs, making it harder to fuel your fire.
Material
Chimineas come in a variety of different materials, including traditional terracotta or clay, steel, cast iron, cast aluminum, or even copper. These materials offer different benefits you’ll want to consider when selecting the right option for your home. For instance, terracotta provides a rustic vibe but is easier to break. Steel is durable and inexpensive but can rust if exposed to the elements, while cast iron retains heat well but is extremely heavy.
Fuel Type
Most chimineas are wood-burning, which means you’ll need a steady supply of logs or sticks to keep them lit. However, there are some newer chimineas that run on liquid propane or natural gas—the former is easily bought in tanks at any hardware store, while the latter requires a connection to your home’s natural gas line.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Camryn Rabideau, a product tester and expert on all things home. She's owned an outdoor fireplace herself and knows what to look for when shopping for an outdoor heating source.
Additional reporting was done by Jenica Currie, Associate Commerce Editor for outdoor, gardening, and home improvement at The Spruce. She has tested products at home and in the Lab, including tower fans, solar lights, and wood-burning fire pits.