MyHoustonDecor.com

When it comes to purchasing an outdoor fireplace for the backyard or patio, safety should always be the top priority. While most designs have been tested and are generally considered safe, it is also true that some are safer than others. Currently, the two most popular types of outdoor fireplaces are Fire Pits and Chimineas. While both provide copious amounts of heat and are aesthetically pleasing, there costs and benefits associated with each design.

The first thing owners and guests alike will notice about a chiminea is that it does not produces quite as much smoke or heat as a fire pit. That is because a chiminea is a lot like a standard chimney. It has a single opening that cleanly and efficiently burns fuel.

A fire pit, on the other hand, is an open fireplace that is much like a simple ring of heated rocks. And while they do occasionally have small chimneys, the wide opening prevents proper ventilation and protection. That is why fire pits can smolder, or flare up depending on the wind.

One major disadvantage of fire pits is that they do produce an awful lot of smoke. This may not be a major concern if they are being used at a party, but for families that enjoy gathering around their outdoor fireplaces every evening as the weather gets colder, a fire pit can be a bit much. In fact, it may even upset and annoy the neighbors if they are also outdoors. And because fire pits do not burn as cleanly or as evenly as chimineas, they often leave a lot of unburned ash that must be swept up. In all honestly, fire pits are better suited for campgrounds than they are for backyards, especially if you have neighbors only a few yards away.

Conversely, the design of the chiminea allows fresh air to enter the fire and smoke to exit from the top, without annoying or upsetting your guests or neighbors. Chimineas are also much safer because they enclose the fire, rather than leaving it open. Of course, we’d all like to believe that responsible adults can host a party without anyone getting hurt. But sometimes people drink too much at parties, which obviously makes it much riskier having an open fire around, rather than an enclosed one. It is also true that a fire pit, just like an outdoor grill or barbeque easily be tipped over, causing a big mess and possibly even a fire.

But wait a minute! Don’t fire pits have any good points? We’re glad you asked. We don’t mean to seem overly harsh on them. Fire pits really do make great outdoor fireplaces, but not necessarily for the backyard. To begin with, they produce a lot of warmth and they can often accommodate large groups of people. Whereas, chimineas do not get as hot and are really only for small groups of people. Also, fire pits are often portable, which means you can pack them up and take them to your favorite camping site without much difficulty.

But fire pits are still more dangerous and are often much messier. Really, the only way a homeowner could safely keep a fire pit is if he has a large patio and no one living nearby. As we mentioned, these devices produce a lot of smoke and sometimes ash, so it would be irresponsible to own one with neighbors only a few yards away.

Materials

When looking for a quality outdoor fire place, you must pay close attention to the materials. Presently, stores sell fireplaces that are made of steel, cooper or clay. While these units may provide warm and serve you well for a season or two, they are not nearly as safe or as durable as cast iron or aluminum fireplaces. There’s a reason why cast iron stoves have been used to heat homes for hundreds of years. Not only do they provide more warmth, more efficiently, but they will also last a very long time.

All of the other materials, whether used for fire pits or chimineas, are virtually disposable by comparison. Sheet metal, for instance, will melt and rust. Clay can be severely damaged by either hot or cold weather. And while copper does look great and does provide adequate warmth, it is definitely a high-maintenance metal and must be continually cleaned to prevent patina and tarnish.

The only real drawback of a cast iron outdoor fireplace is that it is extremely heavy. So, if you are looking for a portable model to take on occasional camping trip, it is probably best to go with a smaller aluminum fireplace.

Operation

Fire pits can be fueled by regular, store bought coal, while chimineas run best on the same fire logs that are used in home fireplaces. A word of caution: fire pits can smolder for hours, even days if the are not properly extinguished. Not surprisingly, this increases the changes that embers or sparks might blow out of the pit and cause damage to your property. So, make certain that all open fires are extinguished before you turn in for the night.

Other Options

We would be remiss if we did not at least mention the other two outdoor heating options. They include pagodas and gel fire bowls. Believe it or not, these are the most popular outdoor heating options. Primarily because they are inexpensive and do not require much maintenance. However, neither a pagoda nor a gel fire bowl could rightly be called an outdoor fireplace. In truth, they are little more than small individual outdoor heating devices. Really, there is no way either item can provide enough heat for a family, nonetheless a party or get together. They are designed for individual use, nothing more.

In conclusion, when shopping for an outdoor fireplace, the best advice you can follow it to be responsible and consider your neighbors. As we mentioned, if you have neighbors living in close proximity, it is probably not a good idea to purchase a fire pit. If, however, you live out in the wilderness and have a large open patio, a fire pit may fit.

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