Chimenea Care
Chimenea Care Tips
Chimeneas are constructed of fired clay. Although clay walls are thick, you must take caution in building fires inside the chimenea. Large, raging fires can damage or destroy your chimenea. Piñon wood is a popular pine from New Mexico, with a nice southwest aroma, commonly used in chimeneas. You can burn any type of wood or charcoal. Lighter fluids or other flammable liquids are not recommended for use in starting your fire. Like all clay pottery, your chimenea can be adversely affected by moisture and weather and needs to be protected from freezing temperatures. Completely cover with a tarp or bring indoors during wet, freezing weather. You may try applying a sealant, but since clay is a porous material it does not usually absorb surface paints or sealants in a uniform manner.
Outdoor Safety:
Burning chimeneas are for outdoor use only! They are an open campfire. Do Not burn chimeneas in any enclosed area — like a shed, garage or enclosed patio — smoke inhalation can cause illness or death to people or pets.
Caution: Do Not place any chimenea directly on top of a wood deck! Place on a fire-proof surface such as concrete, stone or brick.
The Flue must be unobstructed to allow exhaust smoke to flow to open air.
Exterior is HOT when in use. Maintain a safe distance to other outdoor objects, at least 24" clearance all the way around. Observe extreme caution with children!
Do NOT leave a chimenea unattended while in use!
Protect & Preserve the life of your chimenea:
Layer the inside bottom with lava rock or sand or use a clay grate. This will act as a shield to keep the hot fire from sitting directly on the clay and reduce the risk of cracking.
First Firing: Your first 2-3 fires should be small. This tempers the chimenea to handle larger fires later. Ignoring this can damage your chimenea!
Never over-fire your chimenea. After your first few small fires you can build medium-sized, manageable fires. The fire should never be larger than approximately half of the fire chamber. Use small pieces of wood.
Never burn a chimenea when it is wet — it could cause severe cracking. Avoid moving or transporting when wet.
Due to the fragile nature of clay products, chimeneas and clay grates are not warranted.
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