Here Are Some Tips For Buying, Using Portable Fireplaces

Fri., Nov. 26, 1999

Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub Sun-Sentinel, South Florida

Love the thought of enjoying a chimenea portable fireplace? Here are some things to keep in mind before and after you purchase one.

At the store

Thin-walled pots are susceptible to cracking. Look for pots with walls at least 1 inch thick.

Visually inspect the chimenea for cracks. Then bang on the side and listen. A well-fired pot should have a higher ring and sound like you are banging on metal. If it has a short thumpy sound, it has cracks and should be avoided.

Ask the seller about warranties.

Be sure to buy a metal stand so that the chimenea can be elevated.

At home

Never use a chimenea inside or on an enclosed porch if you are going to use it as a fireplace.

Prepare it properly before use. Paint the chimenea inside and out with a couple of coats of a water-based sealer. Drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage and cover the bottom with wire mesh. Add 1-2 inches of pebbles and cover with sand. The sand can be used to put out the fire and keeps the bottom from damage by carelessly thrown logs.

Cure the pot by starting with three or four small fires, using a small amount of wood or half a manufactured log such as a Duraflame. After the chimenea is cured, some people prefer using pinon wood because of its soothing aroma that also repels bugs. The Plow & Hearth catalog (800) 627-1712) sells pinon wood for $39.95 for 35 pounds.

Remember that fires can be dangerous. Be sure the chimenea is on a stable surface, use a wire stand and keep it away from foliage and other combustibles.

Never start the fires with charcoal lighter fluid. The clay will absorb the fluid, eventually causing it to crack or explode.

Allow the fire to burn itself out. Using water to put out the fire can result in cracking.

Cover the smokestack when not in use to protect from rain and standing water. The Sundance catalog (800) 422-2770) sells a chimenea rain cap (Item No. 24629) for $25.

Do not use a chimenea for preparing food. Some manufacturers paint the inside with a fire retardant.

Information

Hot on getting a chimenea? These days you can find them almost everywhere - from fireplace stores to hardware stores and specialty shops. If you can’t find what you want locally, here are some mail-order sources. Other companies such as Gardeners Eden include chimeneas only in spring and summer catalogs.

Sundance, (800) 422-2770, features a terra-cotta chimenea (Item No. 23559). Currently the only size available is 31 inches by 20 inches for $265 plus shipping.

Plow & Hearth, (800) 627-1712, adds a new twist to the chimenea with a more durable cast-iron version (Item No. 6586). The cast-iron firebox is topped with a stovepipe chimney and cap. It is 21 inches in diameter and 58 inches high. The price is $199.95 plus shipping.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.