Firebowl or Chiminea?

This is a question which more and more people are asking and I have a few thoughts which may help you decide so in this hub I'm going to tell you what they are.

With the arrival of summer more people are looking at their outdoor living spaces and feeling they want to spice them up a little. Adding a firebowl or chiminea not only adds practicality to your garden or pation, they can also add a delightful decorative finish. However, chiminea and firebowls each have their differences and these are important to consider before going out to buy one.

These are my top 5 things to consider:

1. What are the general differences between the two?

Well it's essential to have a basic understanding of what the main differences are between the two. Of course, they are both designed as places to burn a fire but the main differences are fairly marked.A chiminea is more of an upright fire burning chimney, similar to indoors woord burning stoves. They are designed to create heat and to vent smoke above the people in the area through use of the tall funnel, or chimney (see where they got 'chiminea' from yet...). In general they take up less space than a fire pit, but most of them also offer limited visibility of the fire.

Firebowls on the other hand are flatter in design and have an open top, with no chimney, and offer 360 degree views of the fire.They are most designed for visual appeal whereas chiminea have more of a heat emitting and cooking side to them.

Of course, I'm speaking in general terms here as chiminea are also used by some as features, and there are even some that offer open visibility to the fire.

2.How big is your garden?

Depending on your garden, you may be able to determine the right type based on the size of garden or patio you have available. If you have a large area to play with and several sitting areas, a firebowl may be a logical choice. If you are working in confined space, such as a small patio or veranda, then a chiminea may make more sense. With this choice, you still get the benefits of a fire, while leaving more space for people to move around.

If your space is less restricted, then a firebowl may be a better option. These range in size, and are generally round or squared. With a firebowl, chairs are generally pulled up with the fire as the central focus.

3. Safety considerations

On the surface a chiminea may be safer than a firebowl - the chimney design on a chiminea will keep smoke away from guests, as the air and smoke will go up the funnel and should avoid getting in peoples eyes (however, depending on funnel height this may not always be the case). With chimineas, the fire is also contained, making the likelihood of embers blowing out lower, but again most firebowls also come with spark guards to reduce the risk of this becoming a problem.

Firebowls tend to catch any draft and blow the smoke around, and there are more of the same risks associated with an open fire. The other downside is if you have kids. It is far easier to put a guard around a chiminea as they are smaller is diameter than a firebowl. This also applies to those of you who have pets.

4. Cooking

If you are a keen cook and want to grill outdoors nowadays both firebowls and chimiea offer that feature in most models. Firebowls are more like traditional bbqs in the sense that they are open fires, whereas chimineas are enclosed fireplaces. Having said that you can do things with a chiminea that are not possible with a firebowl as you have a cross between a regular bbq and an elcosed oven. Personally I like chimineas for bbq-ing due to their versatility.

The other point about firebowls is that if you are buying them purely for decoration you may not want the mess involved with cooking on them.

5.Other practical facts

Chimineas may not offer the same "gathering" factor, but with the fireplace design, there is a cap to keep rain out, as opposed to a fire pit that can gather it, as well as a mesh screen front. Chimineas are also more fuel efficient and burn cleaner than a fire pit, making your wood last longer.

And finally,

No matter which design you decide on for your yard or patio, make sure that you invest in a quality piece. Chimineas come in a wide price range, and by spending a little more on the front end you can avoid replacing it after just a couple of seasons.

The right piece can become a functioning artistic addition to your patio space. With a little research, you will have a piece that may become an heirloom with the right treatment. Make sure to preserve your chiminea or firepit with a cover when not in use, and keep excess soot cleaned when necessary. Proper care will have your piece working for years to come!