As described in the introductory article on the outdoor fireplace, a portable outdoor fireplace falls into one of three main categories: the chiminea, the portable fire pit and the simple fire ring. The main advantage of portable outdoor fireplaces compared with built-in ones is the increased flexibility in moving them to whatever location you want in your garden as well as their significantly lower price.
The chiminea is the most common type of portable outdoor fireplace in the U.S., while in Europe the portable fire pit is more prevalent. Chimineas are traditional Mexican ovens which were already in use centuries ago to provide heat and a place for cooking to their owners. They consist of a bowl-shaped firebox with an opening to one side and a long, narrow chimney on top. The bowl shape ensures a good air circulation within the firebox, while the long chimney helps to keep the smoke away from the people sitting around the outdoor fireplace. The construction results in heat being radiated out of the opening in the side in one direction only, which makes it ideal for warming up during cold nights. The main decision to make when selecting a chiminea is the material used for its construction. Chimineas are made either out of metal, mostly cast iron and aluminum or out of clay, often also described as ceramic or terracotta.
Both kinds of chimineas have their own distinctive advantages and disadvantages. A clay chiminea typically comes fully assembled and therefore requires no further work before startup. It is fairly heavy and somewhat difficult to move. Its main characteristic however is the brittleness of the clay, which causes it to break much more easily than its metal counterpart. The weak point is the bottom part of the firebox, which can develop cracks and even fall out after heavy use. Also, clay fireplaces must never be used while still wet, for example after being exposed to rain. Models offered on the market should therefore be carefully checked for manufacturing quality and durability. Due to their fragility, they are also fairly maintenance-intensive, as they should be protected from humidity and cleaned regularly. On the other hand, their main advantage compared with metal-made models is their ability to store heat better as well as keep the temperature on the outside much lower.
The cast iron and aluminum chiminea usually does need some simple assembly after delivery, however it is much more durable than clay models and requires less maintenance, apart from the necessary rust protection for iron ones. There are large variations in weight, with iron models being very heavy, while aluminum ones are easily transportable. Both types get very hot during operation.
The price tags for a chiminea starts at about $170 for clay models and $380 for cast metal-made ones.
A portable fire pit is most often made from iron or aluminum, however some clay models are also available. They most closely resemble traditional campfires and radiate their heat in all directions. While most models are built as solid units, some are a real collapsible, portable outdoor fireplace which can be folded up when not in use. Fire pits can be found starting from about $100 upwards.
Fire rings usually are used only to contain a fire which burns on an existing fire-proof surface. A large variety of models is available, however, most are unlikely to be used in a residential garden.
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