chimenea help needed

susiesue_2

i really want a chimenea, but am unsure what type to go for. i defiantly want to cook on it as well as for lighting a fire in.

what are the pros/cons of iron or terracotta and anybody seen any bargains?


susiesue

dazzer68

unless your going to store it away terracotta will eventually fall apart, as they arent normally frost /weather proof, and will crumble if left out in frosts and wet conditions, these are usually only good for burning leaves not logs.cast iron gets hotter so will give better heat output, heaveir to move around, might rust a bit.can burn larger logs and twigs.

Buggins

Hi - Can't speak for cooking on chimineas but would definitely suggest an iron one. Our terracotta one is falling apart at the edges from frost (despite being covered during the winter). The other point I would make is that most chimineas are only good for people sitting right in front of the hole at the front. A friend of mine has one with an 'all round' mesh in the "belly" of the iron chiminea and that's far more friendly when there are a few of you sitting around it of an evening!!
One of those things I wish I had thought about before I spent the money!
HTH
Buggins

nuttywoman

Had an email the other week from bargaincrazy, they were selling the cast iron ones for £45 , don`t know whether they still are.

OK_Sauce

Mrs Sauce had done a bit of research about this before buying one. Her conclusion is...

Terracotta/clay, avoid due to the issues already discussed. Cast iron is good, however will need maintaining/painting due to rust. Aluminium is the best as is pretty much maintenance free BUT is quite expensive compared to iron - typically 30 - 40% more..