Cast iron chiminea

[Mr MXT]

We’ve had a couple of cheap chimineas and love sitting out in the evening, they tend to last a few years before they rust away.

I’d like to replace with a properly solid cast iron one (I don’t want clay as I know I’ll run it at 5000 degrees and crack it)

There is a bewildering choice online so I’d like to get a supplier recommendation - I’m looking for something big and heavy that will last a long time.

Thanks!

[Evoluzione]

It'll probably crack.

[otherman]

You'll get a much better fire in a firebowl, and they can be put away in the winter so they last longer.

[Big Al.]

Evoluzione said:

It'll probably crack.

Not in my case, had one for about 10 years, just a good wire brush every year, and a lick of black stove paint if needed, jobs a good un.

[Mr MXT]

Why would it crack? The stove inside doesn’t crack..? Not a fire pit fan, always preferred a chiminea.

[sospan]

Cast iron will only crack if....
Toppled over or hit hard.
Made really hot ( glowing) and severely quenched.
We used to cast molten steel ( 1600 degC) into cast iron moulds. They would eventually deteriorate due to that extreme treatment.
A chiminea will be ok , brushed and high temp paint will tart it up.

[Evoluzione]

Mr MXT said:

Why would it crack? The stove inside doesn’t crack..? Not a fire pit fan, always preferred a chiminea.

I did state 'probably' because they do and:

Mr MXT said:

I’d like to replace with a properly solid cast iron one (I don’t want clay as I know I’ll run it at 5000 degrees and crack it)

I'm sure if you spend enough money and treat it properly it won't, but you don't sound able enough.

[Mr MXT]

Firstly, I’m not a child, don’t speak to me as such.

Secondly, I’m looking for a good quality cast iron chiminea, can anyone recommend a good supplier?

[Evoluzione]

These: https://www.castironchimineas.co.uk/FAQ.htm

Say "We guarantee the body of your chiminea for 12 months against cracking. This warranty applies only to damage caused under normal use."
Whatever abnormal is and how they'd prove it I don't know.
I do know you can use and abuse SS ones, they don't crack nor rust, but they are much more modern looking.

[bigandclever]

Evoluzione said:

I'm sure if you spend enough money and treat it properly it won't, but you don't sound able enough.

Ooh, low blow, attacking a man’s chimnea maintenance skills.

[dhutch]

My partner wants one of these.

I dont really see the point and we have a nice open fire inside when its cold enough not to be outside.

However I do enjoy sitting around the embers of a bonfire after a big garden tidy up, so maybe I will like it.


Do they lift the smoke high enough to keep most of it out of your eyes?

[sospan]

I’m a metallurgist. You will never get enough heat into it from the fuel to get it anywhere near a temperature that would affect it to cause cracks.
The paint will burn away, rust set in. Brush it clean, scrub with a Scotchpad soaked in Pepsi, repaint. The acid in the Pepsi will help convert the light rust.
Sounds odd but it works, i’ve done it on cast iron exhaust manifolds.

[so called]

We had a cast iron Chiminea which lasted years.
It only got dismantled when the grill of the middle body corroded. burned through.
I made two fire pits out of the cast top and botton.

Gave my neighbour the top piece and still have the bottom as spare when my other (newer) cast iron fire pit is past it.

No cracks in 20 years.
Don't know the make of the original Chiminea but will check on the newer fire pit and let you know.

[rustyuk]

Have you considered one of the 'Smoke Free' fire pits?

Something like the Solo Stove or https://uk.bioliteenergy.com/

[Evoluzione]

dhutch said:

My partner wants one of these.

I dont really see the point and we have a nice open fire inside when its cold enough not to be outside.

However I do enjoy sitting around the embers of a bonfire after a big garden tidy up, so maybe I will like it.


Do they lift the smoke high enough to keep most of it out of your eyes?

It depends on the weather conditions. We often come in covered in ash and smelling of smoke after we've been sat around ours.

[Mr MXT]

Evoluzione said:

It depends on the weather conditions. We often come in covered in ash and smelling of smoke after we've been sat around ours.

Maybe you aren’t handling it right?

[liner33]

Had mine about 20 years now its not cracked , but dont think its been used more than about 10 times , its just a garden feature really

[Evoluzione]

Mr MXT said:

Evoluzione said:

It depends on the weather conditions. We often come in covered in ash and smelling of smoke after we've been sat around ours.

Maybe you aren’t handling it right?

Shut up

[The Gauge]

I’ve just ordered this Toledo chiminea for my patio from Gardens4less, arriving this week

[dhutch]

The Gauge said:

I’ve just ordered this Toledo chiminea for my patio from Gardens4less, arriving this week

Let us know how it goes.