8 Tips for Chiminea Safety

By theadmin

Chimineas were invented centuries ago in Southern Mexico to cook meals, bake bread, and keep families warm through cold desert nights. Today, they’ve gained popularity as a unique, welcoming focal point for backyard patios and lawns. Because they are made of clay, they have unique requirements to operate safely. Follow these best practices for chiminea safety:

Make a Stand

Chimineas have a distinctive, bulblike shape and require a stand to stay upright and off the ground. Make sure your stand is made of bricks, pavers, cement, or another incredibly strong and inflammable material.

Give It Space

Chimineas need good clearance (ideally 15-plus feet) from your home, garage, shed, and surrounding trees or shrubs. All fires have sparks, and keeping structures far from fire sources helps prevent unintended fires.

Build Fires Naturally

Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or any other flammable liquids to start your fire, as they can cause an explosion. Instead, use kindling, newspaper, or fire starters. Once the fire is established, add only small pieces of dry wood to keep it going.

Use a Spark Screen

This metal mesh covers the top of the chiminea and prevents sparks and embers from flying out of the fire. Make sure it fits snugly over the top and is in good condition.

Don’t Overload It

Chimineas are not designed to hold large fires. Overloading one with too much wood can cause the fire to get out of control, posing a serious risk. Only use small pieces of wood and avoid stacking them too high. Don’t stuff garbage into your chiminea. Burning plastics releases harmful fumes and creates a lot of smoke.

Never Leave Fire Unattended

Even if you think the fire is under control, accidents can happen. Keep children and pets away from the fire, and always have an adult present to keep an eye on it. Extinguish it fully when you are finished.

Cool Before Cleaning

Even after a fire is extinguished, ash will still hold heat for some time. Wait a day or so after using your chiminea to clean it out. Use a brush or vacuum, and avoid water, which can damage clay chimineas.

Keep an Extinguisher Handy

Accidents can happen even if you take all the necessary precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of emergency. It’s also a good idea to keep a bucket of sand or water nearby in case you need to snuff out a few rogue flying embers.

Fire Safety is Important

In 2021, local fire departments in the U.S. responded to 1.35 million fires, which caused 3,800 civilian deaths and an estimated $15.9 billion in damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Many times, fires can be prevented if homeowners followed best practices for fire safety at home.

Brush Up On Fire Safety

Find out about other fire hazards in your home here.
Find more resources in our whole-home fire safety guide here.