Clay or Ceramic Chimnea

[l00p]

In the past there have been threads about Chimnea v. Firepit (inground or above ground). I have always thought I wanted a pit that had a grill on it to cook things on. But I don't think so any longer. It would just be for warmth in the backyard. So now I gravitate to a Chimnea.

HEB has some for under 70 bucks which includes the stand, I think. Obviously these can withstand the heat but how durable are they and how long do they last?

I have seen some metal ones online that look cool but what is the major benefit of metal over ceramic?

I have a smoker (sort of) and a bbq grill to cook things or keep things warm on if need be so ne need to dirty up the heat source.

 

[01 grad]

I would go with ceramic. Clay would not hold its form very well.

My real answer is, I'm not sure about which is better. I do know that ceramic will retain heat better than metal. I also know that certain ceramic is vulnerable to freeze/thaw conditions. If you purchase a ceramic 'anything', for use outdoors where it is exposed to wet, it must be 'vitreous'. This means the clay in question was fired to a hot enough temp to make it imperveouss to water intrusion - water gets in and you have a freeze it may crack when thaw. If chimenea is under cover this is not issue,

 

[l00p]

I guess I need to ask somebody at HEB what they are made of and hopefully whoever made them addressed the issues you list. You would think they would.

I could just get a Play-Doh one from Mr. Bill Inc.

 

[pulque]

In reply to:

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[l00p]

The extra lead in that one helps a lot to spread warmth. Parts get hot and you can remove them and when they cool, kids can play with it. It is edible.

 

[CelisHorn]

I have a three hole chiminea, one of those clay ones straight from Mexico. We've had it for four years. I use the heck out of it when it gets cold, leave it out in the elements year round uncovered and generally don't maintain it. The thing is still solid with no cracks or issues. I'd go for the cheapy, but if you want a really good one I think that BGE makes a ceramic one now.

 

[l00p]

BGE? I am going to guess, Big Green Egg? The cooking thing people?

 

[Friday]

I have one piece of advice on the clay chimnea. Don't let your friend fall on it when he's drunk. It will shatter. That is all.