Anybody got a chiminea that looks nice and lasts?

[wahoowad]

I bought this steel chiminea a few years back, probably was one of popular ones on Amazon. People said it would rust bad and they were right. At first I didn’t care since it was only for occasional deck use, but it really does look crappy and is a rusty, scaly mess to handle when moving.

So steel ones are gonna rust out quick from the heat. Terra cotta one’s absorb moisture and fall apart. Anybody got a decent model that might endure time a little better?

 

[Bad LP]

I have a Big Green Egg chiminea that looks as good as the day I brought it home about 5 years ago. I'll admit it's kinda small but it has held up very well.

 

[jetsam]

 

[JSeery]

Do you have access to an old washing machine drum? They make great fire pits (see my profile pic). Can also buy one off Etsy if you want it more polished/fancy. All the drainage holes make for a great burn.

 

[Boiler74]

Solo stove bonfire. Not a chiminea but dang not smelling like smoke is awesome. They are releasing a Yukon model that’s a lot larger. Not cheap but I love it. And it’s a great way to use up shorts and uglies....

https://www.solostove.com/solo-stove-bonfire/

 

[VirginiaIron]

I've got a similar one and so long as it doesn't crack when it freezed I didn't care. I have thought about applying stove black or extra high heat paint or butter or oil and just maintaining it but that won't last outdoors.

 

[VirginiaIron]

View attachment 231350

Are those the real flames? I would think the flames would be more vertical at the mouth area.

 

[jetsam]

Either it is drafting like crazy, it's a lucky photo, there's a fuel source up top, or it's photoshopped. No idea.

 

[spirilis]

Solo stove bonfire. Not a chiminea but dang not smelling like smoke is awesome. They are releasing a Yukon model that’s a lot larger. Not cheap but I love it. And it’s a great way to use up shorts and uglies....

https://www.solostove.com/solo-stove-bonfire/

Those Solo Stove products are awesome. I have the smaller Campfire (large-ish camp stove that I double as a tiny firepit) and the secondary combustion works beautifully, the nichrome wire grate holds up really well (with purple-white hot coals down there) and I have burned pellets in mine by adding a 7" round stainless chainmail scrubber as a supplemental grate (so pellets don't fall into the ash pan).

 

[twd000]

hated my chiminea; tossed it in favor of an old porcelain-coated Morso 1125 wood stove. Longevity is TBD, but it looks a heck of a lot better, and doesn't let the smoke swirl nearly as bad now that I stuck a few feet of 8" pipe on it.