Chiminea ? Buy It for the Versatility of Enjoying Both Fireplace and Grill!
I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of grilled salmon and baked potatoes, done to perfection in their chiminea. The sun was setting and it was cooling down but overall a wonderful summer evening. We wanted to converse and eventually, eat our meal outdoors. The bonus: the chiminea offered us warmth and the smoke kept some of the mosquitoes at bay (some still got us). I must say, as well as being a great evening, that was one of the most delicious pieces of salmon I've ever eaten. Chimineas date back to 17th century Mexico, where they were used as ovens to bake bread, were for cooking and also a source of heat. The chiminea was usually placed near a window or in the center of the hut to allow smoke to escape. They were made of clay since it was the most readily available material in the area. Today cast iron, copper and cast aluminum are the materials of choice for most chimineas although you can still purchase ones made of clay. What to consider when choosing a chiminea Chimineas really are for outdoor use only. If you need a fireplace for indoors this is not a good choice. So where to start? Chimineas are tall and narrow and really make sense if you don't have a large space but want an area for a fire. Don't go too small on the fire area though, or you will be chopping your wood into bite-sized chimenea pieces to fit the opening. If don't need portability you can go heavier and larger. You may also want to choose a model that has a grate that can be added or removed for cooking. Some of the more popular patio and deck chimineas are made of cast iron. Choose from round, leaf, and designer cast iron chimineas designed for year round use. These cast iron fireplaces are designed to be sturdy and provide long lasting heat retention. Deck, patio and outdoor chimineas store easily and should be covered with a chiminea cover during the off season for protection. Copper and cast aluminum are also popular choices with the latter being the heaviest, most ornate and needing the least maintenance. See: http://www.outdoor-fireplaces-and-patio-heaters.com/chiminea.htm Another consideration is the type of wood you burn. Best choice is pinon wood or other hardwoods. Pinon has the added advantage of helping to repel mosquitoes. Mesquite is also another option. Definitely stay away from pressure treated woods or anything that has been chemically treated ? especially if you are planning to cook on the fire. Once you are ready to use your chiminea, start out with a small fire and build from there. And even if you don't live in the more fire prone regions of the country it is always a good idea to have some water or a fire extinguisher nearby, especially if you are in a small backyard. Outdoor chiminea fireplaces are great addition for the pool area, garden, deck, or patio where you will be kept warm outside to enjoy the immense pleasures of a fire as well as cooking outdoors with friends or family. Nicole Martins is a contributing author and publisher to http://www.outdoor-fireplaces-and-patio-heaters.com, an online resource that provides you with information, articles of interest and reviews of the best outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters online.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
10 Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season
The 2005 hurricane season is right around the corner and runs for six months from June 1, 2005 to November 30, 2005. According to a recent survey from the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, the residents in hurricane prone states -- from Maine to Texas -- aren't anywhere near prepared for what they might face. Here are 10 quick tips to help you prepare.
Pool Decks ? Add Ambiance to Your Above Ground Pool
Above ground pools are beloved by many and have gained in popularity over the years. Pool decks could be one reason why this is the case. You will never again have to climb a swimming pool ladder or wonder why you don't use your pool as much as you should. Landscaping around above ground pools and adding pool lights make a fantastic presentation and enhance any patio décor. Decks are not just a cover for the sides of the pool. They serve as protection, just as lights would serve as safety and protection for your family. Decks for a pool don't have to be terribly complicated to construct. They need to be non-slip, and well drained. They can be made of wood as a normal home's deck may be, or they can be constructed of tile or concrete. You are wise to consider alternatives for your deck besides wood.
Installing Vinyl Replacement Sliding Glass Doors
Last week I told you how to remove your old sliding glass door in preparation for the installation of the vinyl replacement door. Let's go through the installation procedure for both the Retrofit style and replacement style frames.
Measuring For Your Vinyl Replacement Windows
Let's say you're tired of those old wood windows, and you decide it's time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. You get 2 or 3 contractors to come out and give you an estimate. After they leave, you can't believe windows can cost so much. I mean, having to get financing to replace your windows just doesn't seem right. Let me explain to you why the windows are so expensive. You have to pay the salary of the salesman who comes over to give you your "free" estimate. Then, you have to pay the salary of the installers. Finally, you have to pay the owner of the company. In some cases there is a broker who acts as a middleman, and he or she gets a cut too. No wonder you need financing!
Your Building Your Dream Home, But Where Do You Start?
You have finally found the perfect lot, in the neighborhood of your choice, and at a price you can afford. Now you have to decide what type of house you want built. In fact you may even know the house you want, be it a big rambling farmhouse, with a wrap-a-round porch reminiscent of your grandmother's home, a rustic log cabin or a more modern luxurious home. Whatever you choose, the first thing you will need is a set of house plans.
Deck Decorating
On my blog, I once wrote about life on the Veranda - a favorite Southern, summer pastime.
Selecting Color Schemes
Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a daunting task at times, especially if nothing about the room initially jumps out at you. If you find yourself without a particular color preference for a room, you might begin by picking color combinations that are inspired by a favorite fabric pattern. Patterns usually have a group of complimentary colors, and using variations within the same group of colors throughout the house will lend your entire home a sense of harmony.
The Benefits of Closet Dehumidifiers
If your clothes are getting moist and musty, and stretched out or otherwise deformed as a result, the closet or cabinet they're hanging in is too humid.
Electrical Safety and Power Tools
Power tools are one of the greatest conveniences for getting handyman jobs and professional jobs done quickly, but since power tools often run on electricity, it is essential that safety instructions are followed.
New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen
For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of the companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, the most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC). The HEC based thixotropic additives is produced by some of the renowned multi-national companies such as Hercules, Akzo Nobel & Dow.
Allow Me to Introduce You to the Fungus Family
What exactly is mold? There are over 100,000 different kinds of mold in the world so it is literally everywhere. Molds are organisms and are members of the fungus family. Mushrooms, mildew and yeast are also part of this lucky family. They have been given the job in nature of decomposing dead plant material such as leaves, bark, wood etc. If we didn't have mold we would be finding ourselves totally covered by a pile of leaves. We also wouldn't enjoy eating cheese or using penicillin because they wouldn't exist if it wasn't for mold. However, as with some family members, we love them when they aren't visiting our house. We enjoy talking on the phone or sending e-mails, but they need to stay at their place. When mold starts digesting organic material in the home, that's where the problems occur.
Planning Permission Tips UK - Pre-application Enquiries to the Council - Is the Delay Worthwhile?
The holiday season is now in full swing & for about the next 6 weeks we tend to see a noticeable downturn in the level of new enquiries which I think is pretty much typical amongst most services. This, for us, is a time when we normally attend to the updating & improvement of our internal administration, so the forecasted lull over the coming weeks will be put to good use. The strange thing is that your Local Planning Departments tend to cite the opposite & correspondence suddenly goes unanswered or the Case Officer dealing with your application is off yet again on another 3 week jaunt.
How to Be Your Air Conditioner?s Best Friend
There are a few things you can do to take care of your air conditioner and make its life a little longer and a little easier.
The Right Bathroom Accessories Will Make Your Bathroom Unforgetable
Bathrooms aren't just about the basics but are about the bathroom accessories! Bathrooms have become places to relax and unwind. They are not just for doing your business and leaving. People have spent time in designing a place to find peace and quiet! And the bathroom accessories that you have in there will help accomplish this!
Comparing Types Of Conservatory Blinds
The cost of furnishing a conservatory can catch many people out, in fact it can often cost more than the conservatory itself. Conservatory Blinds can be very expensive so it is important to know what the choices are and what value a particular blind will bring. This article looks at the most common types and discusses the individual merits of each one.
Improving Your Bottom Line Through Vastu
The design of your office and home has a great influence on your financial success. If your work or living environments are in harmony with nature they have a positive affect on your prosperity.
Tuscan Style Decorating For The Kitchen
A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm into your kitchen and make it a warm homey room to gather in. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a time worn look. Although the look is of a centuries old kitchen you can achieve it without having to buy priceless antiques.
Buying the Right Garage Door Opener
If you have recently built a new garage you might be having a difficult time deciding on the right garage door opener. It is certainly something that seems simple at first. Once you start looking around you will find there is allot of choices. Here is a buying guide to help you along.
3 Great Reasons to Shop for Home Lighting Online
If you are a consumer who knows just what brand or style of lighting fixtures you are looking to buy, the internet can save you money. Conversely, if you are just learning about what lighting fixtures, interior and exterior, are available for your home, the internet is a great place to get educated.
Trading in Corporate Office for Home Office
Six years ago, I had not yet turned on a computer. Today I run several successful Internet Businesses and by me being a single parent of 4 children my friends calls me a marketing expert.
|
