By: David Caban
Website: http://www.best-in-patio-furniture.com

Preparing a Clay Chiminea for Use as an Outdoor Fireplace

Before you start to use your clay chiminea (or chimenia), you need to complete two preparation steps. First, you need to seal the outside of the bowl and neck. Second, you need to seal the inside of the firebox with a series of small fires in the bowl of the outdoor fireplace. The guidelines below will help you prepare your clay chiminea for regular use.

Seal the Outside of Your Clay Chiminea

When you have bought a clay chiminea, it is important to seal the outside surface before you begin regular using it on a regular basis. There are always small holes and pores in the surface of the clay as well as hairline cracks that might break under the heat of use. These pores and cracks will also let moisture into the surface that can also cause your clay fireplace to break when heated.

In order to seal the outside surface, you will need a liquid product used for sealing wood and clay products. Use a sealer such as Future acrylic floor finish, Thompson’s Water Seal, or Butchers Wax. You can find these at your local grocery store or home center. Apply with a spray bottle or as directed to the outer surface, and rub it into the surface of your clay chiminea with a rag. (Do not apply any of the sealing products mentioned above to the inside clay of the firebox!)

Season Your Chiminea

After you have sealed the outside of your clay chiminea with a water-sealing product, you need to “season” or prepare the inside of the firebox for regular fires. You season your fireplace by burning five to 10 small fires and letting the soot and ashes seal the pores and cracks naturally.

First put sand in the firebox. Sand will protect the clay bottom of the bowl from the extreme heat of the coals. Usually, three inches of play sand will suffice.

Next, build a small fire with kindling and up to two other small pieces of wood. Let the fire burn out naturally, and let the chiminea completely cool. Then, build another small fire and repeat the process. You should burn five to 10 small fires in this fashion to completely season the fireplace for regular use.

Start Regular Fires

Once you have sealed the outside surface and seasoned your outdoor fireplace with several small fires, you’re ready to begin building larger fires in your clay chiminea. Remember, the goal is to provide a warm gathering place and conversation place for your outdoor events. Invite some friends over and warm up on cool nights with your chiminea!

(Note: There are several accepted spellings for a mexican fireplace. The common spellings are: chiminea, chimenea, chiminia, chimenia.)

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About The Author:

David Caban is a successful author and publisher of http://www.best-in-patio-furniture.com. A one-stop source of free information on patio furniture and outdoor décor for patios, decks and porches.