Why Buy a Patio Fireplace?

Light up your nights with a patio fireplace

Outdoor fireplaces combine the adventure and fun of entertaining outside with the comfort and luxury of the indoors. Suitable for providing heat, light, and ambiance on a patio, in the backyard, at a campsite or even on the beach, these compact units come in a variety of shapes and finishes to accommodate any decor or natural setting. An outdoor patio fireplace turns a patio into an outdoor room, a fully useable extension of the interior. While any number of variations on the basic theme exists, outdoor fireplaces generally fall into three distinct categories based on their shape: fire pits, fireplaces, and chimineas.

Fireplaces

Like its larger, indoor cousin, an outdoor fireplace consists of a hearth, a body, and a chimney and may or may not have doors to enclose the fire. Outdoor fireplaces can burn wood or gas, ideally running from the same system as a grill or other outdoor cooking accessories. Some units are built in to existing walls and structures, while the smallest units come in portable varieties. An outdoor fireplace may smoke in a high wind, so placing the unit in a sheltered position is highly advisable.

Fire pits

Fire pits (sometimes called fire bowls) tend to be smaller and more portable than fireplaces. These units, most often constructed from enameled steel or cast iron, provide a compact, largely decorative holder for a small fire. The main burning bowl stands atop a frame, usually made of wrought iron or some other highly decorative element. Since they are portable, they can be set up anywhere that sparks do not pose a danger. An outdoor fire pit burns wood, charcoal, or pressed wood logs. Some basic assembly of the unit may be required before its initial use.

Chimineas

Increasingly popular over the last decade, a chiminea offers the convenience of a portable unit with the handsome looks of a permanent model. Based on Mexican adobe fireplaces, chimineas consist of an enclosed burning chamber attached to a chimney tube. Although purists use clay models based on artisanal practices, modern manufacturers enlist everything from aluminum to terra cotta to craft these useful and flexible fireplaces. Since they don't attach to any permanent ducts or fuel supply lines, chimineas can be set up almost anywhere, as long as adequate ventilation and protection from strong winds can be assured.

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