Stay Warm on Cold Winter Days With Outdoor Fireplaces, Chimineas, Fire Bowls, and Fire Pits

Outdoor living areas become the most populated spots in a home during warmer months. Whether you spend afternoons reading pool-side or dinner times relaxing on the patio with good friends, spending as much time as possible outside in the fresh air is a priority for many home owners. As the days become far too cool for staying long outside, though, it's with much unwillingness that home owners return indoors for the long winter. Luckily, the season for enjoying those exterior living areas can be extended significantly with the use of an outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces come in a variety of types, including traditional outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, fire pits, and fire bowls. Choosing the best available option can sometimes feel daunting, though, but knowing more about each option can help in your decision.

For the most part, traditional outdoor fireplaces look similar to fireplaces you might see on the inside of a home. Many traditional outdoor fireplaces are rectangular in shape and feature a mesh metal door which swings open to allow easy access, and swings closed to keep sparks from flying out of the fire. Traditional outdoor fireplaces are not bland in their design, though. Whether your preferred style is one of clean lines or of romantically ornate decor, there is an outdoor fireplace to match that preference. In addition, most outdoor fireplaces provide you with 360 degree warmth, which creates an inviting space large enough to entertain multiple guests on chilly evenings.

A more utilitarian style of traditional outdoor fireplace is available, too, which suits many families' needs while at home or while on camping or other outdoor vacations. These outdoor fireplaces boast a round body and sturdy, often tubular metal legs. Some models of this kind of outdoor fireplace have two wheels which make it possible to move them easily. This more utilitarian of outdoor fireplaces provides the basic features without unnecessary embellishments.

A different kind of outdoor fireplace is the chiminea. Chimineas were originally developed in Mexico as a means for heating the home and cooking food. The design of the chiminea, which reminds one of a pot belly stove with a round, mostly enclosed firebox and tall stack, allows fires to light quickly and burn longer than in a traditional outdoor fireplace, which has an open firebox. Additionally, the design of chimineas keeps the rain from putting out a fire. Chimineas were traditionally constructed of clay or terra cotta, but for greater resilience and performance in cold climates, the preferred material for backyard chimineas is heavy duty metal, such as cast iron or cast aluminum. In cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions, clay or terra cotta chimineas tend to flake, crack, or crumble. Metal chimineas are beautifully designed and easily become the decorative focal point in any elegant outdoor living space. Chimineas are outdoor fireplaces with true personality and flair.

Fire bowls and fire pits are yet another type of outdoor fireplace available. Fire bowls and fire pits are usually smaller than traditional outdoor fireplaces, and the depth of the bowl or pit varies greatly. Larger capacity fire bowls or fire pits will hold more firewood and provide more warmth for those surrounding them. Fire bowls and fire pits can also be found in a wider variety of styles than traditional outdoor fireplaces. For example, materials used to construct fire bowls and fire pits range from durable and appealing metals like aged bronze, copper, or stainless steel to stone such as slate, marble, or granite. In addition, some fire bowls and fire pits are trimmed with attractive details like ceramic tile, metal scroll work, or outdoor motifs. Fire bowls and fire pits are versatile, too. Some fire bowls and fire pits can double as a grill for cooking out, and some can be found at the center of an outdoor dining table or patio table, making romantic dinners and private conversations all the more appealing. Many fire bowls and fire pits come with a mesh spark arrestor to help prevent embers from jumping out of the flames.

Selecting the best outdoor fireplace to match your style and needs may seem like a daunting task, but it is important to know that outdoor fireplaces are not a good fit for every backyard living area. Before selecting from the many outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, fire bowls, or fire pits, be sure that one can be used safely in your home's exterior living area. For example, many outdoor fireplaces cannot be used on or near wood decks or other wooden structures. While some of the portable traditional outdoor fireplaces can be taken into grassy areas and campgrounds, an ideal location for most of the outdoor fireplaces presented in this article would be a stone, brick, dirt, or concrete surface.