There is nothing quite like the atmosphere created by an open sky, twinkling stars
and a warm fire. Many people now bring their living areas into the outdoors and
choose an outdoor fireplace for warmth on cool summer or winter nights. There are
many fireplace designs to choose from and this guide will help you determine which
fireplace style will best meet your needs.
Outdoor Fireplace Styles
There are several different designs of outdoor fireplaces available today for purchase.
These designs are really variations of four different fireplace styles: chiminea,
fire pit, fire ring, and the conventional fireplace.
Some manufacturers disagree on the naming convention for each fireplace style. During
your search for the perfect fireplace, you may find similar styles from different
manufacturers called completely different names. Even so, knowing how to compare
these four different styles can help you in making a satisfying purchase.
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Chiminea is similar to the Spanish word “chimenea”, which
means “fireplace” or “chimney”. Most chimineas have a large belly with a single
opening on the front and a tall chimney with an opening at the top. Some chimineas
can have multiple openings in the belly or may be open all the way around (with
a grating). The important aspect of a chiminea is its overall ventilation concept.
The design of the chiminea allows for an efficient cross-draft that promotes proper
burning of the wood as well as proper venting of the smoke.
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The advantage of a chiminea is that it is somewhat portable and that the chimney
safely removes the smoke from the area of the fire-gazers for their health and comfort.
Chimineas were originally fabricated from clay, but modern
chimineas can be made from cast iron, cast aluminum, or copper too. The classic
chiminea has a round Hispanic or Southwestern decorative design and is usually labeled
by the manufacturer or retailer as a “chiminea”. Some chimineas may have straight
lines and rectangular or pyramidal designs and may be labeled as a “fireplace” or
“firebox” rather than a “chiminea”.
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There are several different types of fire pits available
and some manufacturers disagree on what constitutes a fire pit. Some manufacturers
call their fire pits “fireplaces” while others call their fire pits “fire bowls”.
To help avoid confusion, this guide will consider a fire pit to be a bowl, pot,
or a pit type structure (without a chimney or vent) used to contain a fire. Fire
pits may be constructed with an open flame or a grill covering for cooking or spark
protection.
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The advantage of purchasing a fire pit is that most basic
fire pits are somewhat inexpensive (depending on the materials of construction)
and they are either portable with wheels or can be easily picked up and moved after
their initial installation. (The exception here being fire pits constructed of masonry
materials.) The disadvantage to owning a fire pit is that the construction is not
conducive for efficient wood burning or venting, which may make for a very smoky
night out.
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A fire ring is similar to a fire pit with the exception
that the fire ring is placed directly on the ground around a camp fire. The purpose
of the fire ring is to simply contain the burning logs and, in some cases, provide
a cooking surface. Fire ring brands include Yukon Tool and Arctic Products.
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The advantage of purchasing a fire ring is that fire rings are extremely portable
and inexpensive. They can also be used with a grating for cooking. The disadvantage
to a fire ring is that it can only be placed directly on the ground, can create
quite a bit of smoke, and may be more prone to causing injuries than fireplaces
with covers that are well above the ground level and in a walker’s line-of-sight.
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The style of fireplace (shown in the picture on the right)
is what most people think of when they think “fireplace”. The outdoor fireplace
is similar to an indoor fireplace complete with doors and/or spark screen for protected
viewing of the flames, louvers for heat control, and interior masonry or flame-resistant
surfaces for durability and aesthetics. Most outdoor fireplaces of this style are
purchased as a unit that does not include the exterior surrounding brickwork, mantle
or hearth. Well known brands include Lennox Hearth and Monessen Hearth.
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The advantage of purchasing this style of outdoor fireplace is that it allows for
efficient burning and venting of smoke (or products of combustion) away from you
and your neighbors. This fireplace style completely and safely contains the fire
while allowing the fire to effectively provide radiant heating to a seating area.
The disadvantage of this style of fireplace is that it tends to be more expensive
than other styles. This style is also larger than other styles of outdoor fireplaces
and requires permanent and more complex installation that may also require the help
of a contractor.
Outdoor Fireplace Features to Consider
Fuel Type
There are three basic types of fuel to choose from when considering an outdoor fireplace:
wood, natural gas (NG) and liquid propane (LP). Fireplaces labeled as “gas burning”
can be fabricated to be fueled by either natural gas or liquid propane. If you enjoy
outdoor living and the smell of burning logs, you may opt for a wood burning fire
place. If you enjoy the atmosphere that an outdoor fire brings, but want to avoid
the messy ash and smoke of a wood burning fire, natural gas or propane may be a
good choice for you. If you are considering natural gas or propane, keep in mind
that the natural gas option requires the installation of piping to get the gas from
your home to the outdoor fireplace. The propane option may require piping from a
large propane tank that is either adjacent to or some distance away from the fireplace.
Similar to an outdoor gas grill, some fireplaces are also designed to receive a
small propane tank dedicated to the fireplace itself.
Materials of Construction
Outdoor fireplaces should be constructed to withstand the heat of a roaring fire
and also the cold and rain of the outdoors. Fire pits and chimineas constructed
of thin painted steel or clay are usually not as durable as those constructed of
stainless steel, cast iron or cast aluminum and, therefore, should be carefully
cared for and possibly even stored indoors during the cold winter months.
Copper is often chosen for its durability, rich color and shine. If you are considering
copper as a material of construction, please remember that copper will not stay
a fresh, shiny copper color for very long. After a few uses, the material will dull
and patina (turn a grayish-greenish color).
If you are selecting cast iron for its durability, be aware that cast iron does
rust and you may be instructed by the manufacturer to perform periodic paint touchups
to the cast iron surface.
Portability
Some outdoor fireplaces are portable and some are stationary. Many fire pits are
actually fabricated with wheels so that they can be moved around your property easily.
This quality can be very attractive for people who have several areas in their yard
suitable for outdoor entertaining or for those products or climates that require
a fireplace to be stored indoors when not in use.
Because fire rings are smaller than other fireplace styles, fire rings are great
for portability and campers that like to travel for their outdoor adventures. In
addition, some fire rings are constructed for portability by being easily folded
or dismantled for travel.
Chimineas and some fire pits can be moved once they are initially placed on your
property, but their size and weight may make it very inconvenient to move them often.
Cooking Surface
If you enjoy entertaining and cooking outside, consider integrating an outdoor cooking
surface into your outdoor fireplace. Many fireplaces come with grills or attachments
to make outdoor cooking easy and enjoyable. California Outdoor Concepts offers a
fire pit/patio table combination that brings the cooking surface and the fire glow
right to the dining table.
Size and Location
When considering which fireplace style to purchase, you should consider the size
and potential location of your future fireplace. Some units are small and can be
placed almost anywhere, but some are very large and require an additional masonry
surround that will add to the overall dimensions. When choosing a large masonry
fireplace, verify that there is ample room on your property for installation as
well as adequate clearance from your house and the house of your neighbors.
Many fireplace manufacturers will provide installation instructions to help you
determine the proper site of your potential fireplace. Certain clearances should
be maintained from combustible structures as well as windows and air intakes on
your house. Consult these instructions before your purchase and during installation.
Fire Codes
Many cities or districts have strict fire codes that dictate the style of outdoor
fireplace and the clearance from your fireplace to an adjacent property, combustible
structure, air intake or appliance. Before purchasing or installing your new fireplace
it is best to either consult the local fire codes for guidance or contact your city
or district code’s official.
Price Range
Chiminea
Chimineas typically range in price from $150 to $550 depending on size, material,
décor, attachments and fuel options. A wood burning, steel chiminea without decorative
finishes will cost approximately $150. A wood burning, heavy-duty cast iron chiminea
with rain guard and ash pan may range in cost from $300 to $500. A heavy-duty cast
aluminum chiminea with decorative finishes may cost $400 to $550.
Fire Pit
Fire pits come in various shapes, sizes and designs and can range in price from
approximately $90 to $3,000. Like a chiminea, the price of a fire pit depends on
size, materials of construction, design, attachments and fuel options.
A basic small (approximately 20-inches in diameter) wood burning fire pit (like
that offered by Artic Products) constructed of steel with a black coating can be
purchased for under $100 while larger sizes with this same basic construction can
be purchased for as much as $200. A liquid propane unit with this same construction
can cost as much as $300.
Stainless steel and copper wood burning fire bowls can be purchased for as little
as $100 or as much as $300.
A more expensive fire pit, such as a FireScapes fire pit, is fueled with natural
gas and decorated with a stone veneer that blends nicely with stone landscaping.
Fire pits in various sizes and with various types of stone veneer can range in price
from approximately $1,500 to $2,500.
The most expensive type of fire pit is constructed as the centerpiece for a patio
table. These table/fire pit combinations (offered by California Outdoor Concepts)
are mainly fueled with propane and can range in price from about $2,000 to $3,000.
Fire Ring
Fire rings, like those offered by Plow & Hearth and Yukon Tool and Artic; normally
range in price from $50 for steel rings to $100 for cast iron rings.
Fireplace
When pricing fireplaces like those offered by Lennox Hearth and Monessen Hearth,
be aware that the price of the actual fireplace (or fire box) is only a portion
of the cost for the entire installation. Additional dollars will be required to
provide the mantle, hearth, surround and gas connections (if required). The price
ranges presented below only include the fireplace unit provided by the retailer.
The price of a fireplace is mostly dependent on size and fuel type. Typical sizes
for fireplaces are 36-inch width, 42-inch width and 43-inch width.
A 36-inch width wood burning fireplace can range in price from approximately $500
to $1,000. A 42-inch or 43-inch wood burning fireplace can range in price from approximately
$1,300 to $1,800.
Gas burning fireplaces tend to be more expensive than wood burning fireplaces and
will range in price from $1,500 to $2,300 with larger units priced at the more expensive
end of the spectrum.
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