Chimenea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A chimenea (chim-ih-nee-ah) (also spelled chiminea) is a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and usually a vertical smoke vent or chimney.
[edit] History
Originally, all clay open fire garden heaters imported from Mexico were known as chimeneas. As the story goes, chimeneas originated hundreds if not thousands of years ago by Mexican tribesmen who developed the chimeneas as a means of heating for their family as well as a vessel for cooking and baking. The original chimenea was designed to keep the rain off the fire and the family warm using merely a couple of sticks.
Chimineas have become a popular backyard and deck accessory. The burning of pinonwood is used for its aromatic scent and its bug repellent qualities. Unfortunately, the chimeneas currently imported are unable to withstand the thermal shock associated with a sudden down pour of rain. Admittedly the chimenea originates in Mexico where there is generally low rainfall and not exceptionally low temperatures and in general produces a radiant glow which is sufficient to keep warm. In Mexico, when the cooking pot or Chimenea cracked and fell apart, they simply scooped some more mud or river clay together and made another.
Chimeneas made from cast iron or aluminum are also available. They can be of traditional shape or of many different designs. Most are a total of about five feet high and about two feet across the firebox. Some have a grated door to close off the fireplace opening and a spark arrestor atop the stack. Metal chimeneas are much more durable than their clay cousins but are more expensive.
