Can You Use A Chiminea On A Wood Deck?

Are you one of those people that love to spend time outside and wish you could do it all year round? The winter months can be a bummer for outdoor lovers, especially in places with cold climates. There are a few options to generate heat outdoors, such as fire pits or patio heaters.

But if you’re like me, décor matters. And so does being warm. A chiminea is a beautiful outdoor fireplace that generates a lot of heat. However, you must be careful about where you place them in your backyard.

Safety professionals strongly urge you NOT to put your chiminea on a wood deck because it poses a significant fire hazard. The safest option is to set it on a fire-resistant surface, such as stone, brick, or concrete. It can be placed on a wood deck only if it’s on top of a fire-resistant surface and monitored at all times.

While it’s best to place your chiminea elsewhere, safety measures can be taken in order to put it on your wooden deck.

First, you must put it on a base made of brick, stone, concrete, or other fire-resistant materials. You cannot place the chiminea directly on the wood. Creating a base of fire-resistant materials ensures that they won’t act as heat conductors. Therefore, the wood deck beneath shouldn’t reach a flammable heat level.

Fire pit mats are another option to protect your deck. These are specially made mats that act as a heat barrier between the chiminea and the deck.

It’s a good idea to keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby when using the chiminea. This way you can quickly extinguish any sparks or stray flames before damage is done.

That being said, you MUST monitor the chiminea at all times. Do not walk away while the chiminea is burning, or you risk a fire catching before you can extinguish it.

Knowing the best weather in which to use your chiminea is another way to minimize fire risks. Avoid burning a chiminea during dry and windy weather. Any type of wind can carry sparks. The higher the wind the further the sparks will travel. If the weather has been dry, wood and leaves are more likely to catch fire.

Placing a spark stopper at the top of a chiminea’s funnel protects you and your surroundings from escaping embers. You can DIY one out of chicken wire or purchase a fire pit spark stopper.

If you build the fire too big, you’ll see flames coming out the front or the top funnel. Not only is this a major fire hazard, but the extremely high temperatures from a big fire could damage your chiminea.

Aside from making sure the surface on which you put the chiminea is safe, you should also choose its location with caution. As mentioned before, a wooden deck is not an ideal place for a chiminea, specifically because of its proximity to the house.

Ideally, a chiminea should be placed 10 feet from structures and overhanging trees or awnings.

A chiminea is designed so that the smoke is funneled through the top. Anything flammable that’s directly in its path is in danger of catching fire.

Related Questions

Is a chiminea safer than a fire pit?

If you follow all the above-mentioned safety protocols, then yes, a chiminea is usually safer than a fire pit. The chiminea’s funnel directs the flames and smoke up and out, keeping them further away from people and surroundings.

Do you have to put sand in the bottom of a chiminea?

Putting at least three inches of sand in the bottom of a chiminea protects it from the heat. A metal wood rack can also be used to raise the wood. By burning the wood on either sand or a raised metal rack, you protect the chiminea from direct flames, giving it a longer lifespan.

Can you use a chiminea on a covered porch?

A chiminea should NOT be used on a covered porch or a gazebo. Because the flames are directed up and out, the ceiling of either structure is at risk of catching fire. Chimineas should only be used outside in the open air.