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This Blue Rooster chiminea is compact , versatile , and oh - so - trendy . Chimineas have long been pop in Mexico , where they ’ve been used for 100 of years to contain small-scale fires for heating and preparation . Today ’s models are mostly for entertainment , providing atmosphere for relaxing and entertaining .
I tested theSun Fire chimineafrom Blue Rooster as part of a turgid test to find thebest chimineasfor deck and patio use , and it took the top blot in the batting order . Keep reading to learn more about the Blue Rooster outdoor fireplace and why it could be the perfect improver to your backyard .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Blue Rooster Sun Fire Chiminea: At a Glance
Testing theSun FireChiminea
quiz theBlue Rooster chimineainvolved starting a flaming and psychoanalyze how well the chiminea imbibe dope through the stack without spewing red - hot sparks into the zephyr or onto the undercoat . I burned seasoned hickory and ash with a short bite of kindling I got from splitting scrap baseball bat .
I startle several fires in the stomach of the Sun Fire and notice how well the safety feature kept burn coal from becoming airborne . I also paid special attention to the calibre of the textile used to manufacture the chiminea . There ’s more than encounter the eye when it come in to this Blue Rooster wood - burn chiminea .
Setup and Assembly
TheSun Firecomes with two grates — one near the bottom of the ardour bowl that serves as a chopine to stack wood , and a secondly minuscule 9 - inch grate between the fire bowl and the peck . The second grating can be used for grilling a small amount of food . I grill a couple of hot dogs and they turned out great , but the grate ’s not big enough to manipulate up a mess of solid food for a family .
The chimney stack sits atop the ardor pipe bowl , and a removable spark arrester hook fits in the upper push-down stack porta . The Sun Fire also come with a hat that will keep unwanted rainwater out of the chiminea .
Heat Production
TheBlue Rooster chimineais made from cast atomic number 13 , so when a fire is roaring in the fire bowl , heat radiate from all side of meat . compare with cast branding iron and mud chimineas I ’ve used , it heats up relatively quickly but also cools down faster than the others . alike , while the outside of the Sun Fire got very warm to the touch , it did n’t get scorching hot like roam iron is prostrate to , and it still radiated passion from about 3 to 5 feet .
The most heat radiated from the opened front of the blast bowl , which is typical , and when I sit in front , I was toasty warm . The Sun Fire has a protective front grill that keep red-hot embers in spot , so I did n’t have to worry about popping blistering coal escaping and scoot out toward me .
I had to feast the fire ofttimes with more wood to keep it break , but that ’s to be expected in an 18 - inch fire bowl . Had I cut oak tree , it might have burned longer . If you ’d like to have a longer - lasting attack in the chiminea , tryburning a attack logthat ’s made to last 2 hours or farseeing .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Durability and Maintenance
stamp aluminum is very long-lived , and the Sun Fire does n’t expect much upkeep . However , practicing some introductory care is a good idea . After using the chiminea , rent it cool off down wholly and then embroil out the dusty ashes or utilise anash vacuumto sop up them out .
you may also wipe down the interior with a moist fabric to remove soot and residuum . If necessary , you’re able to apply a mild scoop solution , but avoid coarse chemical that could damage the finish . Blue Rooster includes a small shock of touch - up paint that can be used to cover scratches on the exterior .
I design to store the Sun Fire in my garage over the wintertime to prevent ice rink from building up , but if you do n’t have elbow room to store it in a garage or shed , Blue Rooster make achiminea coveryou might want to look at bribe to protect it .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Blue Rooster Chiminea: A Good Balance of Price and Quality
TheSun Fire chiminea from Blue Roostersells for $ 389 at both Amazon and Blue Rooster . That ’s somewhat more expensive than some chimineas but much less than others . It ’s one of Blue Roosters ’ more affordable models , but I did n’t find it cheaper in a material sense .
As a quality casting - aluminum chiminea , it can serve as a focal point for entertaining while offer oestrus and a minuscule cooking element . For my money , the Sun Fire is a smart littleoutdoor fireplacethat will provide heat and entertainment value for years to come .
Product Comparisons
So, is the Sun Fire chiminea right for you?
If you ’re look for a stylish outdoor chiminea to boost your backyard decor , theSun Fire from Blue Roosteris an excellent choice . It tack speedily , and it ’s made from lightweight cast aluminium that ’s durable and provides soothing warmth without becoming extremely hot to the touch .
The wood - burning chiminea come with a small cooking grate for those time you ’d care to grill a duad of live dogs or burgers . I prefer it over a mold - smoothing iron chiminea , which can get hazardously hot , and stiff , which tends to develop cracks over prison term . It ’s a thoroughgoing alternative for family gatherings and intimate evenings outdoors .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractile organ , product tester , and author focusing primarily on construction , DIY tools , and dwelling gadget .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll serve you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a promote bed , or an in - ground plot of ground out back — and select the right-hand plant for your soil and area .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
