Best chimineas 2022: clay, steel, and cast iron chimineas for your garden

Pick up one of the best chimineas for natural patio heating all year round, featuring wood-fired chimineas from MADE, La Hacienda, and Argos

Best chimineas
(Image credit: Argos)

Buying the best chimineas can be tricky, because there are so many to choose from. In our best chimineas guide we've included clay, steel, and hardy cast iron chimineas for wood-fired warmth all year round.

There are few things in life more cosy than the crackling of a wood fire, and with the best chiminea you can capture all of the charm of the best fire pits, but without the open flame. 

Because they have in-built chimneys, the best chimineas can be safer and more suitable for smaller gardens. Some even come with grill inserts, which means you can give the BBQ a break. 

There's also a huge range of styles to choose from, so whether it's a rustic clay chiminea or a sleek and durable cast iron or steel chiminea, we've found some fantastic options from MADE, Argos, La Hacienda and more. Keep reading for our full list of the best chimineas in 2021. 

The best chimineas for your garden

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best chiminea

(Image credit: Dunlem)

1. Steel Chiminea With Wood Storage

Best chiminea with storage: can be used with wood or charcoal

Specifications

Material: Steel
Size: H136.3 x W38.4cm

Reasons to buy

+
Multi-fuel chiminea design
+
Raised design
+
Designed to age over time

Reasons to avoid

-
Needs to be stored away when not in use

The Steel Chiminea With Wood Storage from All Things Brighton Beautiful is a lovely modern chiminea. It's got storage for firewood built right in, and has a sturdy square frame. 

Modern design

If you want the best chiminea for modern style, the Steel Chiminea With Wood Storage is made of sturdy steel and comes with a square frame. The chimney is tall and circular and straight, perfect for those who want a tall but slim chiminea.

Storage built in

No need to worry about where you'll keep your firewood, because the Steel Chiminea With Wood Storage has a square storage area directly underneath its frame. You can use charcoal and wood, but avoid coal. 

Best chimineas

(Image credit: La Hacienda)

2. Black Steel Chiminea

Best chiminea for classic style: a classic look

Specifications

Material: Steel
Size: H90x W37cm

Reasons to buy

+
Two sizes
+
Decorative design
+
Mesh door and rain lid included

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the largest

If you want a chiminea with a classic and more traditional look, this is the top pick for you. It's made of steel and has curved accent legs.

Two sizes

A great choice for most gardens, the Garden Leisure Black Steel Chiminea comes in two sizes. The medium size is 90cm high and 37cm wide, and the large size is 110cm high and the same width. 

Weather resistant

The Garden Leisure Black Steel Chiminea is made of steel and coated in weather reistant paint. There is also an included rain lid to prevent the inside from getting wet

Aldi Gardenline

(Image credit: Aldi)

3. Gardenline Outdoor Log Burner

Best large chiminea: with storage space for wood and an open display

Specifications

Material: Steel
Size: 94 x 82 x 45cm

Reasons to buy

+
Open design
+
Wide and perfect for groups
+
In-built storage

Reasons to avoid

-
Steel will rust over time

Aldi's Gardenline Outdoor Log Burner is one of the more attractive chimineas on the market, and it's great for those who want a chiminea that can be used when entertaining. 

Wide and open

The dimensions are generous, especially for the price, and the lifted chimney on top will make sure that your fire gets plenty of fresh air to keep it going all night long. 

Value

The brushed steel effect is effortless and relaxed, and while it will rust over time, this will definitely add character.

As with all of Aldi's Gardenline range, it's immensely good value. 

Best chimineas

(Image credit: MADE)

4. MADE Abura Metal Chimenea

Best large chiminea: a modern design with large proportions for entertaining

Specifications

Material: Steel
Size: H106 x W55

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek gold base
+
No assembly needed
+
Matte finish

Reasons to avoid

-
It will rust naturally over time 

Pure style and large in size, the MADE Abura Metal Chimenea is a sleek chiminea for modern gardens.

Large design

106cm high and 55cm wide, the MADE Abura Metal Chimenea is larger than most chimineas out there and perfect for entertaining or larger spaces.

Modern finish

With a gold base, this chiminea adds a pop of gold to tie in to any garden decoration. It's easy to assemble, as the chimney slots easily onto the base, and storage will be easy as it only weighs 9.85kg. 

best chiminea

(Image credit: MADE)

5. MADE Dakryn Chiminea

Best looking chiminea: a sleek concrete look

Specifications

Material: Iron & concrete
Size: H76 x W35cm

Reasons to buy

+
Concrete design
+
Easy to clean
+
Sleek and durable look

Reasons to avoid

-
No lid or grate

Simple and classic, the MADE Dakryn Chiminea is a stylish choice for any garden. It's a medium size and made of durable concrete.

Sturdy

Steel and concrete combine to make a weatherproof chiminea. It's a shame there's no rain lid, but you can cover when not in use. 

Minimalistic

Some steel chimineas rust as time goes on, but the black concrete finish of the MADE Dakryn Chiminea makes it more durable than many chimineas. 

Best chiminea

(Image credit: La Hacienda)

6. La Hacienda Colorado Steel Chiminea

Best 360 chiminea: enjoy this chiminea from all angles

Specifications

Material: Steel
Size: H120 x W43cm

Reasons to buy

+
360-degree design
+
Fuel grate and safety tool included
+
Steel construction

Reasons to avoid

-
No rain lid or waterproof design

The La Hacienda Colorado Steel Chiminea is a top choice for those who want a chiminea to entertain the whole family on evenings in the garden. 

360-degree design

The mesh grate covers all around the chiminea, so you can enjoy the heat and flames even when sat in a circle in the evenings.

Modern design

The La Hacienda Colorado Steel Chiminea has a modern look, featuring an angular chimney and triangular body. 

La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea

(Image credit: La Hacienda)

7. La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea

Best clay chiminea: an affordable and simple clay chiminea

Specifications

Material: Clay
Size: H70 x D30 x W30cm

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly affordable
+
Steel stand and rain lid
+
Simple floral design

Reasons to avoid

-
Needs to be covered when left outside

If you want the best clay chiminea, the La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea is our top pick. It has an embossed floral design and comes with a metal stand included. 

Affordable

Most chimineas cost around £100, making the La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea a super affordable option. 

Compact

It's on the smaller side with a 70cm height and 30cm width. It will be too small for some gardens but if you're dealing with a smaller space, the La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea is a perfect choice. 

Kilya Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill

(Image credit: Garden Leisure)

8. Garden Leisure Kilya Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill

Best chiminea with grill: the two piece design separates for cooking

Specifications

Material: Clay
Size: H84cm x W39cm

Reasons to buy

+
Grill insert
+
Striking clay design
+
Hand painted Inca detail

Reasons to avoid

-
Smaller than most

Want something to take the place of the best BBQ as well as being a chiminea? The Garden Leisure Kilya Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill is a great choice.

Grill feature

Remove the chimney top of the Garden Leisure Kilya Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill for a multi-functional cooking area. It also comes with a grill and cooking tool included. 

All-weather design

The clay design is painted with a striking Inca pattern, and there's a rain lid to prevent the inside getting wet. 

Best chimineas

(Image credit: Amazon)

9. zxz Cast Iron Chiminea

Best cast iron chiminea: durable and high quality

Specifications

Material: Cast iron
Size: H115 x W38cm

Reasons to buy

+
Design is not prone to rust
+
Easy to assemble
+
Modern design

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest

The zxz Cast Iron Chiminea is a lovely looking chiminea that's available to buy straight from Amazon. It's got a cast iron design that's not prone to rust, and assembly is easy.

Self assembly requires

You do have to assemble the zxz Cast Iron Chiminea yourself, but it comes in only a few pieces and slots easily together. 

Safe design

The mesh front on the zxz Cast Iron Chiminea is designed to lock into place for safely containing your firewood or charcoal. 

What are chimineas used for? 

best chiminea

(Image credit: MADE)

Along with the best pizza oven and the best BBQ, the best chimineas sell out fast every year. That's because they're perfect for garden entertaining. 

Where to buy the best chimineas

Chimineas serve two purposes. They're great for creating heat in your garden and acting as an alternative to the best patio heaters, and some of the top 360-degree chimineas will heat everyone who sits around it.

Another reason to buy the best chiminea is for the heat they create. By creating a crackling fire from wood or charcoal, these garden heaters will give off a classic glow for your garden in the evenings. 

The style of a chiminea is perfectly suited to patios and compact spaces, which is why there are compact chimineas and more generously sized options in our guide. 

Check out our outdoor heating ideas for more inspiration. 

Millie Fender
Head of Reviews

Millie is the Head of Reviews on the Future Homes Ecommerce team. She has been writing for Gardeningetc since the beginning of 2021, covering all things barbecues, patio heaters, and fire pits.