Best chiminea: our top picks for evenings in the garden

Choose the best chiminea for outdoor dining, evening entertaining or simply relaxing in the garden with our top clay, cast iron and steel chimineas

one of the best chiminea options in a garden with a wood and white brick wall, with black garden furniture and colourful cushions, and plants and fairy lights
(Image credit: Argos)

The best chimineas in 2022 will act as a natural outdoor heater, with all the charm of a rustic camp fire, but added protection of chimneys and even storage space for fire wood.

We've found some top chimineas made of classic clay, hardy cast iron or steel to make the most of your garden space. Whether you want to entertain in your garden or simply enjoy the outdoors during the evening, we've found some stylish modern or traditional chimineas for reasonable prices. 

Some of the best chimineas in our guide come from top brands like MADE and La Hacienda, and there are also great budget options from B&Q and Argos. Whether you're dealing with a large outdoor space or just a compact patio, there's something for everyone in our roundup. Alternatively, check out the best fire pits of 2022 for open-top options, or take a look at the best patio heaters for electric or gas heating options. 

The 5 best chimineas of 2024

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La Hacienda Contemporary Silver Top Chimenea

(Image credit: Argos)

1. La Hacienda Contemporary Silver Top Chimenea

Best chiminea – modern design and affordable price makes this our top choice

Specifications

Best for: Most people
Material: Steel
Size: H121 x W40.5 x D40.5cm

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Sleek black finish
+
Perfect for sitting in a circle

Reasons to avoid

-
Can be prone to rusting

The La Hacienda Contemporary Silver Top Chimenea is very fashion-forward, with its matte black finish, tall and slender shape and clean lines. The design is bold and uncluttered, with a 360-degree cutout for your fire so everyone can enjoy it – a very handy feature that few outdoor wood-burning stoves seem to offer. If classic clay isn’t your thing, this is a modern chiminea to suit a modern garden, perfect for Scandi design devotees. 

Garden Leisure Black Steel Chiminea

(Image credit: Garden Leisure)

2. Garden Leisure Black Steel Chiminea

Best classic chiminea – this traditional option comes in two sizes

Specifications

Best for: Classic looks
Material: Steel
Size: H90 x W37cm

Reasons to buy

+
Two size options
+
Compact design
+
Decorative legs

Reasons to avoid

-
Fire is only visible from the front 

Like all good chiminea, this steel model from Garden Leisure looks the part even when it’s not in use. Its decorative finish and curvy shape is very attractive, but it’s also very useful when it gets all fired up. 

This chiminea comes in either a medium or large size and comes with a rain lid which prevents it from flooding when not in use. 

La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea

(Image credit: B&Q)

3. La Hacienda Arlington Clay Chiminea

Best clay chiminea – at an affordable price

Specifications

Best for: Traditional style
Material: Clay
Size: 70 x D30 x W30cm

Reasons to buy

+
Inexpensive
+
Traditional construction
+
Rain lid included

Reasons to avoid

-
 Like all clay chimeneas, it can crack 

This traditional Mexican-style chimenea is a handsome addition to any patio or courtyard and really looks the part for summer get-togethers. Its embossed floral design and clay construction are authentically rustic and it includes a rain lid to prevent flooding when left outside. If you’re after a classic-look chimenea that’s both useful and beautiful, you’ve found it. 

Abura Metal Chimenea

(Image credit: MADE)

4. Abura Metal Chimenea

Best looking chiminea - a striking matte design

Specifications

Best for: A centrepiece
Material: Steel
Diameter: H106 x W55cm

Reasons to buy

+
Heats from two sizes
+
Gold base
+
High chimney

Reasons to avoid

-
May rust as it ages

Sturdy and modern, this Abura Metal Chimenea from MADE makes a great minimalist and modern addition to the garden. It releases heat and warmth from two sides, so it’s definitely not one to tuck into a corner – put it in the middle of a patio or sunken garden so that everyone can feel the benefit of the two-sided fire, and admire the stylish centrepiece at the same time.

Kilya Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill

(Image credit: Not On The High Street)

5. Kilya Two Piece Clay Chiminea With Grill

Best chiminea grill – use this option to cook and heat your garden

Specifications

Best for: Grilling
Material: Clay
Diameter: H84cm x W39cm

Reasons to buy

+
Best pick for cooking 
+
Distinctive looks 
+
Easy to store

Reasons to avoid

-
Pretty heavy

This unusual cast iron stove is part chiminea, part grill, perfect for enthusiastic chefs who like to take their craft outside. Bake or barbecue for your next garden gathering or laid-back family lunch in the upper oven or lower grill, and then use the embers to keep warm when the sun goes down. 

Al fresco chefs will find this combined grill and chiminea a dream to use. Overall, it’s our most versatile pick for cooking outdoors, and our best chiminea grill. For more options check out the best BBQs

What is the best chiminea material?

a tall black chiminea on an outdoor patio in the middle of two white deck chairs, with grass beyond

(Image credit: Walmart)

When it comes to materials, there are generally three choices. 

Cast iron isn’t prone to knocks or scratches, and will last for years and years with the right treatment. 

Steel is still reasonably durable, but is much easier to move by yourself than a heavy cast iron chimenea, if you’re planning on rearranging the garden or patio any time soon. 

Clay, meanwhile, is the traditional choice, and is a very simple way to give your garden that rustic southwestern feel. 

Whatever type of chiminea you go for, be sure to invest in a weatherproof cover or model with a rain lid for drizzly days.

What is the best chiminea size?

A large chiminea will always look very impressive, but may overwhelm a petite patio or diminutive decking area both in size and heat output. 

If you have a smaller garden and don’t want your guests to swelter, we suggest sizing down, but if you frequently entertain and have a lot of space to play with, a modern oversized chiminea is just the thing for keeping everyone warm after dark, and makes a very striking centerpiece.

Millie Fender
Head of Reviews

Millie joined the Real Homes team in 2021 after working at TopTenReviews as a Staff Writer. Formerly our Small Appliance Editor, she is now Head of Reviews and is constantly making sure that we are reviewing the latest and greatest products for our readers. 

Millie passed our five-step certification process to become a verified customer advisor on coffee machines. As a baking enthusiast, Millie’s job at Real Homes is the perfect excuse to cook up an endless supply of snacks. When she’s not in the kitchen though, she loves knitting and exploring London's top food markets. 

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