Get your chimeneas and fire pits now! Fall is around the corner!

As the season draws to a close, the days get shorter and the nights get cooler. But you can still keep your family warm and toasty on those nighttime backyard excursions with a cozy fire pit or chimenea.


Hailing from Mexico, where the story has it that tribesmen from untold centuries ago created them as a means to provide heat and comfort for their families as well as a vessel for cooking and baking, chimeneas have been around much longer than you might realize.

Originally, chimeneas were made from clay or adobe and were able to keep warm with just a few sticks and kindling. The clay chimeneas gave off a warm, rosy glow with minimal upkeep and were easy to repair in the case of a crack (just hike on down to the river, slap a little mud on it, and call it a day).

Now, chimeneas are a must-have garden and backyard accessory for many families who enjoy spending quality time in their own outdoor space. Most modern chimeneas are made of aluminum or wrought iron and can double easily as pizza ovens or you can make other baked goods just as quickly. They're also a backyard grill all on their own, where you can produce any number of different tasty recipes.

If your chimenea doesn't have a grill surface, food can be prepared on skewers, on metal baking sheets or wrapped in aluminum foil and placed directly onto the coals. The unique spherical housing and venting hood keep blowing winds from covering your food with ashes while also trapping the heat inside for a more satisfying cooking experience.

It's best to use charcoal briquettes for your first time cooking in a chimenea, although if you have experience cooking over wood stoves or campfires then let yourself go.  Mesquite or hickory are historic favorites for flavoring when cooking, and certain untreated pine wood is a great heat source as well as adding a layer of flavor.

Food will cook quickly in your chimenea, so keep an eye on it, checking for wellness every 15 minutes or so. And be sure to handle your food using tongs and to turn them steadily throughout the cooking process. It's also a good idea to season your chimenea with a few small fires to ensure your meals have a better flavor profile. And, always allow your chimenea the chance to cool completely before starting another fire.

If its something more traditional you're after, fire pits are another alternative for the urban campfire enthusiast.

Born out of traditional fire rings, which kept camp and cooking fires under control and kept them from spreading, fire pits keep the fire completely off the ground and often come with covers to prevent sparks and cinders from becoming airborne hazards.

Made from a variety of materials,  fire pits allow for safe, small fires that are just as warm and cozy as an open campfire.From plain and simple basins to elaborate hand-carved covers, fire pits are a great way to cozy up without worrying about scorching the trees or the ground. S'mores, anyone?

Home & Garden Culture has a wide assortment of chimineas and fire pits - stop in for yours today!