Our top picks at a glance
Best overall chiminea
Sunnydaze 57" Wood-Burning Steel Chiminea (360° mesh view)See itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Patio owners who want a classic chiminea look with a clear view of the fire.Best low-profile fireplace
Sunnydaze 35" Bronze Steel Outdoor Fireplace with Log StorageSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500People who want a freestanding fireplace look and a place to stack firewood without spending much.Best for small patios
Sunnydaze 59" Slim Steel Chiminea with Built-In Log HolderSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Small decks and patios where floor space is tight.Best cast iron chiminea
Bali Outdoors Cast Iron Wood-Burning ChimineaSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Buyers who prefer cast iron's weight and slow-release heat over thin steel.Best built-in gas fireplace
Napoleon Riverside Series Outdoor Gas FireplaceSee itPrice tier 4 of 4:Over $1,500Homeowners building a permanent outdoor room who want push-button fire.
A chiminea or outdoor fireplace gives a patio a real fire without much footprint: a tall chimney carries smoke up and away from your seating area, and a small fire bed makes it easy to manage. The decision is mostly about material (steel or cast iron), how big a fire you want, and whether you'd rather burn wood or flip a switch on a gas fireplace.
The short answer
- Most patios: Sunnydaze 57-inch mesh chiminea, a steel unit with a view from every angle.
- A fireplace look with a wood rack: Sunnydaze 35-inch fireplace.
- Tight spaces: Sunnydaze 59-inch slim chiminea.
- Cast iron: Bali Outdoors chiminea.
- A permanent, gas-fired fireplace: Napoleon Riverside.
How we picked
We read the makers' own product pages for fuel, size, weight, construction, what's in the box and warranty, and we only quote figures we confirmed there. The Napoleon page we read through a browser, and some of the numbers on the Sunnydaze pages disagree with each other between the description and the spec box, so we use rounded figures. We did not test any of these ourselves. We couldn't find a clay chiminea whose maker's page we could confirm, so none is in the picks, though we cover clay below. Price tiers rather than exact prices appear on each card because prices change often. See our methodology.
Our top picks
Best overall chiminea
Sunnydaze 57" Wood-Burning Steel Chiminea (360° mesh view)
A tall steel chiminea with a mesh enclosure that shows the fire from every side.
A tall steel chiminea with mesh panels that give a view of the fire from every side and help contain sparks, according to Sunnydaze. It ships with a log grate, poker, ash pan and cover, stands about 57 in. tall and weighs roughly 35 lb. Painted steel will show wear if it's left out uncovered, it's light enough to need a level, stable spot, and the warranty is one year.
What we like
- Mesh panels give a 360-degree view of the fire and help contain sparks and embers, per the maker
- Comes with a log grate, poker, ash pan and cover, so there's little to buy on top
- About 57 in tall and roughly 35 lb, so it's easy to move and a good focal point for a small patio
Trade-offs
- Painted steel will show wear if it's left uncovered through wet seasons
- Light enough that it must sit on level, non-combustible ground and be kept from tipping
- Assembly is a two-person job, and the warranty is one year
- Best for
- Patio owners who want a classic chiminea look with a clear view of the fire.
- Skip it if
- You want a long-lasting cast iron or masonry fireplace that holds heat after the flames die.
- Fuel: Wood
- Height: 57 in.
- Weight: About 35 lb
- Includes: Grate, poker, ash pan, cover
- Warranty: 1 year
Best low-profile fireplace
Sunnydaze 35" Bronze Steel Outdoor Fireplace with Log Storage
A low, wide wood-burning fireplace with a log rack built into the base.
A wide, low, wood-burning fireplace with a 29-in. fire area and log storage built into the base, plus an ash pan, poker and cover. It's about 35 in. tall and 32 lb. There's no spark screen in the box, and the painted steel needs its cover in wet weather.
What we like
- A wide open fire area (29 in. wide, per the maker) with built-in log storage underneath
- The removable ash pan, a poker and a protective cover are included
- About 35 in tall and 32 lb, with a brushed-bronze finish that suits a deck or patio
Trade-offs
- No spark screen is listed in the box, so plan for embers and keep a screen handy
- Steel with a painted finish needs its cover in wet weather
- A one-year warranty and assembly required
- Best for
- People who want a freestanding fireplace look and a place to stack firewood without spending much.
- Skip it if
- You want a spark-containing mesh enclosure or a tall chimney to move smoke up and away.
- Fuel: Wood
- Size: 32.25 x 17.75 x 35 in. (W x D x H)
- Weight: 32 lb
- Includes: Ash tray, poker, cover
- Warranty: 1 year
Best for small patios
Sunnydaze 59" Slim Steel Chiminea with Built-In Log Holder
A narrow, lightweight chiminea that fits a balcony-sized corner.
A slim 59-in. chiminea only about 14 in. across, with a wood grate and built-in log storage. At roughly 18 lb it's easy to move, but it tips easily and the small fire bed holds little wood, so it's more for ambiance than warmth. It comes with a poker but no cover.
What we like
- Only about 14 in. across and 59 in. tall, so it fits small patios
- Built-in log storage in the base and a wood grate for airflow
- Light at roughly 18 lb, easy to carry between patio and campsite
Trade-offs
- A small fire bed holds little wood, so it's a mood fire, not a heater
- At 18 lb it's easily tipped, so it needs a level surface and shelter from wind
- A one-year warranty, and it ships with only a poker, no cover
- Best for
- Small decks and patios where floor space is tight.
- Skip it if
- You want real warmth for a group of people.
- Fuel: Wood
- Size: 14.25 in. diameter x 59 in. tall
- Weight: About 18 lb
- Warranty: 1 year
Best cast iron chiminea
Bali Outdoors Cast Iron Wood-Burning Chiminea
A cast iron chiminea with a mesh screen, sliding door and ash tray.
Heavy-duty cast iron that Bali says keeps radiating heat through the ember stage, with a round mesh screen, a sliding door and an ash tray. The product page gives no dimensions or weight, Bali recommends a cover in harsh weather, and the warranty is 12 months.
What we like
- Heavy-duty cast iron, which the maker says keeps radiating heat through the ember stage
- A round wire mesh screen gives a view of the fire from every angle
- A sliding door and removable ash tray make refueling and cleanup easier
Trade-offs
- The product page lists no dimensions or weight, so confirm size before you order
- Bali says to cover it in harsh weather, since prolonged moisture can rust metal chimineas
- A 12-month warranty
- Best for
- Buyers who prefer cast iron's weight and slow-release heat over thin steel.
- Skip it if
- You want a spec sheet with exact size and weight, or a model that stands up to bare-weather storage.
- Fuel: Wood or artificial logs
- Material: Cast iron
- Features: Mesh screen, sliding door, ash tray
- Warranty: 12 months
Best built-in gas fireplace
Napoleon Riverside Series Outdoor Gas Fireplace
A built-in, gas-fired outdoor fireplace in 36 and 42-inch sizes.
A single-sided, built-in gas fireplace in 36 and 42-inch sizes, with electronic ignition, up to 60,000 BTU on the 42 and a limited lifetime warranty (read the terms). It runs on natural gas, with propane through a conversion kit. It needs framing, a gas line and professional installation, and it costs far more than a chiminea.
What we like
- A clean-face, built-in gas fireplace with electronic ignition and up to 60,000 BTU on the 42, per the maker
- Natural gas, with propane available through a conversion kit, so there's no wood to haul
- Optional weather cover, screen kit, timer kit and decorative panels, and a limited lifetime warranty (read the terms)
Trade-offs
- A built-in unit that needs framing, a gas line and professional installation, so budget well beyond the unit
- Napoleon's page sends you to a dealer rather than a cart, and the cost is far above a chiminea
- Gas fire doesn't have the crackle or smell of a wood fire
- Best for
- Homeowners building a permanent outdoor room who want push-button fire.
- Skip it if
- You rent, want a movable fire, or don't want a gas line and installer.
- Type: Built-in, single-sided
- Fuel: Natural gas (propane with conversion kit)
- Heat output: 50,000–60,000 BTU (36 and 42 models)
- Ignition: Electronic
How to choose
Steel, cast iron or clay
Steel is light, affordable and heats up fast, but a thin painted shell can fade or rust if it lives outside uncovered. Cast iron is heavier and holds heat longer, but it can still rust if it's left uncovered, so check the care instructions. Clay is traditional and attractive but can crack from sudden heating or freezing, so follow the maker's guidance on curing and covering.
Wood or gas
Wood gives crackle and scent but needs dry fuel, ash cleanup and attention to sparks and local burn rules. Gas is clean and instant but needs a gas line and professional installation for a built-in unit like the Napoleon. If you want gas without a built-in, see our best propane fire pit tables or compare options in wood vs. propane fire pits.
Size, weight and stability
Check height, base and weight. A tall 59-inch chiminea weighing about 18 lb is easy to carry but easier to tip, so put it on level ground and keep it out of wind. Heavier units stay put but are harder to move.
Sparks and covers
Mesh panels and spark screens help contain embers, but nothing makes a wood fire risk-free. Look for a log grate, ash pan and screen, and a cover to protect the finish in wet weather.
Placement and safety
Follow the manufacturer's clearances and your local codes. Use wood-burning units outdoors on a stable, non-combustible surface, away from the house, fences, overhangs and low branches. Keep a way to put the fire out nearby, never leave it burning unattended, and check for burn bans. Our guide to how far a fire pit should be from your house covers the basics. For gas fireplaces, have a licensed professional run the line and install it.
Warranty
Sunnydaze lists a one-year warranty on these models, Bali Outdoors lists 12 months, and Napoleon lists a limited lifetime warranty with terms to read. Check what each covers before you rely on it.
Related guides
Want a portable, low-smoke fire? See the best smokeless fire pits. For cold evenings, see our best patio heaters and best propane fire pit tables.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a chiminea and an outdoor fireplace?
A chiminea is a freestanding, usually portable cooker-style fire with a bulbous body and a tall chimney that carries smoke up and away. An outdoor fireplace is typically wider and open-fronted, or a permanent built-in unit, and may burn wood or gas. Chimineas suit small patios; built-ins suit permanent outdoor rooms.
Can I use a chiminea on a wooden deck or under a covered patio?
Only if the manufacturer's instructions and your local codes allow it. Most makers say to use wood-burning units outdoors on a stable, non-combustible surface, well away from the house, overhangs, fences and low branches. Never use one in an enclosed space or leave it burning unattended.
What wood should I burn in a chiminea?
Dry, seasoned hardwood burns cleaner and sparks less than green or wet wood. Don't burn treated lumber, trash or flammable liquids, and follow your manual's fuel guidance. Let the ashes cool completely and store them in a metal container.
Do chimineas need a cover?
A cover protects the finish and keeps rain out. Bali Outdoors says prolonged moisture can rust metal chimineas, so it recommends covering one in heavy rain, snow or freezing weather. Several Sunnydaze models include a cover, and others don't.
Alex Mercer brings 15 years of experience and a practical editorial approach to Backyard Review. Alex compares published product information, installation needs and ownership costs, highlighting trade-offs and distinguishing research from documented hands-on experience.
