My Chiminea Story by Gill

“I’ve always loved open fires and one of the first things I tend to do in the evening is light a fire and enjoy the glow and warmth of the flames.

I love the wood burning stove in my house but when it gets a little warmer I can’t wait to light my chiminea. Even this summer I’ve still had plenty of opportunities to light my chiminea and enjoy it with friends and family. I’ve always been one to say that you shouldn’t let the weather spoil your fun. We’re British, you have to make the most of the weather!

Gill's Azteca Chiminea

Of course there are a few basic things you need to do with a clay chiminea, but they are simple. Just line the bottom with a little sand or lava stones, build up a few smaller fires at first – and get a good cover for winter (I learnt that the hard way!). Other than that I find my clay chiminea hassle free and easy to use. It’s also really portable, we often take it to friend’s houses for get-togethers and quite often friends ask me if they can borrow it.

“I’ve always been one to say that you shouldn’t let the weather spoil your fun”

I’ve got to say I love the design of the Azteca chiminea, it’s much nicer than the ones I have had in the past from the big garden centres as they tend to be quite plain. This one is gorgeous, I’m so glad I waited for it to become available again.

They are really great for impromptu gatherings; I’ve never been one for big parties, but with friends and family just relaxing with a glass of wine, sitting around chatting till midnight. Great. We even got the settee out the other day and all sat around it; all snuggled up, all toasty.

Everyone who comes around comments on it. I’ve become somewhat well known for my chiminea! I honestly don’t know why more people don’t have one as they are such a good conversation starter and really get people together. People naturally gravitate towards it, it’s just wonderful.

“I honestly don’t know why more people don’t have one as they are such a good conversation starter and really get people together.“

I’ve got an old Victorian 3-storey house and, as I mentioned, I’ve already got a wood burning stove, which I love. I was even looking at getting another one installed in the kitchen but they are very expensive, up to £3000 or more, and you have a lot of hassle with the flue and so on. But I just learnt that with my chiminea I can bring it indoors using a chimburner insert which uses bioethanol fuel and is great value at only £40 or so. Compare that with £3000 or so for a stove. I’m very excited about that as I can get the real fire without the mess or expense when it gets really wintery outside.

I did a lot of research when looking at chimineas before I chose the one I did from ChimineaShop.co.uk. I looked at lots of different online shops and found my experience with ChimineaShop.co.uk to be really hassle free. They’ve got a great selection, not too many that its overwhelming, but a nice range of designs and sizes. They responded to my emails very quickly and informed me of my order’s progress. Customer service is very important to me and they never let me down, always keeping me informed. I cannot rate them highly enough for their customer service and because of this and the great selection I have recommended them to my friends and family.

“I cannot rate them highly enough for their customer service“

I remember when it arrived, I was so excited. I have to say that I am delighted with it. It has more than lived up to my expectations. The fact that it arrived just in time for my daughter’s birthday was even better, that’s when we took the photo. It was such a wonderful night and the chiminea played it’s part.

The chiminea played its part in the birthday celebrations

I look forward to many, many more nights sat around all snuggled up, enjoying the fire with my family and friends.”

Gill spoke the Lewis, the owner of Chiminea Shop, about her experience. Do you have a question for Gill? If so just use the comments box below and she’ll get back to you as soon as she can drag herself away from the chiminea.

Regards,

Lewis and the Chiminea Shop Team

For quick reference, Gill mentioned a few items in her chiminea experience story that I have added below: