A chiminea on the backyard deck adds warmth that can extend the season for your outdoor living space well into the fall while also allowing you to open it up for use earlier in the spring. But, while a chiminea may seem fine for patios made of masonry, can you put a chiminea on a wooden or composite deck?
After all, open flames and intense heat create an obvious problem for wood and intense radiant heat can warp or even melt composite boards. In this article, we’ll discuss whether it’s wise to place a chiminea on a composite or wooden deck while reviewing what precautions one should take should one choose to do so.
Quick Navigation
- Can You Put A Chiminea On A Wooden Deck?
- Can You Use a Chiminea on a Composite Deck?
- What Are the Hazards of Putting a Chiminea on Decking?
- How Hot Can a Chiminea Get?
- How Far Should a Chiminea Be From the House?
- How to Safely Use a Chiminea on a Wooden or Composite Deck
- What to Put Under Chiminea on a Deck?
- Should I Put a Chiminea on My Wooden or Composite Deck?
Can You Put A Chiminea On A Wooden Deck?
Although there are some hazards to be aware of, it is possible to place a chiminea on a wooden deck as long as you take some precautions first. Chimineas reach temperatures well over 500 degrees and can potentially spew burning ashes and flaming embers onto your deck. Given that wood is flammable, placing a chiminea on a deck creates an obvious hazard.
To do so safely, you must take several precautions. This includes elevating a chiminea up and away from the deck, installing a fireproof barrier between it and the deck boards, and ensuring no flammable objects are near the chiminea.
Can You Use a Chiminea on a Composite Deck?
Although it may not seem like it at first glance, composite decking is flammable. While most manufacturers add fire retardant chemicals such as ammonium phosphate to the composite decking, it still can catch fire. Even if composite decking doesn’t ignite, it will still soften and warp when exposed to temperatures as low as 180 degrees and begin to melt between 250 and 350 degrees.
That said, it’s still possible to safely place a chiminea on Trex decking. Similar to wood decking, the chiminea must be elevated high enough off the deck’s surface; however, that won’t be enough to protect the decking. The composite deck should also use some kind of thermal barrier between it and the chiminea to prevent it from warping the boards.
What Are the Hazards of Putting a Chiminea on Decking?
There are two potential hazards one faces when placing a chiminea on decking. First and foremost, it could ignite a fire that could damage or destroy not only the decking but the house it’s attached to. A chiminea doesn’t have to ignite a deck to cause damage.
Chimineas produce enough radiant heat to melt composite decking or scorch wood decking. Aside from radiant heat, chiminea’s burn wood, which releases sparks and ashes that can escape the firebox and fall onto the surrounding decking.
How Hot Can a Chiminea Get?
How hot a chiminea can get varies depending on the type of materials it’s made from as well as its size. Chimineas can get up to around 650 degrees Fahrenheit. Cast-iron chimineas get hotter than clay chimineas mainly because metal conducts heat better than clay.
Fuel also impacts how hot a chiminea can get. Charcoal burns hotter than wood, so if you load the chiminea up with charcoal, expect to create a hotter fire.
While chimineas produce most of their heat from the opening, they can also produce a fair amount of heat through their walls. With that in mind, you must use a fire barrier that prevents heat from transferring to the decking. You should also only use chimineas that sit at least 6 inches off the surface of the deck.
How Far Should a Chiminea Be From the House?
A chiminea should sit a minimum of 10 feet from the house to provide an adequate buffer that prevents it from potentially igniting the home. When choosing a location for the chiminea, keep in mind that the most dangerous part is opening the firebox.
If your chiminea only opens on one side, make sure there is a buffer of at least 10 feet from the opening and any combustible items. If the chiminea has a 360-degree opening, you’ll need to ensure there are no flammable items within a 10-foot radius.
How to Safely Use a Chiminea on a Wooden or Composite Deck
There are several guidelines to follow when using a chiminea on a wooden or composite deck to ensure it doesn’t pose a safety hazard. Ahead, learn about how location, heat resist barriers, fire screens, and other measures allow you to use a chiminea safely on your deck.
Select a Good Location
Chimineas are by design tall, so they can topple over. Keep the chiminea stable by making sure the decking below it is stable and even. Also, don’t place a chiminea close to a high traffic area, such as close to a set of stairs, to prevent people from potentially coming into contact with it.
Finally, make sure the chiminea is a safe distance (at least 10 feet) from flammable objects, such as deck chairs, a railing, and the home itself.
Use a Heat Resistant Barrier
Even if a chiminea is a foot or more off the surface of the deck, it’s still close enough to damage or even potentially ignite the decking below due to the amount of radiant heat it produces.
To protect the deck, use a heat-resistant barrier. Pavers are an excellent choice as they aren’t flammable, nor will they transfer heat to the deck. Avoid metal, which does an excellent job of transferring heat.
You can also purchase heat-resistant barriers specially designed for chimineas and fire pits. Whatever barrier you choose, make sure it has a large enough footprint to protect not just the area under the chiminea about also the immediate area around it, which could potentially come into contact with sparks or embers.
Clear the Surrounding Area
While your focus may be on protecting the decking below, keep other flammable objects in mind as well. A wooden planter or chair near can potentially catch fire, which can quickly ignite the deck. If needed, reorganize the furniture and another flammable decor on your deck so that there is a buffer between these objects and the chiminea.
Monitor Weather
Keep an eye on the weather before firing up a chiminea. High winds can blow sparks and embers around, which can land on the decking, damaging it or even potentially igniting the surface.
Wind can also cause flames to flare up, making a fire difficult to control. With these factors in mind, don’t use a chiminea in windy conditions.
Likewise, don’t burn a chiminea in extremely dry conditions. A wood deck’s moisture content changes with the humidity in the surrounding area. Dry weather can cause deck wood to be dryer and more susceptible to igniting if it comes into contact with flaming embers.
Don’t Build Large Fires
While you may be tempted to fill up your chiminea with firewood, don’t. Build smaller fires that will produce fewer sparks and less heat. Larger fires can cause flames to shoot out of the front of the chiminea or even the chimney, increasing the chances of it igniting the deck or even a nearby tree.
Overloading the chiminea makes it more likely for a flaming log to roll out and onto the surrounding deck as the fire burns and the wood shifts. Instead, build smaller fires that are easy for you to control.
Buy the Right Chiminea
Chiminea’s come in a variety of shapes in sizes. Some sit low, while others have feet that elevate them off the ground. Choose a chiminea with taller legs that elevate the firebox further away from the surface of the deck. Chimineas also come in a variety of sizes. Choose a model that will produce smaller fires that put off less heat and are easier to control.
Also, keep in mind where the chiminea will be located. If the chiminea will take up a central location on the deck, consider a 360-degree model that will allow people to sit around it. If it will be placed in a corner, choose a model that opens on one side only.
Use a screen
As with a wood-burning fireplace, chiminea can cause hot sparks and even flaming embers to eject from the firebox onto your deck as the fire pops and crackles when air pockets in the wood heat up.
Use a metal screen or purchase a model that has a metal screen that prevents sparks from exiting the chiminea. This screen will also ensure that burning logs stay inside the chiminea as it burns and shifts.
Other Precautions
In addition to the above measure, there are other common-sense precautions you can take. Have a bucket of water nearby or, better yet, a fire extinguisher just if the fire does manage to escape the chiminea and you need to quickly extinguish flames or embers.
Also, periodically inspect the chiminea for cracks, holes, or other wear that could cause flaming embers to escape the chiminea or that could make the chiminea unstable.
Clean Up Afterward
Even once the fire is out, the dirty ashes can stain a deck should a breeze carry the dry ashes out of the chiminea and onto the deck. Be diligent about cleaning once the fire has cooled. A chiminea that’s well maintained will also burn cleaner and therefore be less of a threat to your deck than once that is poorly maintained.
What to Put Under Chiminea on a Deck?
While pavers you can purchase from any home improvement store are a good option for creating a firewall between your chiminea and the deck, you can also buy mats specifically designed for using chimineas and firepits on wood or composite decks.
F-Arrow Fireproof chimineas Mat
This circular fire mat is a great option for protecting your deck while using a chiminea. The pad is made from 100 percent recycled rubber that provides an effective barrier without staining your deck.
The rubber resists temperatures of up to 600 degrees, making it suitable for a chiminea, and ensures the deck isn’t burned by sparks and embers that escape the firepit.
The mat must have a clearance of at least 4 inches between the heat source and the pad, which suits most chimineas that rest on feet. It reflects up to 95 percent of radiant heat away from the deck. And, since it’s rubber, it resists a non-skid surface that adds stability for the chiminea. The Rubber mat is also easy to clean. Simply pull it up and hose it off.
F-Arrow’s Fireproof chimineas Mat comes in multiple sizes: 30, 39, and 48 inches
Huigu Fireproof Floor Protector
With its silicone construction and numerous size options, this circular fire mat is ideal for chimineas. It can resist radiant heat up to 600 degrees thanks to its construction. It consists of 100 percent recycled rubber with a flame retardant silicone coating. In addition, the floor protector must have a buffer of at least 6 inches between the heat source and the decking.
While the mat is similar to others on the market, few come in as many size options. The Huigu fireproof floor protector comes in more than a dozen sizes ranging from just 30 inches in diameter up to 48 inches in diameter. It’s also available in rectangular shapes ranging from 30 by 48 inches to a giant 48 by 84 inches for more comprehensive protection. The mat can be hosed off for easy cleaning and is tear-resistant.
What Is the Best Chiminea for a Deck?
When selecting a chiminea for a deck, the general rule is that the taller the legs, the better. The feet elevate a chiminea off the surface of the deck, creating a buffer between the chiminea’s heat source and the deck. That buffer should be at least 4 inches when using a mat.
In addition to its legs, also look for chimineas that use a built-in screen that prevents flaming sparks, embers, and even logs from falling out of the firebox and onto the surface of the deck.
Deckmate Sonor Outdoor Chimenea
Long legs and a screen that keeps the entire firepit contained make the Deckmate Sonora chimenea suitable for composite or wood decks. The legs elevate the chiminea about 11 inches, creating a large buffer to prevent radiant heat from scorching the decking below (although you should still use a fire barrier between the chiminea and your deck).
The legs also flair out to create a wider and more stable base that helps to prevent the chiminea from tipping over. This 360-degree chiminea comes equipped with a wraparound screen, ensuring burning logs and sparks stay contained within the firebox.
A sliding door makes it easy the inside to add additional fuel or tend to the fire. The firebox also features an ash catcher underneath the firebox, adding buffer between the flames and the deck while also making it easy to clean the chiminea after each burn. A handy fire tool for tending to the logs is also included.
Bali Outdoors Wood Burning Chiminea
With legs that elevate this chiminea about a foot off the ground and a shelf below it that acts as a heat shield, this model from Bali is an ideal choice for decks. The large space, when combined with a heat barrier, ensures the deck below won’t reach high temperatures that could damage or warp composite decking.
This 360-degree chiminea also has a wraparound screen, ensuring the fire stays inside the firebox by preventing burning logs or sparks from getting out. The interior of the chiminea is accessible via a sliding door.
Other nice features include an ash-catching system that makes the chiminea easy to clean while serving as an additional heat buffer. This chiminea also has a shorter chimney than other chimineas, giving it a lower center of gravity that makes it less susceptible to toppling over.
Should I Put a Chiminea on My Wooden or Composite Deck?
If your deck is large enough to allow you to place a chiminea on it while keeping it a safe distance from the house and away from potential flammable deck furniture and decor, then adding a chiminea to your deck is a great idea. It adds a heat source that allows you to use your deck more by extending its use into the colder months of the year.
If you plan to add a chiminea to your deck, make sure to follow the safety guidelines outlined above. Use a heat shield between the chiminea and the decking and purchase a chiminea that elevates the heat source well above the deck and comes equipped with a screen that ensures no embers will fall onto the deck surface.
Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking.