How to Light a Chimenea

Place the chimenea outside on a deck, patio or other area free from overhanging trees or bushes. The chimenea should be placed on a metal stand if it does not have legs. The wood chamber should not be sitting on the ground or surface.

Clean out the wood chamber of all debris and dust. Ensure the stack is free from debris.

Place sand or gravel in the bottom of the wood chamber, just enough to cover the surface area. Do not overfill. This rocky bed is to protect the bottom of the wood chamber from direct contact with flames.

Start with a small fire. This first fire is to "season" the interior of the wood chamber. Use a hardwood and place a small amount of kindling on top of the sand or gravel.

Place the kindling in the middle of the wood chamber. All fires in the chimenea should burn in the center of the chamber.

Avoid using lighter fluids or any other accelerant. Light the kindling with matches or lighter. Do not add more wood to the fire.

Let the fire die out naturally. Do no extinguish a chimenea fire with water. This will cause the clay body to crack.

Light a second fire after the chimenea has completely cooled, at least 24 hours.

Add a handful more of sand or gravel if necessary for second fire. Ball up a small sheet of paper and place in center of wood chamber. Put kindling on top and light the paper. This fire should be slightly larger than the first and burn longer.

Subsequent fires should remain small and controlled. The stack creates a powerful down draft and flames can be pulled up the stack. This should be avoided as it will crack the chimenea and may be hazardous.