Although the idea of outdoor fires (and cooking) has been around for centuries, it’s only in recent years that the idea of eating al fresco has really taken off. Here Lumberjacks, who stock both chimineas and firepits at our base in Ipswich, explain why.
They Keep You Warm
Chimineas and firepits can help keep you warm in summer as well as winter – given the cold/wet weather we have been ‘enjoying’ in the UK this year a firepit or chiminea can greatly extend the usage of your garden as an entertainment and lounging space.
This is particularly true of firepits as the heat generated is spread around outwards around your garden – with the chiminea it tends to go upwards. Firepits also tend to be larger than chimineas, producing more heat and flames, making them an excellent choice for warming your garden when hosting a BBQ or party.
However, with chimineas there is less chance of annoying your neighbours with any smoke – although many firepits are now smoke-free, including our new Eco Fuego, pictured above.
They Provide Extra Cooking Space
Both firepits and chimineas mean you won’t have the problem of cooking indoors and then having to carry the dishes outdoors.
It’s a much more satisfying experience if you can cook al fresco and your family or guests can see everything and even get involved in the whole cooking process. For example, if you’re cooking sausages or vegetable skewers, your guests can rotate their individual dishes and cook them to their preference.
Firepits are particularly good if you want your food cooked evenly, although you may need to rotate your ingredients, particularly meat, on a skewer or grill as mentioned above – but this can also be part of the fun.
However, portable chimineas are convenient for cooking as well – you can cook dishes as varied as fish, sweet potatoes, meat stews and casseroles, and (for those with a sweet tooth) marshmallows. For more details, check out our previous blog post here.
They Extend the Use of Your Garden
You don’t necessarily have to use your chiminea or firepit for cooking; either type of accessory provides additional light from the flames (as well as heat) so you can enjoy drinks on your patio at night and admire the rest of the garden late into the evening.
The benefits will be much more evident as the nights start drawing in and it gets a bit colder (as well as darker) in the evenings – so you can use your garden not just later in the day but later in the year as well.
They are Stylish – and Portable
As well as being practical, both chimineas and firepits can make stylish additions to your garden from an aesthetic perspective.
Many firepits used to be permanent structures - but the varieties we stock at Lumberjacks are portable (like chimineas), making them both easy to use and store away. So, it should be straightforward to put them somewhere more secure, such as in a shed or outbuilding away from prying eyes, once the meal is over. However, always make sure it’s cooled down first (whether it’s a pit or chiminea) before you start touching it!
It’s also a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning both out/cleaning them as soon as you have finished using them after they have cooled down – that way you don’t have to spend so much time in the evening preparing your meal (if that’s what you are doing).
Chimineas and Firepits in Ipswich from Lumberjacks
We supply to firepits and chimineas to customers in Woodbridge, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Felixstowe as well as our home base in Ipswich. For a full rundown of what chimineas we currently have in stock, click here and to see our range of firepits, follow this link.
Note that many of our chimineas and firepits were originally on special offer until the end of Euro 2024 (14th July 2024). However, with England getting to the Euro 2024 final we are now extending this great offer until July 31 – for more details follow this link. So why not have a pre-match meal in your garden ahead of England taking on Spain in the final on Sunday?
And remember, we can act as a one-stop shop for all your outdoor cooking needs, as we supply the accessories too – such as the fuel, the furniture to sit on outdoors, and the paving slabs for the patio.
If you’d like to know more, you can call us on 01473 461394 or click here and fill in the online form – we will be happy to help.
