Big Green Egg Chimenea

Charcoal Mike

Hi all -[p]Getting a tad cold out. The wife and I were just discussing getting a chimenea (sp?) for the patio. We like to sit outside a good bit, and today we came in early due to the cold. [p]I have seen the metal ones at the local hardware store and the clay ones nearly everywhere. I'm not really interested in the metal ones due to size and rust, and I understand you can't get the clay ones very hot or they will crack (kinda defeats the purpose in my opinion, but who knows).[p]Anyway, I know BGE makes one of these as well. Anyone have one, that can offer some insight? I called BGE and they go for $200 (plus shipping, stand, cooking grate, etc). Pretty expensive compared to the others, and I'd like to know what I can expect. Any negatives? Should I get the accessories ?[p]Also, anyone have a picture of these - preferably a blue one? I can't find it on this site....[p]Thanks and happy holidays![p]- Mike[p][p]

KennyG

<p />Charcoal Mike,[p]The BGE chimey is a bit smaller than most and does seem pricey compared to the others on the market. [p]For the money, you'll get a piece that's made to last and it really puts out the heat with a rip roarin fire going. You don't have to worry about cracks like the clay cheapies.
You can also cook on it. Remove the stack and a mini Egg cooking grid (included) fits in the opening. I like mine and use it a lot.

The fire screen is a must for this or any chiminea if it sets on a wooden deck.[p]

Bordello

KennyG,
That's a beauty, when you say remove the stack, I assume it's a total of four pieces, the stand, base unit,stack and snuffer cap??? Is that correct???[p]Thanks,
New Bob

Unknown

<p />Charcoal Mike,[p]I agree with KennyG's assessment. I have never cooked on mine, though. The chiminea is actually my wife's. She fires it up quite often. We typically use it with the fire screen off, but put a flame retardant carpet down when it is in use. The screen and snuffer cap go on when we are winding down the fire.[p]Pout

Prof Dan

Pout,[p]You mentioned the snuffer cap. Does it really snuff out the fire? That's one of the biggest drawbacks of an ordinary chiminea -- there is no way to put it out, and so just smokes for several more hours. We like to eat breakfast outside on our patio, but then the chiminea blows smoke all day.[p]Thanks![p]

Unknown

Prof Dan,[p]No, the cap does not put out the fire. It just settles it down a bit.[p]Pout

KennyG

<p />New Bob,[p]You're right on the money, but don't forget the mini Egg cooking grid that is included for cooking and to keep your firewood off the bottom of the chimey. The fireproof, flexible concrete, grill pad (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) has already save me some deck damage![p]K~G

Charcoal Mike

KennyG,[p]So if I use the grill grate to support the firewood, how do I use it to cook ? Do I need two of them ?[p]Also, do you have to put sand in the bottom, like you do on the clay ones ?[p]Thanks for the input![p]Cheers -[p]Mike

Unknown

Charcoal Mike,[p]On my BGE Chiminea, I did not think of using the grill grate to hold the wood. I believe it is supposed to be a spark screen between the firebox and the chimney. You definately need to use sand. I did not know that, built a rip roaring fire, and the bottom cracked. My local dealer replaced it at no cost since there were no directions. He said that he should have told me to use sand, seeing as how I was a chiminea rookie.[p]Pout

KennyG

Pout,[p]Sorry to hear about your chiminea cracking on the bottom. Glad you got it replaced without a hassle.[p]K~G

KennyG

Charcoal Mike,[p]I still remember the very first time I used the chiminea. Having the small grate on the bottom all but destroyed it as the open flames made the porcelan(sp?) coating start to come off. [p]Since I already had a mini, I used it's grill to cook on but just one time. It's a novelty that wears off in a hurry.
I did a couple of burgers and walked away saying "that's cool". I haven't cooked on it since.[p]I'd suggest cutting a circle out of a piece of cheap hardware cloth to use on the bottom.[p]K~G

YB

KennyG,
I use the 9" trivet from Lodge in the bottom of my chiminea.I put 3-3/4" x 2" bolts in the holes for legs...works great.
Larry