Getting the Best Chiminea Pizza Oven on the Market Possible

And, while many people use these products simply for heat and enjoyment outdoors, they are also still very popular for their original application: cooking. They were originally made out of clay; a cheap, plentiful material that excels at heat distribution.

A modern chiminea baking oven is made out of clay or cast iron, and each material has its strengths, both literally and figuratively.

Clay Chiminea

Pros:

• Less expensive than cast iron
• No assembly required
• Clay may be more visually appealing in design since it often matches other terra-cotta and clay garden accessories
• Easier to relocate
• Cools off more quickly
• Lower temperature than cast iron gives more placement options and means that contact burns are less severe (although of course, no one should ever touch a hot oven)

Cons:

• May crack or break
• Clay versions need to be cured before first use
• Clay versions should be warmed in cold temperatures before using to prevent shattering
• Doesn’t get as hot as cast iron
• They should be covered or stored in bad weather; frozen water inside a clay chiminea oven will lead to cracking or shattering
• Only suitable for burning wood

Cast Iron Chiminea

Pros:

• More durable and longer-lasting than clay
• Design differences mean that a cast iron chiminea oven is less likely to tip over
• Cast iron will not shatter
• Cast iron heats faster and burns hotter
• Retains heat longer than clay
• No need to be cured before using (although curing is still recommended)
• Cast iron can burn wood or charcoal and allows the use of lighting fluid

Cons:

• Assembly required
• Cast iron is much heavier than clay; Hence, difficult to move or store
• Often, they stain the surface beneath the chiminea oven
• Cast iron is prone to rust
• More expensive than clay
• Greater risk of injury from hotter heat for longer periods of time
• Requires more surrounding space than chiminea to reduce risk from radiant heat

However, a cast-iron chiminea oven is better when situated as desired and then left in place, covered for winter.

Nevertheless, the fact is that it is heavier and more difficult to move.

Therefore, it requires more surrounding clearance and may stain the surface below it.

However, the fact that it burns hotter and can burn a wider variety of materials makes it the better choice for outdoor cooking.

Particularly if you want not just to grill or barbecue, but are looking for an outdoor pizza oven.

In fact, many cast iron versions come with grills and accessories for outdoor cooking, since they are so useful for this purpose.

Additionally, If your chiminea pizza oven doesn’t come with a built-in grill, you can still make a great pizza using fire bricks and a grill or a pizza stone.

Otherwise, you could buy one with a built-in pizza oven, like these popular models:

The Blue Rooster Co. Casita Style Cast Iron Wood Burning Chiminea in Charcoal

The Blue Rooster Casita Style Chiminea pizza oven is a compact, beautiful cast iron model with a built-in grill and oven, perfect for cooking while enjoying a warming fire.

Product details:

• Easy assembly
• Final dimensions: 18 x 22 x 49 inches
• Shipping weight: 230 pounds
• While it is possible to burn charcoal, wood is recommended for this chimenea pizza oven
• Accommodates 14-16” pizza stone
• Requires a metal tray (also available from Blue Rooster) beneath it if not placed on concrete

On the other hand, like all cast-iron versions, the Blue Rooster Casita Style will need occasional maintenance to prevent rust.

Also, it should be covered in winter. Make sure that you start your pizza after the flames have burned down to hot coals, and use a non-stick peel.

Nevertheless, Amazon reviewers love the pizzas they make out of this beautiful, durable chiminea pizza oven.

Deeco DM-0039-IA-C Aztec Allure Cast Iron Pizza Oven Chiminea

The Deeco Aztec allure has a distinctive design and is specially made for cooking pizza outdoors.

Mainly, It comes with a pizza stone, peel, and tools. In addition, it also comes with a removable ash pan for easy cleanup, and an attractive removable rain lid.

Product details:

• Easy assembly required
• Final dimensions: 16 x 18.5 x 44 inches
• Shipping weight: 265 pounds Burns wood or charcoal
• Accommodates 14” pizza stone Removable chimney for grilling or oven use

Notably, the Deeco Aztec is an outdoor pizza-making machine.

Slightly less versatile than larger chimineas, this durable oven garners rave reviews for pizzas, grilling, and outdoor heating.

While it comes with a rain lid, it should be covered in inclement weather and, occasionally treated to prevent rust.

Furthermore, As with all cast-iron models, place it on concrete with surrounding clearance for safety.