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Best chimineas and fire pits for UK gardens
By the buychecked team · Updated 9 October 2026 · Prices refresh daily from the retailer feed
A chiminea or fire pit is the simplest way to keep using the garden once the evenings turn cold. Both burn wood (and often charcoal), but they behave differently. A chiminea has a chimney that draws smoke up and away from people sitting nearby, and its enclosed belly throws heat forwards or, with mesh steel designs, all the way round. A fire pit is an open bowl: more of a social campfire you can sit around, with more smoke drifting at seat height when the wind shifts.
The other big choice is material. Clay chimineas look traditional and hold warmth nicely, but they need curing before first use and don't like frost or rough handling. Steel and cast iron models shrug off knocks, heat up faster and usually take charcoal as well as wood, but they will develop surface rust over time. Our seven picks cover clay and steel chimineas plus open and magnesia fire pits, from budget bowls to larger dual-fuel heaters you can also cook on.
How we chose
We have not physically tested these chimineas or fire pits. We shortlisted them by comparing the published specifications, features, materials, included accessories and price band across the full range our retailer partner sells, using the retailer's own product information as our fact source. Where a detail such as weight or exact dimensions isn't published for a model, we say so and tell you what to check before you buy.
1. Best overall
Snug Rio Steel Chiminea
£119.99 at Charles Bentley · best for most gardens wanting warmth all round plus the option to grill
The Snug Rio is a tall black steel chiminea that works as both a patio heater and a BBQ grill, which makes it more useful through the year than a purely decorative clay model. It burns wood or charcoal, has built-in log storage under the fire chamber and comes with a 51cm poker. At 118cm tall it has a proper chimney to lift smoke above head height for people seated nearby. The retailer is upfront that the steel and iron will gain surface rust once it lives outdoors, so expect a weathered look rather than a showroom finish after a season or two.
✓ Pros
- Burns both wood and charcoal
- Doubles as a BBQ grill
- Built-in log storage keeps fuel off the patio
- Tall chimney carries smoke upwards
✕ Cons
- Will develop surface rust outdoors
- Weight isn't listed, and it shouldn't be dragged
- Upper-mid price band for a chiminea
2. Best budget
Snug Alicante Fire Pit
£44.99 at Charles Bentley · best for small patios and occasional use on a tight budget
The Snug Alicante is the cheapest way into a real fire in our shortlist, and it still includes a cooking grill and a mesh spark cover, which some budget bowls leave out. It is an open, raised bowl on legs, so heat spreads out in all directions and you can pull chairs round it. The enamel-coated steel is described as weather resistant, and at 56 x 43cm it fits on a small patio or can go in the car for camping. Being an open bowl, it will produce more smoke at seat height than a chiminea, so think about where the wind usually comes from.
✓ Pros
- Lowest price band in this guide
- Includes both a grill and a mesh spark guard
- Compact enough for small patios
- Open bowl spreads heat all round
✕ Cons
- Open design means more smoke at seat height
- Smaller fire than the larger pits
- Fuel type beyond wood isn't spelled out
3. Best clay chiminea
Snug Large Barcelona Clay Chiminea
£89.99 at Charles Bentley · best for a traditional look with a modern, slimmer shape
If you want the classic glow of a clay chiminea without the heavily patterned Mexican look, the Snug Large Barcelona has a tall, slender shape and a smooth natural clay finish. It sits on an iron stand, which lifts the clay off a damp patio, and a fitted lid keeps rain out of the chimney. Like every clay chiminea, it needs curing before regular use: the retailer advises a layer of sand in the base and two or three small kindling fires left to burn out and cool. Exact dimensions and weight aren't published, so check the product page for height if you plan to use it under a pergola.
✓ Pros
- Clean, modern take on a clay chiminea
- Iron stand keeps it off wet ground
- Fitted lid keeps rain out
- Clay holds and radiates warmth well
✕ Cons
- Must be cured before first proper fire
- Clay can crack if knocked, overfired or left out in frost
- Dimensions not listed
4. Best for cooking
Snug Seville Chiminea
£124.99 at Charles Bentley · best for people who want a big open fire bowl they can also grill on
The Snug Seville is an extra-large open-bowl chiminea on a tripod of legs, so it behaves like a cross between a chiminea and a fire pit. The mesh body radiates heat 360 degrees, and it is sold as both a patio heater and a mini BBQ that takes wood or solid fuel. A hinged door with a latch and an opening air vent give you more control over the burn than a simple clay mouth, and there is log storage built in. It is the most expensive model in this guide, but it is also the most flexible if you want to cook as well as keep warm.
✓ Pros
- Large open bowl with 360-degree heat
- Hinged, latching door and adjustable air vent
- Burns wood or solid fuel
- Built-in log storage
✕ Cons
- Highest price band in this guide
- Open mesh design lets more smoke out sideways than a solid chiminea
- Weight isn't published
5. Best fire pit with grill
Snug Lima Fire Pit
£99.99 at Charles Bentley · best for a modern square fire pit that does double duty as a BBQ
The Snug Lima is a square magnesia fire pit built to be both a fire pit and a BBQ grill. Magnesium oxide panels give it a stone-like look and, according to the retailer, good resistance to rust and heat, which is a common weak spot with cheap steel bowls. It burns wood or charcoal and includes built-in log storage alongside the fire bowl and grill area. Like the other larger models, the retailer notes it can mark a patio, so stand it on a separate slab or bricks.
✓ Pros
- Doubles as a BBQ grill
- Magnesia construction resists rust and heat
- Wood or charcoal
- Integrated log storage
✕ Cons
- Dimensions and weight aren't listed
- Open bowl means smoke at seating height
- Can mark patios without a protective base
6. Best lightweight fire pit
60cm Round Magnesia Fire Pit with Mesh Cover
£99.99 at Charles Bentley · best for people who need to move or store their fire pit often
This 60cm round magnesia fire pit is one of the few models in the range with a published weight, and at 10.9kg it is easy enough for one person to carry to the shed at the end of the season. It comes with a lot in the box: a mesh spark cover, a cooking grill, a charcoal grill and a poker. The low, wide 34.5cm-high bowl suits sitting round in low garden chairs, and the stone and black finish looks smarter than a plain steel bowl. A low bowl does put the fire closer to small children and pets, so keep the mesh cover on and supervise.
✓ Pros
- Light at 10.9kg, easy to move and store
- Mesh cover, cooking grill, charcoal grill and poker included
- 60cm bowl gives a good-sized fire
- Smart stone-effect finish
✕ Cons
- Low height puts the fire within easy reach of children and pets
- Open bowl means more smoke than a chiminea
- Mid price band for a fire pit
7. Best traditional terracotta
Snug Malaga Chiminea
£84.99 at Charles Bentley · best for a classic rustic chiminea as a garden centrepiece
The Snug Malaga is the most traditional-looking chiminea in our list: a large terracotta clay body with a raised lizard design. It burns wood, and the clay absorbs heat and gives it back as a gentle, cosy warmth rather than the fierce heat of thin steel. It stands 80cm tall on its steel stand (70cm without), and comes with a rain lid. As with any clay model, cure it with small fires before the first big one, and bring it under cover or wrap it for the worst of the winter frosts.
✓ Pros
- Classic terracotta look with lizard detail
- Steel stand and rain lid included
- Clay gives a gentle, radiant warmth
- Published dimensions make placement easy
✕ Cons
- Wood only, not charcoal
- Needs curing and care to avoid cracking
- Heat mainly comes out of the front mouth
Chiminea or fire pit: which suits your garden?
A chiminea is the better choice if smoke is a worry, for example in a small garden overlooked by neighbours or where people sit close to the fire. The chimney creates a draught that pulls smoke upwards and releases it above head height. Traditional clay chimineas throw most of their heat out of the front opening, so arrange seats in an arc facing the mouth. Mesh steel chimineas radiate heat all round, at the cost of letting a little more smoke and spark out of the sides.
A fire pit is the more sociable option: everyone can sit in a circle, toast marshmallows and watch the flames. The downside is that smoke rises freely from an open bowl, so it will follow the wind into somebody's face. Fire pits suit bigger gardens, camping and occasional use, and most can be packed away more easily than a tall chiminea. If you want both warmth and cooking, look for a model with a grill included, as several of our picks have.
Clay vs steel and cast iron
Clay chimineas are cheaper to buy for their size and look great, but they are the more delicate option. They need curing before first use (a layer of sand in the base and a few small fires allowed to burn out), and they should only ever burn small, steady wood fires. A roaring fire, a sudden downpour on hot clay or water freezing in hairline cracks can all cause damage. Store or cover them over winter and keep the rain lid on when not in use.
Steel and cast iron models are much tougher. They heat up quickly, rarely crack, and most will burn charcoal as well as wood, which opens up cooking. The trade-off is rust. The retailer for our steel picks states plainly that surface rust will develop once they're exposed to the weather, and that this isn't a fault. A cover, a spot out of standing water and the occasional wire brush and coat of heat-resistant paint will keep them going for years. Magnesia (magnesium oxide) fire pits sit between the two: they look like stone, resist rust and are often lighter than you'd expect.
Safety and placement
Put any chiminea or fire pit on a flat, non-combustible surface such as paving or gravel, well away from fences, sheds, overhanging branches and gazebos. Several of our picks note that they can mark or stain a patio, so a spare paving slab or a few bricks underneath is a cheap way to protect it. Never use one inside a garage, conservatory, tent or under a low roof, because burning wood and charcoal produces carbon monoxide.
Keep a bucket of sand or water and a poker nearby, use the mesh spark guard where one is supplied, and never leave the fire unattended. Supervise children and pets closely, especially around low fire bowls, and remember that steel surfaces stay hot for a long time after the flames die down. Let everything cool completely before covering it or moving it, and lift rather than drag heavier models.
Cutting down on smoke
Most smoke comes from damp wood. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood or kiln-dried logs, ideally with a moisture content under 20 per cent, which is also the legal requirement for wood sold in small quantities in England under the Ready to Burn rules. Avoid treated, painted or pallet wood, garden waste and household rubbish, all of which smoke heavily and can give off unpleasant fumes.
Start small with kindling and add logs gradually so the fire stays hot and burns cleanly. A chiminea with a tall chimney, or one with an adjustable air vent, gives you the most control. Be a considerate neighbour: check the wind direction, avoid lighting up when washing is out next door, and keep sessions sensible. Smoke can count as a statutory nuisance if it is frequent and bothersome, and smoke control areas in many UK towns have extra rules, so check with your council if you're unsure.
FAQs
Do chimineas smoke less than fire pits?
Generally, yes. A chiminea's chimney draws smoke upwards and releases it above head height, while an open fire pit lets smoke drift at seat level. Using dry, seasoned wood makes the biggest difference to smoke with either type.
Can I leave a clay chiminea outside all winter?
It's best not to. Rain soaking into the clay and then freezing can cause cracks. Keep the rain lid on, use a cover, and ideally move it into a shed or garage for the coldest months once it is fully cool.
How do I cure a clay chiminea?
Put a layer of sand in the base, light a small kindling fire and let it burn out and cool completely. Repeat two or three times before building a normal-sized fire. This drives out moisture slowly and reduces the risk of cracking.
Can I cook on a chiminea or fire pit?
Many models come with a grill, including several of our picks. Steel and magnesia models that take charcoal are best for cooking, because charcoal gives steadier, cleaner heat than wood. Use food-safe tools and let the fire burn down to hot embers before cooking.
Are fire pits allowed in UK gardens?
There is no general ban on garden fire pits or chimineas, but you must not cause a nuisance to neighbours with smoke. If you live in a smoke control area, you may only burn approved fuels or use exempt appliances, so check your council's guidance before you buy.
Will a steel chiminea rust?
Yes, untreated steel and iron surfaces will develop surface rust once exposed to the weather, and retailers treat this as normal. A cover, regular brushing and a coat of heat-resistant paint when needed will slow it down considerably.
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