Cast Iron Chimney: Tips for Buying, Installing, Use and Care

A cast iron chimney will give your outdoor living spaces the touch of home, while keeping you and your guests warm and toasty. Cast iron chimneys are simple to assemble and even easier to operate, provided that you follow some basic instructions carefully. Once certain preliminaries are taken care of, you can count on your cast iron chimney for years to come.

First of all, once you get your cast iron chimney in place, you don't want to have to move it, as it's very heavy, so choose the location carefully. If possible, place it at the focal point of your outdoor living space, where you can get the most enjoyment out of it. Just make sure it's on level ground.

Your cast iron chimney may come with a parts list. Check over it if it does, and find out if you're missing anything now. Should you find out that you are, call the supplier immediately. Next, line up the different parts in the order you'll need them, placing smaller pieces in containers. Although most cast iron chimneys aren't hard to assemble, follow the instructions carefully.

Light your first fire and let it burn for a couple of hours to treat the iron before regular use. After that initial fire, you need to take precautions against weather damage. Cast iron chimneys may last for a long time; however, since they're made of iron they need to be protected from precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, etc). Get a rain proof cover, and keep your cast iron chimney protected when it's not in use. Should rust occur, it won't harm the chimney's functionality, but you should remove it with a stiff brush to keep the cast iron chimney looking good.

It's best to keep your fires small, just large enough to give your outdoor living that homey ambience and take the chill from the air. For safety, store sand and/or a fire extinguisher nearby, and know what to do in case of a fire. Don't let children use the cast iron chimney. You may want to put a guard around it if you have small children or pets to avoid unnecessary burns.

Use wood kindling and a lighter, not oil or gasoline, for your cast iron chimney. Let the chimney warm up gradually on an extremely cold day. Use the hardwoods recommended by your manufacturer. A nice touch might be to use artificial logs or scented wood, which gives off a wonderful aroma.

Cast iron chimneys will improve your outdoor living space if you follow some simple precautions and take good care of it. Long years of pleasure will follow the purchase of a cast iron chimney.