Quote:
Originally Posted by dcfas
Anyone know if I can fire up a clay chimenea in below freezing temps without damage? It’s 9F here.
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The answer is no, you shouldn't, unfortunately, unless you want to risk it breaking up into pieces. The clay ones can go into "shock" and can crack up and shatter into pieces from moisture absorption during sudden extreme temperature changes and such as a burning fire in it if it's outside in sub-freezing temperatures and then cracks into pieces while it's cooling off later and absorbs moisture. During well below freezing winters the clay chimineas are supposed to be kept dry, wrapped and insulated and sheltered in place raised up off the ground or else put away wrapped in a heavy blanket or padded quilt in a dry shelter such as a shed or garage where they won't be subjected to such cold temperatures and sudden wind chills.
Here is some important and very comprehensive information about why and how to properly winterize and store a clay chiminea:
https://thebackyardgnome.com/how-to-...ze-a-chiminea/
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