#2 The size and style does matter.
Fire pit designs without smoke stacks do not burn as clean or efficient as a good chiminea design. The drafting action of a traditional chimenea draws fresh air into the fire and out the neck making them very efficient burners. Fire pits will smolder and smoke more then traditional chiminea designs since the fire pit design does not provide efficient airflow.
Excess smoke from a fire pit can also linger at head level making a fire uncomfortable for you and annoying to your neighbors. If your not comfortable building a ring of rocks, then an efficient burning chiminea design may be a better choice. Properly designed chimineas will only have a bit of smoke at the beginning and end of your fire, much like a well designed "in house" fireplace.
#3 The amount of maintenance needs to be considered.
Chain store and mass marketed fireplaces made out of copper, sheet steel, or clay, don't provide the safety or longevity of cast iron or cast aluminum. Below is a material list of currently manufactured outdoor fireplaces.
Clay chimineas can be babied, "Feed slowly, keep warm and dry.". But if you want a fireplace that is going to be safer and last longer, any other material on the market is a better investment. See Tip #6 for "Safety concerns with clay chimineas.".
Many home and garden outlets carry Sheet Metal outdoor fireplaces at a bargain cost. Cheap sheet metal fire pits are pretty much disposable items. Once they rust through their usefulness is gone. Be sure to check the gauge or thickness of the metal. Thin, mass marketed fireplaces may also melt if not thick enough. Enamel finishes disappear and exposed sheet metal will rust out quickly.
In some instances the body is cast iron but the neck or chimney is sheet steel. Eventually, you will be left with a cast iron fireplace body without a neck. Make sure the company carries replacement parts and find out the costs. If you will need to buy a new neck or other replacement parts frequently it's probably better to look elsewhere.
Cast Iron will rust if not maintained properly. The more cast iron you have to work with the longer it will last. Cast iron chimineas may also stain any surface the on which it is standing on if not maintained, so proper placement should be considered. If you decide to buy a cast iron chiminea make sure it is heavy and be prepared to maintain it.
Cast Iron may need a bit of maintenance but will last for years if looked after. Occasional painting with high temperature stove paint will halt rusting. Also, cast iron is extremely heavy and will withstand a lot of abuse. The Blue Rooster recommends cast iron chimineas for campground owners or places that they will be used without supervision. 200 pound chimineas tend not to "walk away".
There are no advantages of cast iron over cast aluminum except for a heavy weight. For most homeowners the added weight is a disadvantage.
Copper looks great out of the box and is a very safe material used for years in cooking utensils. Watch out for cast iron supports or bases that can rust shortly and stain your patio. Also, don't expect that shiny new copper fireplace to look like that after a fire or two. Green and rusty is usually the norm after its been used. If you don't mind the look of it, make sure it has a cover or rain lid and prepare to maintain the cast iron parts.
Some companies will drill holes in the bottom of the copper fire pits to let water (and ash) out when it rains so placement is important. Fire pits without drains can fill with water andmake a mess. If you do choose a copper fire pit or any fire pit for that matter, be sure it has a cover. Water and wind can make a mess of your ashes and/or embers.
If low maintenance and lifespan are priorities, Cast Aluminum is the best investment for your money. Aluminum chimineas are cast from the same molds as cast iron and look identical to cast iron. Cast aluminum outdoor fireplaces will not warp and have a melting temp only a few hundred degrees lower then cast iron. Cast aluminum alloy will not rust and is much lighter so it can be easily moved. Like a gas grill, cast aluminum has very little maintenance.

#5 The benefits of cast aluminum
Cast aluminum is the best product for the typical outdoor enthusiast. Compared to a cast iron chiminea, a cast aluminum chiminea will not rust, is very low maintenance, can be easily moved during a wind change or patio re-arrangement. A cast aluminum chiminea will not stain your deck or patio. Many aluminum chimineas are cast from the same molds as their cast iron counterparts, so they offer identical aesthetics and also radiate heat similarly.
Cast aluminum outdoor fireplaces are light weight and designed with safety in mind. They can be easily transported to a lake home or a neighbors and can be easily stored in the winter time in Northern areas. Storage is recommended to prevent damage or theft. Both cast iron and cast aluminum fireplaces are designed for year around use in any climate.
#6 Pros and cons of clay chimineas.
Clay chimineas are attractive and inexpensive. They do have some limitation, however. There is a perception of increased danger in using a metal chiminea versus a clay chiminea. In truth you can get burned by a hot clay chiminea just as fast as a hot metal fireplace. If you are prone to sticking your fingers on hot items, perhaps a garden fountain would be a better choice than an outdoor fireplace.
The main problem with clay is that when it does fail, it can happen suddenly and without warning. If the bottom falls out while you're having a fire, a serious safety hazard can result. If you are using a clay fireplace on a wood deck or other combustible surface, it should be on a non-flammable base such as cement or tile.
A good cast iron or cast aluminum fireplace will always last longer then clay.
Don't sacrifice safety in order to save a few dollars on a bargain rate fire extinguisher or a cheap outdoor fireplace. Remember you are dealing with fire. Anytime a fire is lit there is a potential to cause damage to your self, friends, family, your property or your neighbors. When starting any controlled fire, safety is the number one concern.
Cast Iron and Aluminum Chimineas
In general, a cast iron or aluminum chiminea is more durable and sturdy than a clay version. Although they tend to be heavier than clay models, they won't crack or break as easily. However, they will need occasional maintenance.
For example, if you leave a cast iron chiminea outside long enough, it will rust. Rust is a normal occurrence, so if you sand out the rust spots and paint them as they appear, your fireplace should give you many years of enjoyment.
Cast aluminum models are relatively low maintenance, lighter in weight than cast iron, and also rust-resistant. Therefore, painting and sanding is not necessary.