Outdoor Living & Lifestyles - Fixing Cracked Chiminea

We have a clay (terra cotta) Chiminea that we've had for 2 summers. We put it away in the winter but sometime during last summer a large crack appeared on the back. Can anyone tell me how to repair this? thank you!

You might try high temperature epoxy adhesive which can be sanded and painted. High temperature silicone caulk might work, but it can not be painted.

If you live in a cold climate, chimnea needs to be kept sealed. The pottery is porous and absorbent of water that when frozen can expand and crack the clay. When heated, the moisture creates steam and can cause cracks. If it rains, it should be allowed to thoroughly dry out before using or build a series of tiny fires to dry it out. The interior is sealed by the soot and resins deposited by the burning wood. When not in use, the chimnea needs to be kept covered with waterproof cover to protect it from moisture. Building too hot fires can cause it to crack. Keep at least 3 inches of sand in bottom to protect from heat.

I will try that. What do you recommend sealing it with? We live in Delaware which is fairly moderate and we do store it in the winter but it might be a good idea to seal it anyway.

Get a bottle of acrylic floor wax and put in spray bottle and spray to seal. Sealer will wear off, so resealing frequently is important. If chiminea is painted, you might want to clean the surface, sand, repaint, and seal after the paint is thoroughly dry. You can purchase a cover online for it.