Solo Stove’s Fire Pit Helped Me Rediscover the Magic of My Backyard — Plus, It’s 20% Off Right Now
I love to entertain. So when it comes to cookouts and dinner parties, there’s nothing I cherish more than cozying up around a fire pit with family and friends. But when my husband, two kids, and I found ourselves sheltering in place in spring 2020, I knew we needed to improve the vibes in our backyard, among many other things.
That May, my husband bought a Solo Stove Bonfire, a 20-inch-wide wood-burning fire pit that fit perfectly on our little brick patio. He was influenced by two extremely persuasive sources — myself and the Tony Kornheiser show. We quickly fired it up, grabbed some marshmallows, and made a fresh batch of s’mores. It was fire-pit perfection!
Yes, the Solo Stove Bonfire has been worth every penny since we bought it four years ago. It’s an investment, but it’s currently 20% off during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale for $252.45. This is a solid deal on a high-quality fire pit, and one that I know I’ll use for years to come.
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
$252.45 (was $315.56) at Amazon
What’s So Great About the Solo Stove Bonfire?
We have the original Bonfire, which the brand calls the Fire Pit 1.0. In the four-ish years since purchasing ours, the brand has upgraded to the newer Bonfire 2.0, which is essentially the same thing, but includes one helpful difference — a removable ash pan that makes cleaning the fire pit even easier. All you need to do is wait for the pit to cool down, and then remove the tray and dispose of the ashes.
The first thing that drew me toward our Bonfire, while looking at other fire pits online, was the design. It checked all the boxes for backyard beauty and function — simple, efficient, and clean.
I also love its portability. At around 25 pounds, the Solo Stove Bonfire is far easier to move from one spot to another than most fire pits. And the handy carrying case included with the fire pit practically begs you to pack it up and head to the beach or into the woods for a night under the stars. All Solo Stove fire pits come with a lifetime warranty, which is a great piece of mind for the investment, too.
But mostly, I really appreciate how easy the fire pit is to use. My husband, a former Boy Scout, can start a fire with a ball of lint and a little elbow grease, but I’m a city kid, so the fact that I can easily light up the Solo Stove Bonfire with jusy a few pieces of wood is a blessing.
Beyond its sleek stainless-steel look, portability, and ease of use, the Bonfire is also entirely smokeless, which other fire pits can’t quite tout. The Solo Stove burns off the smoke before it gets a chance to waft up from the fire, so it doesn’t bother sensitive eyes and prevents your hair and clothes from reeking of campfire (a delightful smell, according to my husband — but not me!). It also creates a nicer experience for friends and guests because no one ends up in a “bad spot” around the campfire, with the smoke blowing in their face.
For former Deputy Editor, Kelly Dawson, who also has the Bonfire 2.0, it brings all the cozy vibes. “There’s something so calming and heartwarming about spending time outside with my loved ones by a fire — and not to mention, it’s also an easy way to bring the party outside!,” she says. “The Solo Stove is easy to set up and makes a strong design impression, and I’m looking forward to another summer of using it.”
Is the Solo Stove Bonfire Worth It?
Since we bought our Solo Stove Bonfire in 2020, my family and I have rediscovered the magic of our backyard. We use it all the time for homemade pizzas and s’mores, and have loved having friends over in a safe way.
Tips for Using the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Start your Bonfire with three to four hardwood logs (Solo Stove recommends kiln-dried oak or maple), and place them close to the inner walls of the fire pit for the most efficient burn.
Upgrade your fire pit with cooking tools. When I see fire, my first instinct is to cook on it. Thankfully, Solo Stove makes cast iron griddles and woks as well as pizza oven attachments to help me achieve that goal.
Get the color and size that suits your space. Solo Stove offers fire pits in a range of colors, like Mulberry and Deep Olive, as well as a range of sizes, from the 27-inch Yukon 2.0 to the 5.1-inch tabletop Mesa, which Editorial Shopping Director Jada Wong used all winter and summer long. All of the Solo Stove fire pits have the same basic features otherwise, so choose the one that’s right for you.
Buy: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0, $252.45 (originally $315.56)
