If You Want to Revamp Your Outdoor Space You Need a Solo Stove
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Fire is what makes us human, and what’s more human than gathering with loved ones next to a warm fire on a cool evening?
The Solo Stove is an ingenious portable fire pit that brings folks closer together not only with each other but also with nature.
In case you haven’t stumbled upon the stainless steel fire pit in your friend’s backyard or on your social feeds, it’s been quite the top seller and is a fantastic way to socialize with loved ones all while enjoying the great outdoors, even if it's a little chilly out.
Sleek and Smokeless
Besides its sleek, modern-looking design, what sets Solo Stove apart most from your average fire pit is its patented 360-degree Airflow design, which minimizes pesky smoke that’ll burn your eyes and make your hair and clothes smell.
The way it works is the Solo Stove creates a secondary burn, which takes place at the top of the burn chamber. Basically, small holes in its base help drive a continuous supply of oxygen to the flames within. This not only creates a much more mesmerizing fire to watch, but it also means the Solo Stove burns wood hotter and faster — so I recommend using harder wood, like oak or juniper if you can, to extend your burn times.
I burned through nearly a dozen logs in 3 hours with the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0. If you opt for the larger Yukon 2.0 model, which can accommodate nine people, you can expect to burn through around 20% more firewood each hour.
Overall in my experience, the Solo Stove proved to be smokeless once the flames got taller and looked like they were dancing, but for the first 10 minutes or so, you will deal with some smoke, like with any other fire pit.
Simple Setup and Quick Cleanup
I've been testing the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 for just over 2 months now and found building a fire with it to be incredibly easy. The fire will catch in just a couple of minutes — no lighter fluid or kindling needed. I'm a huge fan of the Pull Start Fire match-free pull-string fire starters to get things going.
Solo Stoves are toasty-warm and project a lot of heat. Plus, they provide a distinctive form of ambiance, are portable, and are very easy to maintain.
If you’re curious as to how the “2.0” in the name comes into play, it’s because the newest versions have a removable ash pan to make cleanup easier. The ash pan does make the Bonfire 2.0 five pounds heavier (it weighs 25 pounds total), but I think having the removable pan is worth the extra heft. In previous iterations of Solo Stove, you had to turn the fire pit over and dump out the ashes, which not only feels awkward, but comes with the added risk of denting or scuffing the fire pit’s exterior.
I also like how Solo Stove's fire pits hold true to the “leave no trace” mentality since they leave minimal ash behind after a fire.
Choose From Several Shapes and Sizes
Solo Stove makes and sells four different sizes of fire pits. The 27-inch Yukon holds logs up to 22 inches long and offers plenty of room for a family of five to encircle, but it’s a lot less portable than the 19.5-inch Solo Stove Bonfire, considering it weighs a hefty 42 pounds. That’s twice as much as the Bonfire. But the bonfire can still comfortably accommodate four people. There’s an even smaller Ranger fire pit that has a diameter of just 15 inches, but I only recommend that model for campers looking for something lighter to lug around. Both the Ranger and Bonfire come with a nylon carrying case that has a drawstring closure at its top that should help prevent ashes from spilling out and make the pits easier to carry.
Solo Stove recently launched a tiny (and adorable) tabletop fire pit called the Mesa that you can fuel with wood pellets for making s’mores or keeping warm at a patio table. There are also plenty of accessories you can buy to make the most of your fire pit.
Be sure to check out Solo Stove's numerous bundles, too, which come with stands, a shield to prevent sparks, and a lid to make the fire pit double as an outdoor table when it's not in use.
The Solo Stove’s Few Faults
It’s worth mentioning that the Solo Stove should not be left out uncovered, which may be a potential downside to some buyers who don’t want to pony up extra cash for a cover, or for folks who don’t have a garage or shed to store the pit when it’s not in use.
Unfortunately, the included carrying case isn’t weather-resistant, and moisture can damage the grate and ash pan inside your fire pit, which you definitely wouldn’t want to do, considering a Solo Stove costs $250-plus depending on what size you get. Not only would I have liked to see an outdoor cover included, but I also wish the Solo Stove came with a stand. Without one, you really shouldn't use the Solo Stove on grass, sand, or your deck.
Lastly, the Solo Stove projects a decent amount of heat, but it's mostly limited to above the fire pit. I wouldn't recommend using the Bonfire as the main heat source if you're planning on using it for camping in the winter. Solo Stove sells an optional heat deflector that'll redirect the warmth and help you and your toes keep a little cozier.
Wrap-Up
The Solo Stove fire pits offer great air circulation, which results in a healthy and incredibly mesmerizing flame with minimal to no smoke. No matter which model you choose, you’ll quickly discover it’s the perfect way to catch up with friends — whether you’re smashing some s’mores or are just soaking in the great outdoors (or even your backyard) together.
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