If you’re someone who loves a campfire but doesn’t want to be bound by a firepit, then you’ll love this Solo Stove Bonfire deluxe portable fire pit!
I know our family LOVES camping away from the campgrounds to really find those unique spots (and let’s face it, spots my kids can be wild in and they won’t bother anyone!) but a drawback has always been the lack of a fire ring.
While we could make our own, we tend not to as it takes away from the “wildness” of the spot and it’s not as safe as the established campfire rings. And with kids, we especially like fire pits that are raised up more than fire rings we just make ourselves with rocks since they tend to be harder for the kids to see when they’re running around camp.
So in my Solo Stove Review, let me show you everything you need to know to figure out if the Solo Stove Bonfire (or other Solo Stove sizes) are worth it for your camp set up!
I also wanted to let you know that I received the Solo Stove fire pit in exchange for my honest opinion, and some links you click are affiliate links that I get a small percentage of.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Solo Stove Bonfire
Solo Stove Bonfire
I want to give you the quick pros and cons about the Solo Stove Bonfire first and then tell you all the details!
Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit
Pros
- Can have a fire anywhere with no damage to the ground underneath (IE grasses, lawn etc)
- Burns extremely hot reducing the amount of smoke and ash left behind
- Light enough to carry (around 23 lbs) but heavy duty enough that it doesn't get dinged easy
Cons
- Can be difficult to clean ash out out - you need to tip over the whole thing once cooled
- Can be difficult to put out if you're ready to be done before the fire has burned out - it's best to make a fire if you have at least an hour to enjoy it!
Full Solo Stove Bonfire Review and FAQ
What we liked
I was very impressed with how quick and easy it was to start the fire, even if the wood was a little damp. This is because the design of the fire pit has vent holes that allow air to get under the fire, so you don’t have to spend forever blowing on it!
The set we got came with the stand – this is the piece of metal that the firepit can be set down on to reduce damage to the ground underneath, and I’d say it’s something you should definitely buy with it if you plan on taking it camping.
Speaking of the set we got, we did not have to assemble anything! I LOVE that we can just have the Solo Stove in the back of the truck, pull it out whenever (it only weighs about 20 pounds) and we can have a campfire right away!
It was really nice to not see ANY damage to the grass after our fire was done (not even a wilt!) This makes me feel way more confident about using Solo Bonfire during fire season when traditional fire pits could be dangerous.
And, of course, I can’t forget to mention how little smoke there is! One of the Solo Stove’s biggest selling points is that it creates a smokeless fire. It’s kind of hard to believe, but it really does create an almost smoke-free fire!
We started our fire with some pine needles and dry moss, so there was some initial smoke for about 2 minutes, but then it was gone! This made our whole camp experience WAY easier because my kids are young and at the age where they get super affected by smoke. I almost always have at least one kid squinting their eyes as hard as they can and screaming for me because of the smoke, but with our Solo Stove, there’s less smoke so that issue never happened!
Lastly, I love that I can have a campfire ANYWHERE. Just to say that I did it, I actually set my Solo Stove Bonfire in a stream and enjoyed the water next to the crackle and warmth of the stove. It was awesome! Try that with a normal fire pit!
Solo Stove Bonfire Review – What We Didn’t Like
We really wish there was an easy way to dump the ash after we’re done, such as a removable ash pan that could slide out. We wanted to dump the ash into a hole before we left, but it was a little difficult to get the ash out of the stove since you have to dump the whole thing.
Another concern we had with the Solo Stove is putting out the fire – it burns super fast (due to how hot it burns), so usually it’s not an issue waiting till it’s all burned out. But I felt terrible having to dump water into it while it was still super hot. I was nervous it would affect the Solo Stove’s stainless steel body, so we did small amounts of water at a time. To their credit, I looked at the stove after and I didn’t notice that the crazy temp change left any damage to the stove.
FAQ about the Solo Stove Bonfire Portable Fire Pit
Does it put out similar amounts of heat compared to a traditional campfire (and a DIY deflector if you’d like to boost the heat)?
Yes! If you compare it to the normal wood-burning fire pits or fire rings at a campground (the ones that are like 3 feet high) the warmth is similar if not better. I actually had to give it a little more space than I’m used to because it’s so hot!
Some people install deflectors on top for increased heat around the area – you can DIY it or check out something like this on Amazon.
Here is a DIY beautiful and functional heat AND spark deflector that cost less than $40!
This is one of the most liked designs I’ve seen! This was created by Anthony Rizzo, and he has shared the info… thank goodness! Here are some basic instructions, and the materials list is below.
Measure around the solo stove edge and cut the steel lath the same size. Attach the ends together with the rebar tie wire, then the aluminum pain to the lath. If needed, screw on a handle. It all should cost less than $40!
- aluminum drain pan (with handle on top if possible so you don’t need to add one later!)
- steel lath
- 15.6 gauge rebar tie wire
- Pliers + snips for twisting and cutting wire/lathe
Does the Solo Stove really put out no smoke at all?
For the most part, YES it creates a smokeless fire. In the beginning, when the fire’s just getting started there is a little smoke. But as soon as it heats up you can’t even see it! It’s so awesome to have a smoke-free wood-burning fire pit because we all know how it feels when the smoke seems to follow you everywhere!
Can you cook on the Solo Stove Bonfire?
Yes and no – they don’t currently have any “official” ways. As of 7/15/21, Solo Stove is taking preorders for their new grill system! I guess they heard the people and answered! Read on if you want to know what’s possible without it.
You can cook all the normal stuff on a stick, but for anything that needs a long amount of time to cook you may have to play with it. I plan on bringing a grill top for our next trip to set on it and see if we can cook some sausages or hobo meals. My thought is, if you get the embers low enough (ie no massive flame) then maybe. But the Solo Stove burns so well that it might just burn out before your food is done. I will update this after trying it!
Is the Solo Stove Bonfire big enough for my family?
We fit six chairs around it and weren’t crammed, so I’d say for most families, this firepit is big enough for everyone to enjoy! And it puts out a lot of heat so you don’t have to cram intogether to feel it.
How do I prevent rain from getting in when I’m using it at camp?
Fortunately, the Solo Stove is made from stainless steel so it shouldn’t rust if it gets a little wet. But if you want a cover, there are two options – the Solo Stove company sells both a full fabric cover and a stainless still lid! The lid is helpful for when you are actually at the campsite – you’re likely not done with it enough to put the cover on, but instead just to keep junk out of it till you use it again tonight/ in the morning.
Many people also use it when their fire is out, but still warm, so that nothing accidentally falls into the potentially still hot embers. While the Solo Stove company doesn’t sell one, I’ve heard that this lid is a perfect fit for the bonfire if you remove the top ring.
Check out the lid here!
Can you set it on a patio or other surface without damaging anything?
The company sells a base for it to sit on so that creates some separation between the heat and the ground – I HIGHLY recommend that for just about everyone! I have not tried my Solo Stove on my deck yet, but I did try it on top of some grass and there was absolutely no damage to the ground (the grass didn’t even wilt!)
Will it use way more wood since it burns so hot?
No! It would seem like it would burn more wood but the Solo Stove Bonfire actually just burns much more of the wood than a traditional wood-burning fire pit. You won’t be left with a bunch of half-burnt logs once the fire goes out. The Solo Stove seems to actually use less wood than normal, and I think that’s because it really completely burns up each log.
It’s actually really nice to bring camping because it’s so easy to start. And if you’re in a spot where you’re allowed to forage wood/cut trees it can burn stuff that is normally too wet since it gets so hot!
Can the Solo Stove be set inside a permanent fire pit (both at home and at the campsite)
It can, but the company recommends giving it some space so that the design can still work. The vent holes need good airflow to keep the low smoke, pretty flame going! They recommend 2+ inches of space around the whole thing so it can get enough ventilation.
Recommended accessories for the Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit
If you use the link I listed above for the Bonfire fire pit, it will include a stand and carrying case which are must-haves. The stand is what gets the Solo Stove off the ground to prevent damage, and the carrying case is a convenient way to carry it (it can be hard ’cause it’s so round!)
However, this list will include some other items that will make the Solo Stove Bonfire even better for your next camping trip!
Best accessories for the Solo Stove Bonfire
If you don't buy a bundle, here are the top accessories to make your camp or backyard experience even better!
Handle
Ask any Solo Stove owner about their biggest gripe 6 months ago, and transporting it would have likely been near the top. Thankfully, Solo Stove heard and made a handle for each size! There were a couple on Etsy, but it's nice to now have the quality and style of the handle match your stove!
Lid
This is handy for a couple of reasons - after the fire is out, but still warm (so that nothing comes in and gets lit from embers), as extra table space when not in use, and just to keep everything out while not actively using it.
Solo Stove Stainless Steel Bonfire Pit Spark Screen
Not only is the spark shield helpful to keep sparks contained in a boondocking setting that may have more grasses/trees around, but I've also heard that people have set their cast iron pans on it to cook! Now I'm not saying that is encouraged by the company, but I know we love cooking over a fire and would enjoy a way to do so over the Bonfire!
Also, the cover is easily removable so that it's not a hassle to add more wood to the fire!
Solo Stove Stainless Steel Marshmallow Roasting Sticks for Fire Pits (Set of 4) with Case
I LOVE how heavy duty and long these are! We normally either find some willow or someone has some cheapy dollar store ones, but now that we have these, our cook outs will be way easier. With two prongs each, they can do double duty cooking over the fire.
The handle area is also a perfect size for your hand and comfy to hold for long periods of time. Best of all, they break down to half the size and go inside their own carrying pouch (so no more sticky left over marshmallow all over your camper or accidental poking when moving things around!)
Stand
This is probably the one I'd recommend the most - it's what makes taking it anywhere without doing damage possible. The stove sits on top of this stand and pretty much prevents any heat damage to the grass or porch!
Color Packs
The price is comparable to what you'd see from other brands, so these are just fun to order if you're already getting other things in your order! Color packs are a must if you're camping with kids btw =P
Accessory Bundle for a Deal
If you're like me and you start looking at the accessories and can't make a choice between which one you want most, just get them all! They're pretty useful and you do save money compared to buying them separate!
Need something smaller for backpacking? Check our their smaller version – it doesn’t even need propane or anything!
If you love the idea of having a campfire anywhere, but are thinking of something smaller, don’t worry – they got that too! Let me quickly show you the backpacker version of the Solo Stove.
Backpacking Solo Stove – the Solo Stove Lite (utilizes small twigs and has a cooking ring!)
This version of the Solo Stove is super compact and meant to be used while backpacking. It doesn’t need any propane or other cooking gas. Instead, it just uses small sticks, little pieces of wood, and even pinecones that you can find wherever you’re camping or backpacking.
It nests inside of the set of pots that comes with the set I linked to. It has vent holes, like the big Solo Stove Bonfire, that help the fire burn fast and with less smoke. It can even boil water in around 4 minutes!
If you’re ready for a smokeless, campfire anywhere kind of experience, I encourage you to check this out! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments!
I have absolutely loved the Solo Stove Bonfire fire pit and how it lets us have a fire anywhere – especially since my kids aren’t constantly complaining that the “smoke won’t stop following them!”
I know it’s pricey (around 300) but it’s one of those things that can really improve your camp experience. The Solo Stove’s quality and craftsmanship shows and it just looks so clean!
So happy camping, and I hope my Solo Stove Bonfire review has helped you understand more about this awesome portable fire pit. <3
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Thanks for your review on the Solo Fire Pit. My question is when the fire is going is the steel outside hot if it’s touched?
And when the fire is out how long is the outside of the steel stay hot, if it does?
Hey Veronica!
Yes, the outside is pretty darn hot. I’d say that, once out, probably less than 20 mins. THis also depends a lot though on the temps (ie putting out a nighttime campfire when it’s cold compared to the morning one when it’s getting warmer out), wind, and how the fire went out (slowly, sudden via water etc.)
I find though that if I give it at least 5 minutes to cool off, I can just throw some water over it and no damage or anything happens.
I hope this helps! – Stacy
I am excited by this, but living in CA i wonder if it breaks the law since gathering wood isn’t allowed. Hmmm…more research!
Hi Elizabeth!
Hm, I would ask a park ranger to be safe. If you can’t gather, many campgrounds do sell pre packaged bundles of firewood. Solo Stove also sells a spark arrestor add on to help prevent wildfires! – Stacy
This looks like the perfect solution for my camping sister and husband! Looks like I’m going gift shopping!
For sure MaryEllen! It really does make a perfect gift – smokeless fires anywhere! – Stacy
Thank you for your honest review! We are really new to camping – just bought a RV last October. We were only able to use it three times before winter set in.. Building a camp fire was a real struggle for us city slickers! haha… we have been looking into other options.
No problem Rebecca, I hope it was helpful! Also, belated welcome to the camping life! I hope you can use it more this year! We buy firestarters (even for the solo stove hahah). Morning is a hard time to start fires because of all the dew – so if you don’t want to buy the firestarters, gather some dead grass and such the day before so that it will have time to completely dry out and start your fire the next day! – Stacy
This looks amazing, thanks for the review!
No problem Sara! Thanks for reading! =D – Stacy
I like the idea of a smokeless campfire. Most of the time I forgo the fire because of the smoke. it would be interesting to try this.
For sure Greg! And same – I used to avoid them because, while I LOVE the smell of a campfire while it’s happening, I really hate having that smell stuck on me the whole rest of the day! Now I don’t have to deal with that near as much! – Stacy
Hi, Stacy! Will the fire pit hold a pretty decent size log…or do you mainly use twigs and small branches?
Hi Becky! It will! In fact, it burns so hot once it gets going, you really do need to find some good thick logs or else it will just torch anything you put in it too fast. Just make sure to measure the space in the particular solo stove you have (they have a couple of different sizes) and then cut your firewood to size.
I do find the pre cut bundles of firewood that they sell at campgrounds do fit, so there’s no need for any special size of logs. I hope that was helpful! – Stacy
You can really make a fire anywhere? How cool is that! I also like the idea of less smoke following me around!
I would like to see how well it cooks in regards to the consistency of temperature and safely being able to take the pan off the flame. It appears the pan would sit fairly low in the pit and that might be a concern for safety; I would have to see for myself if this I could get this to work the way I would feel comfortable. I may be a self-professed clutz sometimes; however, I would be willing to try it.
In addition, I know this is a small detail but – a white cover? Would rather have a dark color.
I think this stove would be work the cost for our family.
This is a cool stove! I think it would be great for a porch, but I don’t know about having to pack it up when getting ready to camp. It’s big and bulky. Is it hot on the outside?
Hi Nicole! It’s definitely cool – it’s been a great addition to our life! It doesn’t collapse or anything, so that part can be tough, but we normally just put it in the back of the truck/camper. So, if space is a concern, I might wait on this one.
It’s hot outside while burning, and a bit after the fire is out, but if you are in a rush you can take coals out of the stove and bury them in the ground (like if there’s any big pieces left), give it 5 mins, then put water on it so it fully cools down. I hope this helps! -Stacy
This is an awesome item! Especially, for mom’s like me who want to do anything and everything with their kids, but don’t have all the necessary skills. I don’t know that I could safely start and put out a fire, but with this I would be able to. Such an incredible idea’ I love it!
Not sure I would take this camping, HOWEVER, I would definitely use it at home as a fire pit. Where I am, occasionally there are burn bans when it gets too dry. That said, out at the State Park, etc…it would be a violation as well. Love the looks of the product and the Pro Con info is good to know.
Hi Steven!
It for sure works as a great backyard firepit! When it comes to burn bans, I’d ask the rangers wherever you are camping. We happen to camp with a firefighter here in Wyoming and we asked him this exact question.
He said since the holes in the spark arrestor are a certain size, they can be used during a burn ban. We’ve also used it during a burn ban in Colorado – the forest ranger came to every campsite besides ours to ask them to put out their fire.
BUT, as I said, ask wherever you are camping – it’s good to double check when it comes to important things like burn bans for sure. – Stacy
I need one of these in my life. I love it. Thank you so much for introducing me to it.
Your welcome Monica! Good luck, it’s been wonderful in our lives. Can’t wait to give one to someone!! – Stacy
I appreciate that you gave pros AND cons. Really helpful information. Like that it starts a fire easily, even with damp wood.
You’re welcome Rachelle – it’s definitely important to see both for a balanced, realistic review!! That aspect has been super helpful during dewey mornings when nothing seems to start easily! – Stacy
I love the idea of this. We tent camp a bunch, and it would be so nice to have a fire sooner than normal. :). The weight of it is lighter than I thought it would be.
Thanks for your review
Your wlecome Dhani – thanks for reading! Yes, it’s definitely nice being able to get the fire going faster – I know me and my kiddos love it! I was raised in the desert so I need a fire ASAP before I freeze during early/late season camp trips! BRR! Good luck! =D – Stacy
Wow this is a really good detailed review. That solo stove looks really cool. I bet you had a blast trying this all out. We love to camp but havent gone in so long. I think its time to head out into the wild.
Thanks Amber! And yes it was super fun – had to try it multiple times to make sure of the results =P YES get into the wild! It’s so nice to disconnect – I’m super excited for our upcoming camp trip with no cell service. Getting time to relax is easier without notifications – Stacy
This would be great for my parents who love to go camping!
We recently got a camper and are excited for our first trip this spring. This would be a great addition for our supplies! Thanks for the review!
Congrats Chrissy and welcome to the camping life! =D Good luck – it’s definitely been a great addition to ours! – Stacy
I love that you gave both pros and cons about the Solo Stove. I like that you took time to answer every ones questions. I also enjoyed seeing the different items available to buy, as well as a link to the lid you spoke about. Job well done!
Thanks Laura! I definitely think it’s important when doing a review to let people know what to expect! I hate when I only hear pros so I order something only to receive it and see there were many cons that weren’t mentioned. – Stacy
Looks like a great well made addition to the backyard.
For sure Joe! It’s really awesome in that it won’t mess up anything underneath it (we had it sitting on grass for hours for our fire, and the grass was fine after!). Perfect for backyards for sure =D – Stacy
This would be a great option for wilderness camping, where there are no improved sites. Save a LOT of trouble and worry. The array of options available means you can customize to our needs as well and repurpose to patio or park.
Definitely Thomas! We love it for this EXACT reason when we boondock – we can have a campfire wherever without having to make a firepit or deal with putting everything back after we’re done (for LNT). The solo stove’s DEFINITELY been in our front yard during get togethers too! – Stacy
This seems like an idea fire solution for car camping. But, not everyone has a truck and use smaller vehicles. I wonder if maybe they’ll introduce a smaller version that might fit into a sedan or small wagon/suv like a Subaru, Toyota RAV4?
Good concern for sure Robert! This would take up space compared to just using an available fire ring at a campsite. The ranger is a good size (we have the bonfire, which is definitely bigger if space is a concern) but definitely not good for all situations.
They do have backpacking sizes (https://www.solostove.com/solo-stove-campfire/), but those are more focused on cooking food than “enjoying” like the larger, firepit styles are. – Stacy
This would be great for our fishing trips. It would be awesome to have a campfire and not be chased by smoke.
YES that was one of my favorite things about it Kay! I love the smell of campfire smoke while I’m actually at the campfire, but any other time it just gives me a headache when I smell it hours later on my clothes. – Stacy
I am so praying hard that I win this we want a cosy outdoor area and a place to make smores in just be with each other in this would be so perfect
Good luck Jennifer!! It is definitely a great addition to your backyard <3 - Stacy
I love this idea for dispersed car camping!!! I really appreciate that it is a great way to have a campfire without leaving a burn scar. Less impact to the environment in the places we treasure 🙂 love it!
YES! Definitely Alyse – one of my favorite things about it besides the minimal/no smoke!! Keep it wild! – Stacy
This is perfect for bonfires in the city.
This would come in handy in so many ways
Hi Dana! Yes we really love it for boondocking because it’s just way easier to not have to deal with making a fire ring. We also love it for fires during winter in the yard =)
very kewl – good to know more about the cons
Oh my gosh, these are the COOLEST outdoor fire pits ever! It’s now my goal to have a bonfire in a stream, that was awesome!
LOL yes doing that was so freaking fun!!! You gotta try it! – Stacy
I would love to have one o f these to try out on our camping adventures here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It would be wonderful! Sounds like a pretty spot to camp in! – Stacy
This would be great for camping where there isn’t already a fire pit! It is very cool looking too!
That’s one of our favorite uses for it Megan! We LOVE boondocking so that our kids can be as crazy as they want and we just have more space – it’s been really helpful to just use the solo stove for our stay instead of dealing with then breaking down a firepit (for LNT principles). It’s saved us sooo much time! – Stacy
This sounds like the perfect solution to one of our biggest problems. We camp out a lot, we have a roof top tent because we move around so much so that we can see as much as we can in a short period of time. Our biggest problem has always been a fire pit, because we go way outback in over-landing, a lot of times there aren’t fire allowed or there is no wood to be found. This sounds like the perfect solution to all that. Thank you so much
holy cow Michella, that sounds so freaking fun and adventurous! YES it’s a great solution – in Colorado, at least, we were allowed to use this during a burn ban as long as we used the spark arrestor! And it’s just easier to not have to make a fire ring and all that (+ deal with putting it all back for LNT principles). I’m happy this review was helpful! – Stacy
This is possibly the hottest prize ever!
LOL that was a perfect joke!!! It is indeed a very “hot” prize!!! =D – Stacy
I love the look of this, but it sounds like it’s cons make it almost too much of a hassle to really be portable. It’d look great in my backyard though!
I get that (especially if trying to conserve space!) It looks just as good in your backyard – we’ve used it a couple times in ours! – Stacy
I love the no smoke. Smoke is the biggest negative to wood fires.
Yes me too! I love not having to move every time the wind changes =P – Stacy
This would be perfect for our trips to the Smoky Mountains to visit family. We could just take it with us to use on our trip and then bring it home again to use in our backyard. Everyone loves sitting around a bonfire and it would really make for a lot of great memories!
Yes, I love that versatility – it can be the backyard fire pit but also a sweet campfire for your trips! I hope you get one, and I hope you have a great time seeing your family in the Smoky Mountains this year! Sounds beautiful! =D – Stacy
We have been debating about getting a Solo Stove Bonfire instead of a fire pit. It was helpful that you listed the pros and cons of the Solo Stove Bonfire. It was so cool that the Solo Stove Bonfire worked in the water too. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome review!
I think it’s very versatile, so it’s nice that it can be your backyard firepit as well as your campfire. Youre welcome and I hope you get one! =D – Stacy
Seems really nice. thanks for the honest review of the solo stove
Love the portability of this!
This sounds like an amazing fire pit and I enjoyed reading all the information about it.
We’ve really been loving it – it’s helpful having a firepit you can use in the backyard and while camping! Thank you for reading Bonnie! – Stacy
Love the idea of getting a better burn with the improved air flow! Like the smaller ones just for two people. The Bonfire is better got a big group..
Yes it really does make a difference in the smoke and heat radiation Peter! And yes, the Bonfire is definitely better for a bigger group – we are able to get 6 comfortably around it! – Stacy
nice giveaway, ;thanks.
What a great idea!
Looks so cozy and warm
This looks perfect for my hubby and I. We are quite elderly and don’t camp anymore, but would be so nice to be able to sit around a fire in our backyard. We live on a lake in the country so we don’t have to worry about any local laws pertaining to fires either. I am hoping to get one this summer.
Great info here! I had never even heard of a solo stove before your post— you sold me on it. We live out in the country and bonfires are a summer staple— but this would be great for those nights when it’s just family but you still wanna smore LOL!
Haha sweet Stephanie! It’s very convenient for something quick – we tend to use it for day trips even! – Stacy
It seems like a perfectly portable way to take summer campfires wherever I go which would be it’s biggest benefit. I like how compact it is and the usual fun campfire foods work well using it.
This is just so freaking cool! A campfire practically anywhere. What a great idea!
Wished my parents were the camping type and that I’d been introduced to it as a kid
I may have to give this a try, it looks pretty amazing and convenient forbtraveping.
thank you!
Love that it burns without smoke. Makes making s’mores easier for the kids!
Like the Ranger Size Best.
this is the neatest thing i could have for camping like awesome
I think that this Solo firepit would be especially nice when you are camping at one location for a number of days. Perfect for that marshmellow time. And wanting some fire to sit around. Like that it has a spark arrester that would fit over the top. Peace of mind.
We could sure use this for our travel trailer – most firepits are way too big to travel with so we have foregone the fire pit experience. Now that we are camping close to the grandkids it would be a wonderful piece to have.
Maybe for my august birthday???
Vacuum Insulated bottles are great for hoking and backpacking, Cab have hot drink at lunch without the stove.
Love that there’s barely any smoke. Makes sitting around the firepit more fun!
This is just one of the coolest things ever! I love that it’s truly portable and that there is no smoke! The smoke always really bothers my eyes and this would be so great to finally enjoy a bonfire again!
I love that part Paula! I’m tender eyed =P It’s nice that the kids don’t spend the whole time with “hot eyes” too! – Stacy
It is great to know that it doesn’t use more wood or burn faster. I also love that you can get the fire started right away.
For sure – that was a concern of mine too Jennifer! It’s definitely helpful in the morning when you just want a to get something going fast b/c it’s chilly! – Stacy
What size wood can fit in the Ranger?
I feel that this would be safer than an open bonfire.
I think so Jeane – especially if you get the spark arrestor! We’ve definitely noticed a lot less holes (well… none!) in our camp chairs from stray embers! – Stacy
I want one so bad!
So cool that you can use it in the water!! Revolutionary.
Haha yes having a campfire in the water is definitely a pretty fun experience! – Stacy
This is really cool! I do agree, though, that there should be a removable ash pan to make dumping the ashes easier. Maybe that is something the company will consider doing on future models. But it still sounds like a great item and I would still enjoy having one!
I hope so Paula! IT sure would be handy – good luck, I hope you get to enjoy a solo stove this year! – Stacy
One of the highlights for me is that, if you let it fully burn down not only is there little ash, but the usual smell just isn’t there! Pop this in the bag, load it into the car, and don’t worry about having a car that smells of camp fire for the next 6 months 🙂
Yes! I really love that aspect of it – there’s so much less clean up than normal because the solo stove has such a hot, clean burn! – Stacy
Just a FYI….Solo does sell a lid! Also it says in the directions to not add water inside the barrel for it can turn the ash inside hard and affect the function of the airflow. Great review! We love ours and happy to here others having such great experiences as well!
Thank you for the great review! I was wondering if you ever got a chance to try to cook on it!
Hi Lisa! It’s not “officially” recommended I don’t think, but I often cook aluminum wrapped meals on the spark arrestor – it’s perfect once the flames get low and a good bed of coals is established! – Stacy
Did you ever get to add the grill grate? Was it usable for camping?
I would love to use something like this dispersed campingin so you can do leave little or no fire damage!
Hi David! Well, this is isn’t how it’s meant to be used, but we’re still throwing hotdogs on the spark arrestor. XD I know they made a grill, but not a grill top addition. I may go and find a circle style grill replacement and just used that! It is extremely useful for dispersed camping though. We boondock 90% of the time and it’s been very helpful to be able to quickly get fires going (no fire ring set up!) and it really doesn’t affect anything. – Stacy
I’ve had the same stove for over 3 years and I agree with you on a few things. Certainly there’s less radiant heat off the sides there’s no doubt about that. May be remedied by throwing some Stones around it. Ones that are large enough that they don’t impede the air holes. I would have to disagree though about weather it burns wood faster. In my experience my fires last much longer with this stove or fire pit. The secondary burn of the smoke really goes a long way in extending the range of the fire. I have how to fire going of modest size and to my surprise came out 3 hours later and it was still going. Where most fires smolder this one continues to feed it oxygen which requires very little stirring or mid fire maintenance. With regards to cooling the stove off simply emptying out the coals well lead to a rather fast cooling of the stove because it is such a thin Steel. This is done safely by simply taking a couple sticks putting them in the holes and flipping it over. Obviously this will leave a bit of a Trace but in my opinion there’s nothing wrong with a few ashes on the ground. Having left my stove outside in rain or shine for 3 years I can say that it’s held up well with some minor surface rust but still performs like it did on the first date. The design is perfect, the only thing it needs is some accessories so that you can use it as a grill
Kevin that was an AWESOME review! Yes, I see they added handles and a solid cover, the last thing to make it perfect would definitely be a grill top option! – Stacy
I love that you are so honest. Not many things are perfect but if I’m looking for something like this I want to know what I’m against. My hubby and I just retired and are driving an RV around so this would be perfect for the nights and then pack up in the morning!!!
I need one of these in my life! The smoke follows me everywhere. This is amazing.
Great review. I own the Solo Stove Ranger and enjoy it very much. The size makes it portable when camping or on the move. I would love a Bonfire or Yukon to use at home when I have guests over.
Thanks for the review, I love the pro’s and con’s – that makes it more honest! This would definitely be nice to have out on the patio for those cool nights!
This looks amazing! Definitely want to look into investing in one for all of our summer trips! So ready for camping season! Thanks for your thorough review!
What a great review! I didn’t realize it was so versatile, I have seen the solo in ads but didn’t realize what a nice size it is. I thought it was much smaller. I also really like how portable it is and that it doesn’t burn up the grass/ground.
This would be a real time-saver for getting a safe fire going … and freeing us up to do it anywhere instead of being packed into a campground. Perfect for backyard use at home as well.
We have the Solo Stove camp stove and I’m obsessed! I’ve been dreaming of getting one of the full size ones and I’m so excited that they’re making a system so you can cook on it! I love that it burns everything down to ash so clean-up is such a breeze!
I’ve been really wanting to try out a solo stove. It sounds so great!
Great review!
The big plus is a smokeless fire.
Really impressed with this product. Great in-depth review!
Just bought our Yukon solo for the cabin. Hoping to use this wkend.
We’ve a huge fire pit w/ big rocks in back that we love however smoke is a problem . Bought this is for our wooden deck after seeing how much our daughter loves hers. Appreciate such a thorough review. Will check back w/ my own thoughts
Hi Karen!
I hope it works out – definitely make sure your wood is dry first! We absolutely loves ours, I think we have 3 now (one for RV camp, one for day trips and a 3rd for backpacking). Enjoy! – Stacy