Does Solo Stove’s Smokeless Fire Pit Live Up to the Hype? An Editor Investigates

As a lot as I get pleasure from spending time in nature, no quantity of survival TikToks or marathons of Bear Grylls’s “Man vs. Wild” will make me a naturally expert outdoorswoman; I like my hikes inside strolling distance of a cellular phone tower and my ‘freshly caught fish’ in the type of sushi.

It’s because of this why I really like investing in merchandise that make me look far more adept in nature than I truly am: a GPS tracker that offers the phantasm I do know the place I’m going, a popup tent that makes it appear to be I can set one up instantly, and most lately, a Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand 2.0 ($280, initially $345), which makes constructing an enormous, smokeless bonfire look extremely simple for even the most inexperienced adventurers.

I’d heard about Solo Stove’s fire pits for years; buddies at all times raved about the product’s smokeless design and portability, which made it in order that you might set a bonfire up mainly wherever. It’s additionally touted as a a lot simpler answer for having fun with a correct campfire, with the setup time totaling lower than 10 minutes.

While I had my reservations about the smokeless hearth pit’s efficacy, Solo Stove was type sufficient to ship me its bestselling Bonfire mannequin to take a look at on my seaside trip — and in the firm of my (very succesful) dad who may help ought to issues go awry. Ahead, discover my full overview of the Solo Stove, the place I element what makes this product completely different from different transportable hearth pits.

What I Like About the Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand

I grew up tent tenting, so I’m all too aware of the woes of beginning a bonfire from scratch. The trouble of gathering kindling, assembling a enough and secure hearth pit, after which dancing round the precise flames (figuratively however additionally actually) to keep away from the smoke’s ever-changing course will be exhausting — a lot so, I’d typically forfeit having a fireplace in any respect.

An enormous attraction of the Solo Stove is that it has a double-walled design and, per the model, can rise up to 400° hotter than a standard hearth — thus eliminating smoke, so you will not have to ingest poisonous fumes only for the sake of getting s’mores. In my expertise, the Bonfire delivers on its promise of a smokeless hearth; certain, there’s a bit little bit of smoke that arises once you first gentle it, however typically the flames are hid deep sufficient inside the pit that it does not emit practically as a lot smoke as a standard campfire. There are a lot fewer — if any in any respect — embers coming out of the flames, the ashes are visibly finer, and it burns wooden properly.

More than something, I like that this hearth pit is transportable and comes with a carrying case for simpler transportation. The precise Bonfire is straightforward to assemble — it took lower than seven minutes to put collectively — and was simply as simple to dismantle afterwards. For the first time ever (sans staying in a campground), my household obtained to have a correct campfire on the seaside, full with s’mores and oceanside views. The complete strategy of utilizing the Solo Stove Bonfire was so seamless, it even left my dad impressed by its practical design. Our largest dilemma is determining the place to use it subsequent.

What’s Worth Noting

I used to be shocked by how a lot greater the Solo Stove Bonfire is in individual. The few pictures I noticed of the product had me satisfied it was barely bigger than a tabletop hearth pit, however nonetheless smaller than a standard in-ground hearth pit. I additionally (naively) failed to measure out the product’s width and peak — which is clearly listed on Solo Stove’s web site — so I used to be greatly surprised by how massive its field was upon supply. This is not a mirrored image of the model or how the product is marketed, however slightly a reminder to double test the measurements and make certain to order the mannequin measurement that is finest suited to you and your accessible area. The Bonfire wound up being excellent for our household, but when you do not have a big truck or automobile with ample cupboard space, take into account investing in the smaller mannequin.

Another factor to observe is that the product’s elements (like the hearth pit, detachable ash plate and ash pan, and bonfire stand) can take a while to cool off even after you place the hearth out. This is to be anticipated given how sizzling the precise hearth pit will get, however if you happen to’re transporting the product to and from a vacation spot, it is necessary to keep in mind that you will want to let the supplies cool off earlier than packing them. Be certain to day out your bonfire accordingly, that means you are not caught ready for the hearth to burn out too late into the evening.

And lastly, ensure that to confirm your location’s restrictions concerning bonfires and hearth pits earlier than setting your Solo Stove up. Our seaside permitted the use of the product as long as we have been cooking meals on it (on this case, s’mores). But simply because the Solo Stove offers you the capability to begin a bonfire wherever, does not imply you may truly accomplish that with out following sure pointers.

Who Is the Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand Best For?

Whether you are an newbie camper or a bonfire fanatic, the Solo Stove is a worthwhile funding for anybody — particularly avid vacationers. You haven’t got to be a grasp builder to know the way to put this product collectively, as the directions make it simple to assemble. It’s a fantastic merchandise to have useful in your journey trailer or storage for upcoming journeys to the seaside or woods. And it additionally doubles as a great Father’s Day gift for the outdoor-loving Dad in your life.

Additional Details

Where Is the Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand Available to Shop?

The Bonfire and Stand is obtainable to store at Solo Stove.

Rating:

★★★★★

Kyley Warren is an award-winning author, editor, and affiliate strategist with greater than 4 years of expertise in the publishing area. She presently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an knowledgeable on all issues associated to purchasing and vogue. She beforehand labored with Entertainment Tonight as a method commerce author, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.