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Solo Stove Bonfire Review: This Sleek Fire Pit Is Truly Smokeless
Updated: Jun. 14, 2024
Smell ya later, smoke. Our Solo Stove Bonfire review confirms this sleek fire pit is truly smokeless.
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Few things in life are as mesmerizing as fire. I could sit and watch flames dance and embers burn for hours. Add in some good food (hello, s’mores!) and equally good conversation, and I’ve got myself a perfect evening—so long as the right fire pit is in play. After all, the quickest way to ruin said perfect evening is with flying sparks, irritating smoke and an overwhelming bonfire smell on my hair and clothes.
Enter: the Solo Stove Bonfire review. We tested this sleek, smokeless beauty to see if it lives up to the hype. Trust us when we say—summer nights and bonfire parties will never be the same.
What is the Solo Stove Bonfire fire pit?
The Solo Stove Bonfire is a stainless steel fire pit. It’s designed with holes along the top and bottom to promote better airflow, cleaner burning and little to no smoke. Plus, thanks to the included carrying case, the Bonfire is portable. It’s light enough to tote to the beach, campground or tailgate. The brand offers a host of accessories too. Easily customize your Solo Stove for cooking, protecting kids and pets or lighting with ease.
The Bonfire is Solo Stove’s backyard fire pit, yielding a mid-size footprint. You can also opt for the tabletop Mesa, highly portable Ranger and extra-large Yukon. The brand also offers a Pi pizza oven, which is one of the best outdoor pizza ovens money can buy.
Solo Stove Bonfire Review Product Features
- Measures 19.5 inches wide and 17.5 inches high
- Weighs 25.1 pounds
- Available in stainless steel, as well as Water, Ash, Mulberry and Deep Olive colors
- Includes a stand, base plate, ash pan, fire ring and carry case
- Lifetime warranty
How We Tested It
For this Solo Stove Bonfire review, I started using the fire pit in May 2023. I’ve used it to burn kindling, logs and paper.
Setup
When my Solo Stove arrived, I was eager to get burning. But first, I needed to unbox and set it up. Luckily, the process was super simple and took mere minutes.
The Solo Stove Bonfire comes with four main pieces: the fire pit body, an ash pan, a base plate and a flame ring. I opted for the model that includes a stand for safe burning on (almost) any surface. And you also get a sturdy carry case for easy transport.
To assemble, I put the fire pit base on the stand. Then, I simply placed the ash pan in the bottom center of the fire pit, then nestled the base plate above the ash pan with the dome pointing up. Easy-peasy! And now it’s ready to use.
Starting the Fire
Now, I’ll admit. I’m not very handy in the great outdoors. My survival skills are pretty much nonexistent, so starting a fire is often a challenge. But the Solo Stove makes it easy. I nestled some leaves, twigs and small wood pieces at the base, then stacked a few larger birch logs on top. It took a little time to get my kindling to light. (Looking back, I think my leaves were a little wet). But the flames eventually caught when I added a few crumpled sheets of paper.
Once the fire was burning, I added the flame ring. This feature helps guard the fire from gusts of wind and streamlines the look of the Solo Stove.
One thing to keep in mind: you may experience some smoke in the first few minutes while lighting the fire. This is completely normal. It takes time for your Solo Stove to get hot enough to eliminate smoke. Also, make sure you use completely dry wood and kindling—excess moisture will produce smoke.
Enjoying the Fire
Once my fire was lit, it was time to sit back and relax. Watching fire in the Solo Stove was incredibly mesmerizing, thanks to the double-walled design. The holes at the top give the appearance of a gas fire pit the flames are so perfect. It’s incredibly fun to watch!
Plus, in addition to no smoke, there were no blowing ashes or sparks. I was able to get very close to the Solo Stove without fear of being burned by rogue flyaways. The fire itself gave off an amazing amount of heat, which, on a chilly night, was much appreciated. I can’t wait to use the Bonfire in the fall and winter months too.
In true Wisconsin fashion, I couldn’t complete a Solo Stove Bonfire review without cooking a brat over the open flames. I loaded up my skewer and started turning. In just minutes I had a beautifully blistered sausage. Marshmallows, with the help of some telescoping sticks, also toast like a dream. And I’m already drooling about next weekend’s treat: pudgy pies. Pretty soon I’ll be able to cook my way through our collection of fire pit recipes.
Cleanup
When it was time to call it a night, I let the Solo Stove burn down to mere embers. I’ll admit, this was one step that made me a little nervous. Per the owner’s guide, you’re not supposed to throw water onto the fire, so we were left with little choice but to let the fire burn down. After a little research, I’m planning to buy the Solo Stove lid. I’ll sleep easy knowing nothing can get in (or out) of the smoldering fire pit.
The next day, once the ashes were fully cool, it was easy to simply lift off the base plate and empty the ash pan. I found that a few piles of ash escaped outside of the ash pan, but luckily the unit is light enough to lift up and empty without much hassle. All in all, cleanup was just as easy as setup, and after just a minute of work, the Solo Stove is good to go for my next fire.
Pros
- Truly smokeless
- Easy to transport, thanks to streamlined design and included carrying case
- Burns cleanly and evenly, resulting in no woodsy smell on hair and clothes
- Easy to light and keep burning
- Gives off more heat than other fire pits, and also sheds few ashes or sparks
- Wood burns down completely, leaving no half-burned logs
- Sturdy construction that will last for years with proper care and use
- Compatible with several accessories for cooking, safety and more
Cons
- Pricier than other fire pits
- Additional tools and accessories sold separately
- Stainless steel exterior gets very hot while burning
- No great way to extinguish the fire
FAQ
Does Solo Stove Bonfire keep you warm?
In my experience—yes! Wisconsin nights can get damp and chilly, even in July, but the Solo Stove kept me toasty and comfortable. I love that I can use my Bonfire all year round. (I’m already dreaming of sipping hot cocoa in the glow of Christmas lights!)
Do Solo Stoves burn a lot of wood?
Yes. Since the Solo Stove burns at a higher temperature than traditional fire pits, you may go through more wood in a single fire pit session. That said, I loved that every log burned down to just ash. In my traditional fire pit, I’m typically left with a few half-burned logs at the end of the night. The Bonfire burns more, but it does so cleanly and evenly, resulting in less waste.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
I’m not the only one smitten with this fire pit. Over 15,000 Solo Stove Bonfire reviews sing its praises, yielding a near-perfect five-star rating.
“I did a lot of research comparing the top smokeless fire pits in the market and by far the Solo Stove was the most feature-rich for the price,” shares verified buyer Carlos G. “I have had my Bonfire for about a month now, 10 plus uses, and I can tell you that it does not disappoint.”
Five-star reviewer, Donald E., put the Bonfire’s stand to the test—with excellent results. “Before trying it out on our deck, we used some scrap leftovers to ensure our deck wouldn’t burn/melt. Happy to report that it didn’t even get warm! We are really going to enjoy summer/fall nights next to our Bonfire out on our deck!”
Taste of Home staffers are jumping on the Solo Stove bandwagon too. “I personally haven’t been very pleased with the inexpensive fire pit I purchased a couple of years ago,” shares Culinary Producer, Josh Rink. “When the opportunity presented itself to try the Solo Stove, I took it! My interest was rewarded with a very lovely evening sitting around a robust and warm fire visiting my family. The fire lit easily with just simple kindling. The flames grew quickly and rose and danced above the edge of the stove, just as seen in the advertisements.”
Product Comparison
When buying a Solo Stove, one of the most difficult choices you have to make is what size to order. All four options generally work the same, but each is designed for a different space.
The tabletop Mesa is great for apartment dwellers or anyone with a tiny yard. It sits directly on your patio table, yet still provides enough smokeless fire for warmth and toasting marshmallows. The Ranger is perfect for campers. Weighing just 15 pounds, it’s highly portable and fits practically anywhere you’re adventuring. And lastly, the Yukon is great for extra-large spaces. The 27-inch diameter provides plenty of real estate for gathering ’round.
Final Verdict
Based on this Solo Stove Bonfire review, it’s easy to see why it was named one of our Summer Essentials. This sleek outdoor accessory provides years of all-seasons use, and it fits in almost any backyard space. Plus, after experiencing a bonfire without smoke, ash and flying embers, it’s hard to imagine going back. I am officially a smokeless fire pit convert.
Where to Buy the Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit
You can buy the Solo Stove Bonfire + Stand 2.0 from a variety of retailers, including Amazon, The Home Depot, BBQ Guys and directly from Solo Stove. The bundle retails for $470, but Solo Stove frequently offers markdowns.
And, if you know you want some Solo Stove accessories, opt for a bundle to save some cash. In addition to the Bonfire + Stand bundle, you can also order the Bonfire Essentials bundle, which includes the stand and the aforementioned lid. There’s also a Backyard bundle and an Ultimate bundle, both of which include a bevy of tools and add-ons.
If you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor space, I can’t recommend Solo Stove enough. They’re changing the backyard fire pit game for good.
Originally Published: July 13, 2023
