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

As much as I enjoy spending time in nature, no amount of survival TikToks or marathons of Bear Grylls’s “Man vs. Wild” will make me a naturally skilled outdoorswoman; I like my hikes within walking distance of a cell phone tower and my ‘freshly caught fish’ in the form of sushi.

It’s for this reason why I love investing in products that make me look much more adept in nature than I actually am: a GPS tracker that gives the illusion I know where I’m going, a popup tent that makes it seem like I can set one up in an instant, and most recently, a Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand 2.0 ($280, originally $345), which makes building a big, smokeless bonfire look incredibly easy for even the most inexperienced adventurers.

I’d heard about Solo Stove’s fire pits for years; friends always raved about the product’s smokeless design and portability, which made it so that you could set a bonfire up basically anywhere. It’s also touted as a much easier solution for enjoying a proper campfire, with the setup time totaling less than 10 minutes.

While I had my reservations about the smokeless fire pit’s efficacy, Solo Stove was kind enough to send me its bestselling Bonfire model to test on my beach vacation — and in the company of my (very capable) dad who could assist should things go awry. Ahead, find my full review of the Solo Stove, where I detail what makes this product different from other portable fire pits.

What I Like About the Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand

I grew up tent camping, so I’m all too familiar with the woes of starting a bonfire from scratch. The hassle of gathering kindling, assembling a sufficient and safe fire pit, and then dancing around the actual flames (figuratively but also literally) to avoid the smoke’s ever-changing direction can be exhausting — so much so, I’d often forfeit having a fire at all.

A big appeal of the Solo Stove is that it has a double-walled design and, per the brand, can get up to 400° warmer than a traditional fire — thus eliminating smoke, so you won’t have to ingest toxic fumes just for the sake of having s’mores. In my experience, the Bonfire delivers on its promise of a smokeless fire; sure, there’s a little bit of smoke that arises when you first light it, but generally the flames are concealed deep enough within the pit that it doesn’t emit nearly as much smoke as a conventional campfire. There are much fewer — if any at all — embers popping out of the flames, the ashes are visibly finer, and it burns wood well.

More than anything, I like that this fire pit is portable and comes with a carrying case for easier transportation. The actual Bonfire is easy to assemble — it took less than seven minutes to put together — and was just as easy to dismantle afterwards. For the first time ever (sans staying in a campground), my family got to have a proper campfire on the beach, complete with s’mores and oceanside views. The whole process of using the Solo Stove Bonfire was so seamless, it even left my dad impressed by its functional design. Our biggest dilemma is figuring out where to use it next.

What’s Worth Noting

I was surprised by how much bigger the Solo Stove Bonfire is in person. The few photos I saw of the product had me convinced it was slightly larger than a tabletop fire pit, but still smaller than a traditional in-ground fire pit. I also (naively) failed to measure out the product’s width and height — which is clearly listed on Solo Stove’s website — so I was taken aback by how large its box was upon delivery. This isn’t a reflection of the brand or how the product is marketed, but rather a reminder to double check the measurements and be sure to order the model size that’s best suited to you and your available space. The Bonfire wound up being perfect for our family, but if you don’t have a large truck or vehicle with ample storage space, consider investing in the smaller model.

Another thing to note is that the product’s components (like the fire pit, removable ash plate and ash pan, and bonfire stand) can take a little time to cool off even after you put the fire out. This is to be expected given how hot the actual fire pit gets, but if you’re transporting the product to and from a destination, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to let the materials cool off before packing them. Be sure to time out your bonfire accordingly, that way you aren’t stuck waiting for the fire to burn out too late into the night.

And finally, make sure to verify your location’s restrictions regarding bonfires and fire pits before setting your Solo Stove up. Our beach permitted the use of the product so long as we were cooking food on it (in this case, s’mores). But just because the Solo Stove gives you the ability to start a bonfire anywhere, doesn’t mean you can actually do so without following certain guidelines.

Who Is the Solo Stove Bonfire and Stand Best For?

Whether you’re an amateur camper or a bonfire enthusiast, the Solo Stove is a worthwhile investment for anyone — especially avid travelers. You don’t have to be a master builder to know how to put this product together, as the instructions make it easy to assemble. It’s a great item to have handy in your travel trailer or garage for upcoming trips to the beach or woods. And it also 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 available to shop at Solo Stove.

Rating:

★★★★★

Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.