Introduction
Solo Stove is where smoke meets innovation. It’s a brand known for its smokeless fire pits product line for years. However, as of 2023, it’s not just fire pits; various products have been introduced, such as grills, pizza ovens, and related grill accessories. But, its signature style for ‘smokeless fire pits’ is still grabbing the center of attraction for campfire lovers and people alike.
Since the brand was also engaged in valuable acquisitions throughout its business journey, they have created ‘Solo Brands’ for the same in 2021. We’ll dive deep into solo stove history in the next section. For now, you wonder how beneficial it is to invest in a product created by a company that’s almost $400 million worth in 2023. The company’s cult following speaks louder than mere words.
They have revolutionized the traditional fire pit by virtually eliminating smoke. This blog discusses the company’s history, the different types of smokeless fire pits, how it works, exploring its grill accessories, and so on. Let’s begin the background without any further ado!
The History of Solo Stove
Founded in 2011 by brothers who wanted to bring families together in the great outdoors, they combined their love of e-commerce and their passion for the outdoors to create a digitally native platform. The brand today is best known for its revolutionary, ultralight, and portable Backpacking Camp Stoves.
Their very first disruptive flagship product is the “Lite,” which is an ultra-lightweight, non-synthetic camp stove that boils water in less than 10 minutes using only twigs and sticks found outside. The Lite was their primary disruptive Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) product offering. But its success was quickly overshadowed by the arrival of Solo Stove’s iconic stainless steel, virtually smokeless Fire Pits afterward. It opened up a whole new product category and brought together a community of passionate enthusiasts who continue to support our brands and platforms today.
Types of Solo Stoves (Top 05)
Imagine gathering around a mesmerizing fire pit, the dancing flames casting a warm, golden glow on your face as you sip your favorite hot beverage!
The aromatic scent of burning wood fills the air, creating an ambiance that’s as cozy as it is inviting. It’s a magical experience, akin to a fairytale scene, where stories are spun, laughter reverberates, and friendships are kindled anew.
With Solo Stove, you can take fire pit gatherings to a whole new level. They’ve mastered the alchemy of design and functionality, creating fire pits that provide unparalleled warmth and do so with an elegance that enhances any outdoor setting.
Their innovative designs ensure efficient and smokeless fires, meaning you can relish the experience without your eyes stinging or your clothes smelling smoke.
Despite its core product lineup, i.e., fire pit, it offers many products, including patio heaters, pizza ovens, grills, camp stoves, and accessories, etc. But fire pits grab the center stage when it comes to people referring to ‘Solo Brand’s Stove’. They are mainly looking for that warmth and illumination from dancing flames.
Below, we’ll explore various types of fire pits you can buy.
#1. Solo Stove Mesa
Price: $79.99
Materials & Dimensions: Mesa + Stand
Diameter: 5.1 in
Height: 6.8 in
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Materials: Aluminized Steel | Ceramic
Don’t get fooled by the small size of Mesa! It’s a fire pit strategically designed to serve the table rather than enjoy your family retreat in the backyard. Although it doesn’t offer the backyard purpose, what it provides is just phenomenal. With Mesa, it would be a lot easier to go with the wood pellets than trying to find small enough twigs that can burn inside.
Also, it has a carrying bag and supports dual fuels. So, you can enjoy burning both stick wood and pellets. It’s an ideal choice for couples or to add a little fire ambiance to outdoor meals.
#2. Solo Stove Mesa XL
Price: $159.99
Materials & Dimensions: NA
Diameter: 7. in
Height: 8.6 in
Weight: 2.3 lbs
Materials: Stainless Steel | Ceramic
It’s another best alternative for a tabletop fire pit with a slightly bigger size than Mesa. However, you must be very careful about it being a tabletop version, as it won’t quickly kick out the heat. With Mesa XL, you can use woods up to 5 inches in size.
While it won’t keep you warm on a winter’s evening, the Mesa is a fun decorative tabletop accessory perfect for marshmallow toasting. Being a larger version of Mesa, Mesa XL is about two inches taller, two inches wider, and weighs about a pound more. Additionally, it burns for about 45-60 minutes and has a burning area of two to three feet.
#3. Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
Price: $249.99
Materials & Dimensions: Bonfire Fire Pit
Diameter: 19.5 in | 49.5 cm
Height: 14 in | 35.5 cm
Weight: 23.3 lbs | 10.6 kg
Materials: Stainless Steel
The Bonfire is their flagship fire pit. In short, it’s the perfect size for most people. At almost 20 inches across, the Bonfire is large enough to sit in your backyard comfortably, but it’s also lightweight enough to transport to the beach or campground.
This fire pit facilitates airflow like a boss with plenty of space at the bottom. It works via a double wall design where air moves through the bottom of the drum and up through the top vent holes to add more oxygen to the fire, ultimately allowing it to offer smokeless technology.
#4. Solo Stove Ranger 2.0
Price: $199.99
Materials & Dimensions: Ranger Fire Pit
Diameter: 15 in | 38 cm
Height: 12.5 in | 32 cm
Weight:15 lbs | 6.8 kg
Materials: Stainless Steel
Ranger 2.0 comes with two sets of air vents that strategically offer efficient burn. For ease of handling, it comes with a carry case that weighs about 15 pounds. This is a lightweight and compact fire pit to seamlessly fit in your cargo area, truck bed, or even the back seat of your car if needed.
It’s worth the investment if you intend to use it in several locations, such as the beach, a campground, or your backyard. A more conventional fire pit might be better if your primary use is inside your home because you won’t have to worry about portability or cleanup.
#5. Solo Stove Yukon 2.0
Price: $449.99
Materials & Dimensions: Yukon Fire Pit
Diameter: 27 in | 68.5 cm
Height: 17 in | 43 cm
Weight: 41.6 lbs | 18.9 kg
Materials: Stainless Steel
It is an excellent fit for gathering a lot of people. It’s even more significant than Bonfire 2.0, weighing about 20 pounds more. Although it is portable, there is no carrying case included, and it has an awkward shape and is quite heavy; you will need assistance to move it.
When used with the stand, the Yukon can be lit on virtually any surface, including grass, gravel, concrete, and composite and wood decks. While the sides of the Yukon get hot, the frame stays cool to the touch below the fire pit.
How Solo Stove Works
The main focus of this fire pit or any other product lineup is to facilitate secondary burn and claim that ‘smokeless fire’ tag. Fortunately, it works satisfactorily to serve you the same capability. The secondary burn happens near the top of the stove’s burn chamber.
The fire is blasted with preheated oxygen through the upper vent holes inside the fire pit or camp stove, making it hotter and more attractive while exhaling smoke. Their patented 360° airflow design is what causes all of this to occur.
How it works
As soon as a fire is started, the Solo Stove’s burn chamber becomes vacuumed due to rising hot air and the lack of oxygen produced by the combustion process. As oxygen is drawn into the fire pit or camp stove through its exterior vent holes, this vacuum instantly ignites the flames.
Additional oxygen passes through the stove’s two walls at the same time. Through the interior vent holes, hot air is injected into the fire, adding oxygen to keep it burning. This produces the desired secondary burn that adds to the allure of its fire and makes gathering around it so enjoyable.
Solo Stove: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Smokeless
- Variety of product lines & their models
- Availability of useful accessories like carry case, stand, fire rings, etc.
- Easy to clean up
- Sturdy stainless steel body
Cons
- Can’t fit larger wood pieces
- A bit pricey
- Exteriors get extremely hot while burning
- Some additional tools & accessories are sold separately
Exploring Solo Brand’s Stove Accessories
Various grill accessories are available to customize your fire pit experience. Here are some of the best!
#1. Solo Stove Heat Deflector
As the name says, this accessory helps deflect the heat from the fire pit toward the sides. Thus, it facilitates warming the surrounding area rather than warming the air directly on the top of the hole. It’s a round disc with three legs that you can easily mount on the top to block the air.
#2. Aluminum Windscreen
This accessory is meant to work in combination with the burning Solo Stove. As the name says, it acts as a shield against external elements and further allows quicker boil times. It also enhances efficiency as the wind gets blocked, allowing less fuel use. It consists of extendable ground pegs for a stable setup. It’s an extra protection to your flame, especially when weather conditions aren’t ideal.
#3. Solo Stove Stand
It’s a sturdy stand made from durable 304 stainless steel quality. Your fire pit can be used on a variety of surfaces with the stand. This stand is your all-in-one solution for diverse terrains. Whether on a wooden deck, a grassy backyard, or a concrete patio, you can confidently place your fire pit on this stand without worrying about damage to the underlying surface.
#4. Cast Iron Griddle Top & Hub
These are cast iron grates for the grill and hub strategically designed for versatility. These grates will become your go-to tool, whether creating iconic grill marks, simulating a professional steakhouse experience, or frying up a delightful breakfast. Apart from providing smooth cooking, it has an easy-to-clean nonstick surface.
#5. Solo Stove Station
Looking for a robust stand or rack to store your fire pit-related stuff? Here’s the answer! This Station is the ultimate choice to store your fire pit, wooden logs, and other accessories. It has ample space and can carry a weight of 47 lbs to keep your things.
Solo Stove for Camping & Backpacking
Regarding camping and backpacking, the choice of equipment can make or break your outdoor experience. The brand’s fire pits have emerged as a game-changing addition to the adventurer’s toolkit, and their significance lies in the transformative impact they have on your outdoor excursions.
Their unique design results in a cleaner burn. This translates to less soot, ash, and residue on your cookware, making cleanup a breeze. You won’t need to spend extra time scrubbing your pots and pans, leaving you more time to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Campers and backpackers often face unpredictable weather conditions, including strong winds. Its tailored design, including a windscreen, helps to resist wind interference, ensuring your fire stays lit, and your cooking stays on track, no matter the elements.
Their efficient, eco-friendly, and versatile design not only enhances the quality of outdoor living but also aligns with responsible and sustainable camping practices. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows, cooking meals, or simply basking in the warmth of a campfire, Solo Stove fire pits are a significant addition to your gear that will make your adventures safer, more enjoyable, and environmentally responsible.
Camp Chef vs Solo Stove
Camp Chef is known for its strategically designed Wi-Fi pellet grills. In contrast, the company offers a comprehensive product line ranging from fire pits to pizza ovens, and other grill accessories, etc. Camp Chef builds a variety of cast iron pellet grills, some of which are advanced Wi-Fi models as well.
Camp Chef has a friendly, in-house customer support team based in Cache Valley, UT. Producing and improving outdoor cooking is the leading industry focus of the company. Whether you’re grilling on your back patio or hiking through Big Bend, you can enjoy delicious food no matter where you are located.
Some of their top-selling pellet grill models include Apex 24, SG 24, Apex 36, XT, Woodwind 24, DLX, Pursuit 20, Woodwind CL 24, and more.
Alternatively, Solo Stove produces a wide array of outdoor cooking products, including its signature product, called fire pits. However, the product lineup of Camp Chef, i.e., camp stove, gives direct competition to their camp stoves in terms of functionality, etc. But, the ‘smokeless burning,’ which is its USP, is pretty unbeatable in almost every aspect compared to Camp Chef.
Solo Stove Tips & Hacks
Since these stoves are your smokeless fire buddies, incorporating specific hacks can ease your life. Read these tips below!
Keeping your stove’s ash pan empty is a simple but essential step. Your fire pit will have great airflow with it. To do this, you can tip over your fire pit to dump out the ash. You can also use a shop vacuum if that doesn’t work.
Just remember to do this away from your camping area or yard, as ash can be messy. If you have no place to dump the ash, you can put it in an outdoor trash bag. You can make a big difference with this simple task.
You can simply begin with a lighter, fire starters, and dry kindling. It’s best to use a hatchet to split up Juniper Firewood for kindling, rather than small twigs or chunks. Don’t be in a hurry to add larger logs; first, create a smoldering ember bed. It will also facilitate creating that secondary burn for smokeless enjoyment.
Super dry hardwood is one of the best firewood you can use for your Solo Stove. Keep it below the secondary burns, though, so you don’t burn too much wood.
Maintenance & Safety
#1 Be careful in choosing the firewood
Always consider choosing dry firewood for burning. In terms of varieties, you can consider hardwoods, such as hickory, oak, or pecan, and harder softwoods, such as cedar and juniper. Also, use wood pellets carefully, as they can block the airflow when they fall incorrectly.
#2 Empty the ashes the right way
After your fire is completely out, make sure the fire pit is not hot to touch. You can empty the ashes by turning the fire pit upside down if it’s cool. If you can’t do that, use a shop vacuum to clean out the ash. Finally, store your fire pit in a cool, dry place like a Station.
#3. Cover it properly
We recommend you cover it adequately when not in use. Clean the access moisture with a towel as it can damage the ash pan and grate inside the fire pit. To keep it safe from the elements, use Solo Stove accessories like Shelter.
FAQs
#1. Do Solo Stoves produce a lot of smoke?
No, they don’t produce a lot of smoke due to the 360° airflow design that promotes smokeless burning throughout the stove.
#2. How can I contact this brand’s customer support?
You can contact their community support at 817-900-2664 just in case you experience shipping delays.
#3. What is their warranty duration?
It’s the lifetime warranty they give on all of their products that makes them stand out.
#4. Are Solo Stoves safe to use around children and pets?
No, we recommend you keep it at a safe distance from children and pets.
#5. Can I cook food directly on a Solo Stove?
Yes, you can directly cook food on their fire pits. It’s ideal to use accessories like a cast iron grill and hub for the same as well.
#6. What types of wood can I use with this smokeless fire pits?
Among the best woods to use are hardwoods like oak, pecan, and hickory, as well as harder softwoods like cedar and juniper.
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