Solo Stove Fire Pit 2.0 Review: 5 Reasons To Buy (2023)

When Solo Stove released the first version of its fire pit, it elevated the backyard to the next level. Before Solo Stove came along, fire pits were anonymous backyard accessories that looked flimsy and uninviting. This review of Solo Stove's 2.0 fire pit considers whether the brand is still worth the investment.

Solo Stove Review (Fire Pit 2.0)

Solo Stove rose to success after introducing its very popular camp stoves. The camp stoves come in three sizes and are essential to any explorer's gear stash.

A company's second product is not often

The one complaint often raised by customers is that it was too difficult to clean the ash out of the fire pit basin. The

5 Reasons To Buy

There are plenty of reasons to buy the Solo Stove's 2.0 fire pit, but we've compiled a list of our favorite reasons for your consideration. Truthfully, a Solo Stove will be a great addition to your backyard. Last night, my son and I sat around our Solo Stove Bonfire, made s'mores, and enjoyed the warm evening.

And that really is the key. Solo Stove makes fire pits, but these smokeless fire pits offer the opportunity to pause and take life in. Life is hectic. We all need a reason to slow down.

1. Removable Ash Pan Is Game Changer

The smoke-free fire design will always stand as the #1 reason to buy a Solo Stove fire pit, but more on that in a moment. For now, let's take a moment to appreciate that a seemingly minor design improvement can make a big difference.

Solo Stove's 2.0 fire pits feature an ash pan that easily slides out of the burn chamber. On previous Solo Stove models, you would need to turn the fire pit upside down to clean the ash. While Solo Stove's products are lightweight, they are still cumbersome to turn over and clean out.

This simple improvement to implement an ash pan that can be removed from the burn chamber eliminates one of the few pain points of owning a Solo Stove. This is a feature that loyal customers have been asking for the company to add. To Solo Stove's credit, they recognized the opportunity to make the slight adjustment, resulting in an outsized impact.

A vented plate, or grate, sits atop the ash pan. Cleaning out the ash pan is as simple as removing the vented plate. There is a little room between the pan's circumference and the burn chamber's walls, making it easy to pick up once the plate is removed.

2. Smokeless Fire Pit Tech is Unmatched

Potential customers often ask whether a Solo Stove is actually smokeless. Our first-hand experience is that the fire may produce a little smoke when you first light the fire. Once the flames start rolling and the burn chamber heats up, there is very little smoke.

A few complementary features allow for this to be the case, and the ash pan mentioned above plays an essential part in the process.

Air flows into the base of the fire through vented holes. The fire pit is designed with a double wall construction that pulls the fresh air through the heated walls and out vented holes on top of the burn chamber. As a result, the rising hot air mixes with the smoke, and a secondary burn occurs. This secondary burn, or secondary combustion,

The other feature that helps is that the fire sits on a vented plate that allows ash to fall throw to the ash pan (which is now removable!). This enables fresh oxygen to enter the bottom of the fire, which increases burning efficiency. Also, burning ash tends to create smoke. Since the ash falls away from the fire, there is less smoke to burn away.

The impressive fire radiates heat and a beautiful flame. One thing worth noting is that the wood burns more quickly than it does in a traditional pit. You will either need more wood or experience a shorter fire.

This is actually kind of nice if you want to enjoy a quick fire on a Friday evening. You don't have to watch the embers die down for hours after you are ready to go inside. So, the vent holes allow oxygen to the base of the fire and heat air to create a secondary burn at the top of the fire. The result is less smoke, less ash, and a quick burning fire.

3. All Solo Stove Fire Pits Are Light & Portable

The Solo Stove Ranger is the best option if you are going car camping because it is the smallest fire pit and there for the most portable. Still, the Solo Stove Bonfire is also pretty portable if you want a fire pit that you can use at home and on the go.

Let's talk quickly about the anatomy of a Solo Stove and how it all fits together. Your Solo Stove should come with a fire pit stand, which is a stainless steel ring that sits on the ground. Your Solo Stove will sit on top of the stand, protecting your deck or ground surface from getting burned.

Inside the Solo Stove, you will find the two pieces mentioned above. The movable ash pan and vented plate are separate pieces that can be removed from the unit. Lastly, a fire ring sits on top of the unit. You place the fire ring on top of your Solo Stove once the fire is going, and it gently redirects any stray flames or embers back toward the center of the unit.

The fire ring is not to be confused with a spark ring, which is sold separately. The fire ring controls stray flames and embers near the lip of the unit. On the other hand, the spark screen provides better protection from flying embers.

So why does anatomy matter? The fire pit stand, ash pan, vented plate, and fire ring all fit inside the middle of your Solo Stove. As a result, you can easily slide the entire unit into the carrying case and pull the drawstring to keep everything secure. It's a portable campfire that works as well in your backyard as on the beach or at a campsite.

4. Stainless Steel is Beautiful & Functional

The stainless steel construction is striking when you see a Solo Stove for the first time. Most cheaper fire pits are made from painted steel, but the painted steel is prone to rust and decay over time. Stainless steel is durable and should last much longer than painted steel.

Still, while the stainless steel construction is functional, we must say more about the look. Each Solo Stove is a modern and sophisticated work of art that connects you to a more primitive and relaxed version of yourself. Perhaps it is this dichotomy that makes the Solo Stove so mesmerizing.

Your Solo Stove will burn hot and radiate heat. When the fire starts to die down, it will die down quickly, so pay close attention so you can new wood logs as necessary. Don't pour water on the fire to put it out, as mixing water and ash will create a sludge that is harmful to the unit's longevity.

A Solo Stove is a beautiful addition to your backyard or a car camping kit. Take care of your Solo Stove; it should last for years.

5. Backyard Fire Pits Are A Great Way To Relax

People gather around fire pits to relax, but in the past, the thought of gathering around a backyard campfire may have been more pleasant than the actual experience. Why? While the fire was burning, you would have to compete with smoke.

If you stayed too close to the fire, you would have a headache and a distinct stench in your clothes. Then the next day, you would have to scoop chunks of ash from the fire, likely including charred logs that never finished burning.

The Solo Stove Fire Pit 2.0 eliminates these issues, facilitating the relaxing experience you envision in your head. A Solo Stove will create a near smokeless experience, and the new ash pan system makes it incredibly easy to clean the unit out.

While Solo Stove fire pits aren't designed for cooking, they are perfect for roasting hot dogs and s'mores. Add some marshmallows onto the end of your roasting sticks, and enjoy your inner kid. Or just sit back and enjoy a glass of wine.

Regardless, relaxing evenings will never be the same.

Original Solo Stove vs. Solo Stove 2.0

The original Solo Stove fire pit was a backyard game-changer. The efficient burn results in mesmerizing flames with very little smoke.

Still, even the most innovative products evolve. Smokeless fire pits are the same way. The original Solo Stove produces less smoke than any other fire pit you can buy, but cleaning out the original fire pit requires picking the unit up and turning it over.

The Solo Stove Fire Pit 2.0 innovates on that next pain point. It features 360 airflow and smokeless technology like the original. Still, the Solo Stove 2.0 improves on the original because it is significantly easier to clean.

Removable Ash Pan Reduces Mess & Stress

While a traditional campfire leaves charred wood chunks and ash behind, the Solo Stove efficient fire leaves behind very little ash. Still, what ash is left behind can be messy to clean up. To clean the ash from most fire pits, you need to turn the fire pit upside down to dump it.

This isn't a challenging task, but it can be a pain. There have been a few occasions where I avoided starting a fire because I didn't want to clean the fire pit.

Solo Stove's Fire Pit 2.0 makes cleaning your fire pit a breeze. The addition of the removable ash pan makes it very easy to clean out your unit. A vented grate sits atop the ash pan and allows heated oxygen to flow to the base of the fire. Ash falls through the grate into the ash pan.

To clean out your unit, remove the grate, pick up the ash pan, and dump it out. It is that simple and much easier than turning the entire fire pit over to get rid of the ash.

All-New Solo Stove Bonfire, Ranger & Yukon

The removable ash pan is built into all three Solo Stove fire pit sizes. The Solo Stove Bonfire fire pit is the brand's most popular fire pit, but the burn chamber on the Bonfire fire pit is a little smaller than the mid-size fire pit offered by its main competitor in the space, Breeo.

In comparing the Solo Stove Bonfire vs. Yukon, the only real difference between the various models is the size of each unit. The Solo Stove Ranger is the smallest unit. The Bonfire and Yukon models are much larger (the Yukon model is the largest).

Remember that Solo Stove started making highly portable (trekkable) camp stoves. With this in mind, it makes sense the Solo Stove Ranger would be portable. The Solo Stove Ranger is small enough for you to throw in the back of your car on your next family road trip.

The only downside to the Ranger is that it doesn't burn large logs, which also limits the heat it produces. It is excellent as a travel companion for a family campfire by the beach, but it might be too small to use in your backyard frequently.

Our Solo Stove Bonfire review reveals that it is a perfect size for the backyard. It is big enough to produce heat for the whole family but not so big not you need to create an excessively large fire. The Solo Stove Yukon is best for large backyards where you frequently host gatherings.

The multiple Solo Stove sizes mean that there is a perfect smokeless fire pit for you, regardless of your intended use.

Alternative Smoke-Free Fire Pits

Smoke-free fire pits have increased in popularity in recent years. On Amazon, you will find many knock-offs and competitors. Most of those alternatives are made from painted steel or with lower-quality construction techniques.

In our opinion, Breeo is the most viable alternative to Solo Stove. There are a few main differences between Breeo and Solo Stove. Breeo stainless steel and corten steel are much thicker than stainless steel used by Solo Stove. As a result, Breeo fire pits are significantly heavier than that from Solo Stove.

The other difference is that Breeo fire pits are made with cooking in mind. You can design a Breeo with a sear plate ring for cooking. You can also add the Outpost accessory, a grill grate intended for cooking.

Wood-burning Fire Pit Authenticity

There is no more authentic campfire experience than to burn wood in your backyard. Gas fire pits have grown in popularity, and rightly so. Gas fire pits can be controlled with the turn of the knob, and you don't have to worry about buying wood or cleaning out the chamber.

Still, gas fire pits aren't nearly as authentic as a wood-burning fire pits. And whether you plan to grill steaks, cook veggies, or roast s'mores, gas just doesn't cut it. For a truly authentic campfire, you must choose wood.

More About Solo Stove

A company rarely re-innovates something like a camp stove and then is successful enough to re-innovate the fire pit. Since then, the brand has continued innovating with grills and even the Solo Stove Pi pizza oven.

At this point, Solo Stoves have reinvented backyards everywhere. The popularity and innovation make the brand worth considering.

Can You Build a Permanent Fire Pit Around A Solo Stove?

You shouldn't build a permanent fire pit around your Solo Stove. They need to be protected from the elements. You can either cover your Solo Stove with the accessory Shelter or store it away. Your Solo Stove won't be protected surrounded by a wall.

How Far Does Solo Stove Need To Be From House?

Position your Solo Stove at least six feet away from your house. Six feet will provide enough space to prevent the flames or embers from catching something near your house on fire. If you have more than six feet to spare, place your Solo Stove further from your home.

How Long Does Solo Stove Need To Cool Down?

The Solo Stove takes about an hour to cool down after the fire burns out. Placing the lid on the Solo Stove will help the fire pit cool down more quickly. If you are still unsure, try using an infrared thermometer to check the exterior temperature before touching it.

Is The Solo Stove Shield Worth It?

The Solo Stove Shield is worth the investment for two reasons. The Shield prevents sparks and embers from flying near you as you enjoy the fire. The Shield also enables you to walk away as the fire burns out, so you don't have to waste time watching it.

Can You Use A Duraflame Log In A Solo Stove?

You can burn Duraflame logs or other compressed logs in a Solo Stove. A Duraflame log will likely create more smoke than traditional firewood, partially defeating the purpose of using a smokeless fire pit, but compressed logs are easy and efficient.

While small twigs work well to get a fire going, some people use Duraflame logs as fire starters.

What Do You Put Under A Solo Stove?

The Solo Stove fire pit stand is the perfect accessory to sit under your fire pit. It provides separation from the fire pit and the underlying surface. Place the stand on a fireproof mat or another heat barrier for the safest results.

It is best to avoid setting your fire pit on a composite deck because it could leave burn marks. Some other surfaces, like concrete, tile, or gravel, would be better.

Can You Pour Water On Solo Stove?

Water can rapidly change the temperature of your Solo Stove, which can damage the stainless steel in the long term. Water also mixes with ash to create a nasty sludge. For these reasons, you should protect your Solo Stove from water when you can.

Can You Leave Solo Stove Outside?

You can leave your Solo Stove outside, but it is best to keep it covered from elements such as rain, snow, or even yard debris like leaves. The Solo Stove Shelter is the perfect solution for extended periods. The lid works well when the fire pit is cooling down.

Should You Buy A Solo Stove 2.0 Fire Pit?

Few experiences are more relaxing than sitting around a fire pit with family and friends. Whether you prefer a glass of wine or roasting marshmallows, a Solo Stove is sure to deliver many memories.

The new and improved

A Solo Stove is a worthwhile investment.