Ever since the Boy Scouts, I’ve around campfires and fire pits. Camping, backyard BBQs, I’ve seen my share of good and bad fire pits.
I bought a fancy one at Home Depot once that was thin sheet metal painted black. It had a bit of a chimney on top which I thought might help draw up the smoke. But that didn’t work and before long the metal rusted, even though I spray painted it each season with high temperature Rustoleum, and the metal “spark” screens bent and warped from the heat of the fire.
Friends have had large diameter, shallow raised fire pits that afforded way to much firewood that threatened to spill over the edge and a dubious thin mesh spark screen for the top with instantly warped out of shape.
So with old rusted pile of metal which was the old fire pit at the dump and a new house, I decided to do some research and find a better solution. This is how I came across the amazing Solo Stove Bonfire.
Backpackers are probably familiar with the original Solo Stoves (see above) for rapidly boiling water using only natural fuels like bark, sticks and pine needles. The design allow for lot of air to be drawn into the fire (kind of like blowing on it or using a bellows) so you get a small but very hot fire. No need to care fuel like white gas or propane canisters. Just perhaps a pocket full of lint and a few minutes of gathering some local fuel from the woods.
The Solo Stove Bonfire takes this same principle of airflow to a bigger scale for backyard campfires and the benefits are amazing. Here are some advantages and features of the Solo Stove Bonfire that makes it so great.
Stainless Steel Construction
The Solo Stove Bonfire costs a bit more than the black painted steel fire pits you’ll see at Lowes or Home Depot but this one will last a heck of a lot longer and look good through out its lifetime. If you have purchased a stainless steel grill or stainless steel kitchen appliances you know that stainless steel can be cleaned as need. The inside of the Bonfire may get sooty and blacken but as the fire reaches higher temperatures this typically burns away. The outside stays clean.
No Assembly
The Bonfire comes completely assembled. Everything is soldered. No assembly, no screws to come loose — just three parts, the main unit, the wind screen and a storage/carrying case.
Incredible Burn
Solo Stoves unique designs create highly effective burning because of the airflow created by the design. Not only does the firewood burn brightly all during the evening but there is really not need to poke at the fire and after the fire has extinguished itself, the is minimal ash left over.
Virtually No Smoke
The worst part of a campfire is having smokey clothes afterwords. Because the design of the Solo Stove Bonfire creates such a great airflow, there is very little smoke.
Looks Great
Burning wood in the Bonfire greats a lot of flames shooting out of the top and if the conditions are right, off gasses get burned around the ring like a you might see in a well-built wood stove. Which means a better looking, better smelling and more efficient burning fire. Even when the fire is getting smaller you can still see the reflection of the flames off of the stainless steel sides.
Easy Clean Up
No shovels or other tools needed for clean up. In the morning after the fire is completely out, just pick up the stove and dump out the minimal amount of ash that is left over. The outside stays clean.
Portable
How fire pits are portable? The Solo Stove Bonfire is relatively lightweight at 20 pound, compact and comes with a quality carrying case. It is made to be social, take it over to friends house, take it camping, store it way at the end of the season.
Safe
The Solo Stove Bonfire is designed double wall construction so the outside doesn’t become too hot and the bottom stays relatively cool. Within reason you can place the stove just about anywhere because the bottom, with its constant airflow doesn’t get so hot that it would start a fire. I’d place to some pavers underneath just as a precaution though.
- Solo Stove Bonfire, the world’s most unique fire pit, pushes the limits of both combustion airflow efficiency and minimalist outdoor design with its all stainless steel construction. It was painstakingly engineered to provide a backyard fire experience that cannot be duplicated.
- SECONDARY COMBUSTION – Double wall design maximizes airflow and burning process. Bottom vent holes allow oxygen to the feed the fire from below while simultaneously channeling warm oxygen up between the walls of the stove and back into the fire.
- EFFICIENT BURN/LOW SMOKE – A more complete burn means little to no smoke. It also means no more half burnt logs to deal with.
- NO MORE DODGING SMOKE – Since Bonfire burns with almost no smoke, you’ll spend less time dodging smoke and your clothes won’t smell. You’ll spend more time enjoying the fire!
- EASY TO USE & PORTABLE – The Bonfire’s singular construction completely removes the need for parts and assembly. There is literally no setup. Heavy duty carry case included. Size: 14″ tall, 19.5″ diameter.
