Solo camp stoves

[drmox]

People who own them swear by them, and they are kind of the Airstream of the fire pit world, so what better place to ask some questions.
How much heat does it put out? For perspective, put it in a percentage with a description: 100% would be the same as your standard open wood bonfire. 80%, but that's only because I'm restricted to the size of fire I can build, 50%, and the majority of the heat goes straight up and is therefore wasted, etc.
I love the idea of a smokeless fire, but resist the idea of being limited by log size. I get that they're expensive, but if money was the #1 thing that drove me, would I own an Airstream?

[Prettygood]

I have had the bonfire mode for almost two years now, and love it. It puts out more heat than the normal fire pit at a campground since is burns much hotter. I would say that at ground/foot level a little less than the normal ring. The lack of smoke once hot is very true, and it burns the wood completely.

If I had to do it over again, I would get the Ranger model instead. A bit smaller than the bonfire, and would be easier to move and transport when camping.

Great purchase!

[OTRA15]

FYI earlier AF mentions of the Solo Stove:

https://www.google.com/search?q=solo...=airforums.com

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f42...lf-204829.html
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=solo+stov...s_ts-doa-p_1_4

FYI
FWIW

[GCinSC2]

Not equal but a strong alternative.

Drum from a discarded washing machine. Cost? a few bucks maybe.

[LNBright]

Solo does make stoves, but when looking at them, you're not wanting a stove, you're wanting a fire pit.

It's funny: it doesn't put out as much heat towards the side as you might expect, but it puts a lot of heat UP: so standing around it, you can get closer to it than you might think, but it does have a lot of heat above it.

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Not equal but a strong alternative.

Drum from a discarded washing machine. Cost? a few bucks maybe.

Ya know, the very first time I saw one, that's what I thought it was. And, if you can weld, you could fab up your own, the idea behind it has been well developed before Solo came along and ramped up a production/marketing version. But while it looks like it's just a simple drum, it's the double wall, heating and drawing up air out the top inside the lip that does the 'magic'.

Definitely catch a sale, tho'.... whew....

[s1000pre]

I have had my solo stove fire pit for 2 years now. Since, I think every neighbor on my block now owns a solo stove. Better heat than open fire...this is why it does a good job recirculating and burning off the smoke. Another feature I discovered. Flip over the top ring and a Weber grill grate drops in nice and snug for wood fire cooking!

[Prettygood]

Originally Posted by s1000pre

I have had my solo stove fire pit for 2 years now. Since, I think every neighbor on my block now owns a solo stove. Better heat than open fire...this is why it does a good job recirculating and burning off the smoke. Another feature I discovered. Flip over the top ring and a Weber grill grate drops in nice and snug for wood fire cooking!

The 18” grate? Fantastic idea, and only $19

[Too tall]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Not equal but a strong alternative.

Drum from a discarded washing machine. Cost? a few bucks maybe.

1000% this. A friend at or PA campsite made one and it is absolutely great. IIRC he set it inside a truck rim.

[Bcc75]

Just bought the Ranger. I was concerned that it was too small but I think it’s going to work just fine. Go ahead and get the stand. It’s worth it. Then you will never have to worry about burning anything that the stove is sitting on. The only limitation with the Ranger is that your wood chunks can really be only about 8-10” to be effective. I spent about 30 minutes at home last weekend with my chainsaw cutting some split seasoned firewood into chunks to use with the stove. In no time flat I had a whole plastic container full of enough wood for a camping trip. So it’s not a big deal to me.

[OTRA15]

Our local farm stand sells firewood of various lengths, and has a bin of cut-offs that are almost free for the taking. May have to get a small Solo for the back yard and camping trips.

[drmox]

Ok, so this thread is turning out as conflicting as the reviews on Amazon.
The folks who like their stove rave about how it burns the wood hotter and more efficiently, and therefore puts out more heat.
Naysayers talk about the design that draws in air to feed the fire and produces intense heat in an almost vertical direction. So the heat put out is wasted unless you choose to huddle up next to it, or stand over it.
Which is it?

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by drmox

Ok, so this thread is turning out as conflicting as the reviews on Amazon.
The folks who like their stove rave about how it burns the wood hotter and more efficiently, and therefore puts out more heat.
Naysayers talk about the design that draws in air to feed the fire and produces intense heat in an almost vertical direction. So the heat put out is wasted unless you choose to huddle up next to it, or stand over it.
Which is it?

That's what I said above: it does have a 'reburn' and consumes the wood, has little smoke once it gets going. It's warm beside it, but it won't burn you out... there've been many fires hat I've gotten going, and then can't stay right at it, have to back away... you don't have to back away from a Solo stove. I don't see it as naysaying, I see it as a good thing. But yes, the fire is down inside a steel tube, it's not roasting you beside the tube, but when you're up above the tube, there is a lot of heat.

[s1000pre]

Originally Posted by drmox

Ok, so this thread is turning out as conflicting as the reviews on Amazon.
The folks who like their stove rave about how it burns the wood hotter and more efficiently, and therefore puts out more heat.
Naysayers talk about the design that draws in air to feed the fire and produces intense heat in an almost vertical direction. So the heat put out is wasted unless you choose to huddle up next to it, or stand over it.
Which is it?

If Im concerned about heat, I usually huddle up to the fire regardless if its open or a solo stove. The difference is you don't have that strong burnt wicked stench of bon-fire smoke all over your clothes or in your hair. I have actually worn the same jacket/sweatshirt the next day without any issues after sitting next to the Solo Stove. You will never do that sitting next to an open fire. I also find starting a fire in a solo stove is easier since it traps the heat. What motivated our neighbors to purchase Solo Stoves was the night they stopped by our house to say hello, then proceed over to another neighbor who had an open fire pit. Is it perfect, no! is it a big improvement...yes.

[nitzo]

I like the Solo stoves and I'm sure we will end up with one. But, we will still keep this Pop-up Pit for when we want a more "open" fire. And the way it packs, there is no reason we can't have both. Price is also right.