Anyone use a Solo Stove

[bstar1952]

Just brought a used Solo Stove "Bonfire". Pro and Cons if you're using. Brought because it was a great deal but not for sure if I'll use it. Looks pretty neat though and from what I've heard, its almost smokeless.

[Bend]

I've been using the Solo's competitor for a decade when backpacking, etc.:

Silverfire Scout

For the trailer, its the:

Survivor Rocket Stove

Both are near smokeless after startup.

[ajriding]

I made one. I can tell you there is much more to it than a can with holes.
It burns the wood and then the gases in the smoke can be re-ignited and burned as fuel. This second burn is a clean smokeless burn.
For auto or trailer camping this is a lot of work and not entirely smokeless. There is a lot of smoke and sut when getting it going, or when the fire gets low, or too high. The fire needs to be just right to work perfectly, which is most of the time, but not all the time. It is for outside use only.
For short camp trips in a vehicle/camper propane is quicker and cleaner.
For long stays or the true off-gridder this stove is the ticket.
Your pots will become black.

There are battery powered models out there that blow air into the fire to feed more oxygen that burn hotter, quicker too, and probably give a more consistent heat.

This has nothing to do with a fire ring, or truck wheels or any kind of fire pit. Im not sure why people are talking about fire pits in a stove discussion, but such is a forum...

[ksg5000]

Smaller ones are very popular with backpackers/bikers etc - there kinda spendy but get great reviews.

[OleManOleCan]

At two different hunting clubs I used a 15" truck rim and a 16" grill grate from Walmart. That was a cooking machine. The last club i was a member of I used a rim off of an old ice cream truck. It took a 24" grill grate from Walmart. It worked great, but it may have made a better small fire pit.
I cooked on tire rims off and on for 10-15 years. Worked great.

BTW: A used tire store gave me both rims.
When I left those clubs I gave the rims to buddies who were still members there. (RECYCLING)

[naturist]

Been using a Solo Stove Bonfire for a couple years and love it. It works perfectly as advertised. Smokeless, or nearly so, even with poorly seasoned wood. Lights easily with a couple fire starters even with no kindling. Use it at home as well as camping. Worth every penny of the $250 I paid for it.

[Halmfamily]

Love our Solostove. My wife cannot stand smoke from the campfire and she's the first one to start a campfire now. They get really hot and make sure your legs don't extend over the top.

[RoyF]

Lwiddis wrote:
If you are backpacking and don’t want to carry fuel...maybe.

I believe that you still have to add the wood. This is just the stove to burn it in.

[Big_Blue]

I have one - great fire pit.

[bstar1952]

Thanks all for the comments. I do agree it looks like an old washing machine tub. Everywhere I looked on-line, this fire pit is $300. Probably would never buy a new one but for less than half price, its going to be a keeper.

[NWnative]

Works great....we rarely head to the campground without it.

[bukhrn]

jdc1 wrote:

bstar1952 wrote:
Just brought a used Solo Stove "Bonfire". Pro and Cons if you're using. Brought because it was a great deal but not for sure if I'll use it. Looks pretty neat though and from what I've heard, its almost smokeless.

A $300.00 washing machine drum?

Yah really, it looks a lot like the washing machine drums we've seen in use for years, available at any junk yard or recycle center for $5, or free.
Can't say anything about the stove as I've never seen one.

[Lwiddis]

If you are backpacking and don’t want to carry fuel...maybe.

[352]

HERE

[jdc1]

bstar1952 wrote:
Just brought a used Solo Stove "Bonfire". Pro and Cons if you're using. Brought because it was a great deal but not for sure if I'll use it. Looks pretty neat though and from what I've heard, its almost smokeless.

A $300.00 washing machine drum?