Solo Stove Pros & Cons: My Honest Review

Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Kieran Beckles

Are you someone who loves an outdoor fire pit, but you can’t stand the smell of smoke on your clothes and hair?

I love sitting by a fire in our home in California, watching the sun go down as nocturnal wildlife emerges and the stars shine brightly above.

However, I have difficulty convincing my wife to sit with me because our traditional fire pit leaves her hair smelling of smoke before she goes to bed.

But I discovered the Solo Stove and couldn’t wait to try it for the promise of a smokeless fire.

Having purchased my Solo Stove during Black Friday in 2024, I’ve had over 12 months to test it and figure out the pros and cons.

In this article, I will share my pros and cons of the Solo Stove based on my experience using it in my backyard.

Solo Stove Pros

Before we delve into my pros and cons, I quickly wanted to explain how the smokeless feature works. The Solo Stove has a double-wall stainless steel design. They’ve purposefully placed vents to control airflow. Solo Stove states online that cool air initially enters through the bottom air vents, and the rest of the air rises up the stainless steel walls, before the hot air exits through the vents in the upper ring. This is called the second combustion.

Less smoke than a traditional fire pit

This was the main reason I wanted the Solo Stove. We had a traditional fire pit that we had used for the previous two years. The smoke was an issue. Once we got the fire going, it would disperse, but would return suddenly. I loved the Solo Stove’s consistency. We rarely had any smoke provided we followed the instructions, didn’t overload the fire pit or stack it above the rim, and used dry wood. My wife is much happier to keep me company by the fire now that we have the Solo Stove, which was my overall goal. So for that reason alone, the Solo Stove has been a worthwhile investment.

Easy to use and light

I chose the Bonfire model because I didn’t want to buy the most expensive (Canyon), but I wanted a decent-sized fire pit. There aren’t too many components, so it’s easy to set up. My Solo Stove was ready to go within a few minutes of delivery. Fortunately, I had some firelighters and dry wood ready to go. I would recommend investing in some firelighters on Amazon to make your life easier. We’ve lit many fires without firelighters, too. It’s quick and easy to get a fire going with the Solo Stove, even with a traditional method like dry leaves and small kindling sticks.

Aesthetically pleasing to watch

We don’t have to deal with smoke or an overpowering smell, but we haven’t sacrificed any of the fire pit ambience. I read some customer reviews online where the Solo Stove received criticism for lacking the classic fire-pit feel. I wouldn’t say that reflects my experience. My Solo Stove has brought our family together more than ever. When extended members of my family come over, there’s no hesitation to sit by the fire pit, because there’s no smoke and smell. When my friends from the East Coast and Asia visit, they proactively ask whether we can build a fire pit.

Durable

I purchased a cover for my Solo Stove Bonfire, but I sometimes forget to keep it covered. Of course, it doesn’t have the same shine anymore, having been used many times. But it’s still in good shape. My Bonfire has little to no rust on the exterior. It’s held up to the weather conditions but I would recommend keeping it covered if you remember, because it will keep your Solo Stove in even better condition.

Modern appearance

Finally, my wife was a fan of Solo Stove’s design, which made it easier to persuade her to invest in a smokeless fire pit. It’s got a sleek design, and we’re happy to have it on display in our backyard. It looks modern, but my favorite design feature is the fire once it’s alight. I’ve used my Bonfire at least 30 times since purchasing it, but I still get a kick out of seeing the ring of fire.

Solo Stove Cons

Expensive

The Solo Stove is a premium fire pit that costs more than traditional fire pits and even some other “smokeless” fire pits available online or at your local supermarket. I paid just under $400 for my Bonfire pit. A quick browse on their website suggests prices have increased since I purchased my Solo Stove. They have five models: Ranger, Bonfire, Yukon, Summit, and Canyon. The price ranges from around $200 to $1000.

Heat doesn’t radiate outwards

I’ve only one complaint about the Solo Stove: the heat doesn’t radiate outward. This is more of a complaint from Yasmin than from me. But it is noticeable. You can purchase a heat disperser either from Solo Stove or from knockoffs on online retailers. My wife is convinced traditional fire pits are more effective at distributing heat.

Still some smoke

While the Solo Stove fire pits are billed as smokeless, some smoke still escapes. This usually occurs when you’re lighting the fire. My best advice is to avoid overfilling or overstacking the wood in your Solo Stove. If it exceeds the upper rim, you may experience smoke. Secondly, never use damp wood! Otherwise, you’ll have a mostly smokeless experience!

Add ons

Some of the Solo Stove extras cost more. It’s a pity they’re not included with your purchase. For instance, I’d like the grill or the heat disperser. However, these are add-ons that incur higher costs.

Wrapping Up Solo Stove Review

So there we have it. I’ve reached the end of our Solo Stove pros and cons article.

Overall, I highly recommend the Solo Stove if you’re looking for a smokeless fire pit.

It’s been a great investment that’s allowed my wife and me to enjoy summer evenings outside, while bringing family together on special occasions.