SOLO STOVE Bonfire (Non Valk) - Update

[carolinarider09]

Have seen this advertised on TV.  Wife wants one for "just in case".   Any one have one that can provide any feedback pros/cons/?

Thanks.  

https://www.solostove.com/solo-stove-bonfire/?msclkid=a7a23d9c036c193d25df5f8676f58a3e

[Serk]

I've been looking at 'em too, we like to have firepit night, but my mom doesn't often join in because of the smoke...

I've been told you can make one yourself out of an old washing machine tub, might be something to look into if you wanna cheap out and do some DIY'ing...

[Jersey mike]

Have seen this advertised on TV.  Wife wants one for "just in case".   Any one have one that can provide any feedback pros/cons/?

Thanks. 

https://www.solostove.com/solo-stove-bonfire/?msclkid=a7a23d9c036c193d25df5f8676f58a3e

I've heard about these but not sure where though. The only drawback I can see (for me) is it looks small.

On the website there's almost 14,000 reviews and I don't always go by online reviews only but so many of these have photos available too so it's real people posting their experiences.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks for the responses.  I shall look into the size.   

I don't know if we have a real use for it but since "she who must be obeyed" sort of wants one and I don't mind.

My daughter has one and we did use it when we visited her new place near Richmond last year. 

[Jersey mike]

Thanks for the responses.  I shall look into the size.   

I don't know if we have a real use for it but since "she who must be obeyed" sort of wants one and I don't mind.

My daughter has one and we did use it when we visited her new place near Richmond last year. 

Since the price is reduced it won't hurt as much as if it was full price and disappointing.

Happy wife, happy life

[Chrisj CMA]

Just get some bricks or pavers and make a fire pit. Burn charcoal, hardwood or get fancy and run a propane line and a single burner if you want. That looks like a rip off to me

[Patrick]

That thing is only 19.5" dia.  They just had to include that 1/2".

[carolinarider09]

I had not looked at the size in real measurements just the pictures.  19.5 inches is fairly small is it not. 

It sure looks a lot bigger in the photos.  Will have to look at those hotdogs again and do an approximation. 

And yes I could, might, be able to build one.  However, the portability thing is sort of nice if you need to "move out".   

[RNFWP]

One of my nephews has one and loves it. Works as advertised. Had it less than a year so can't speak to longevity.

Price? size? ...not everything is a fit for everyone... two cent review...

[Jess from VA]

For that small size (almost like my old woodstove in the basement), it would burn those fake logs pretty well, and they burn for a long time and reduce to dust (for cleaning).  

Ideally, you have some prevailing wind/breeze (mine is SE to NW), and you try to put it where smoke moves away from where you sit.  In a pinch you can set out a fan if you have electric.

Unless you enjoy lugging and chopping wood.


When I used my deck all the time, I used an old round Weber charcoal BBQ as a small fireplace. 

[carolinarider09]

Did my share of chopping wood in my "youth".    But, it could be done.  As the wife and I were walking the property today with our dog (Zoe Walk) I asked what she had considering burning in the "fireplace".

She said, "well we have plenty of hickory and oak tress here on the property (and we do).   I then suggested that it did take some work to convert those trees to "burning material".  She then pointed out the 40 - 50 feet plus (long) 16" plus diameter oak tree that was "felled" during the wind storm we had a few years ago. 

Oh well, just need to get a splitter to run on the tractors PTO 

Oh,,, found another unit, more options, little higher in price.

https://breeo.co

[Serk]

The thing with the Solo is that once it's going it's designed to recirculate the smoke through the fire until it's all burned up to reduce smoke to almost nil...

And, they come in many sizes, you can go as big as your budget allows:

https://www.solostove.com/fire-pits/

[cookiedough]

seems a tad pricey to me. 

we got a small patio heater and if sit 3 to 4 ft away is hot enough and not take up much space.  we got at Target clearance end of fall last year like this one for 75 bucks was like 120 or more OEM pricing, good deal, runs on 1 lb. propane cylinders of which I bought the adapter to re-fill from 20 to 1lb. tanks, works well get about 85 to 90 percent propane transfer good enough for me.

https://www.target.com/p/pipestone-17-lp-fire-column-project-62/-/A-76627406?preselect=76536075#lnk=sametab

Or, do what we have done if want MORE heat and have the space, we got some 15-20 years ago at Aldi's a large copper kettle firepit for around 40 bucks with heavy duty iron metal platform about 42 inches around can hold like 4 huge size wood chunks burns for 3-4 hours and gets super HOT having flames 3-4 feet in the air at times if stocked fire well with more wood.  Sure beats blowing over 200 bucks if you ask me does the same thing under 100 bucks for either one.

[h13man]

I like the concept but the formation of any type of coal bed in any thin walled steel regardless if its stainless (best) or conventional steel. As long as its kept to minimal wood content as probably suggested by manufacture, I'd say it should last but..... "As seen on TV" sales pitch, meh. 

[carolinarider09]

I like the concept but the formation of any type of coal bed in any thin walled steel regardless if its stainless (best) or conventional steel. As long as its kept to minimal wood content as probably suggested by manufacture, I'd say it should last but..... "As seen on TV" sales pitch, meh. 

Can you define what you mean by "minimal wood content"? 

[Tundra]

Darn it, I showed the wife

All my comments are out the window. She thinks it would be great as we have fire's all summer long in Florida out by the pool at night. Her thoughts: Who wants to go to bed stinking like smoke and who wants to come in and take a shower to go to bed?
 We will be trying this. I already have three fire pits, one small one on the front porch and two large ones in the back yard placed in different areas due to her request per smoke.

The front porch I had to attempt to build a duct to route the smoke away and up. Depends on the wind, if any. So, I'll be a guinea pig.

[carolinarider09]

If you don't mind, let me know which one you pick and a couple of reasons why.   

I don't know if I really have a need for one but since "spousal unit" has the desire for one......

[Rams]

I like the water feature fire pit I built.   Propane powered.  
I'd like to get a glass barrel but have no idea where I could find one and if I did, it would most likely be beyond reach $$ wise.   But, it's still cool.
If the hotel doesn't mind, I might bring it to Mississippi Spring Fling. 
We'll have to see if they mind a fire in the parking lot. 

Rams

[henry 008]

Greg (No Grey) has 1 and he seems to really like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wbE2B_-Dw

[carolinarider09]

Did some more research. Was about to buy (well had no pushed the button but had it in the cart) the large Solo device.  Then I watched a couple of videos (links below) and found out the Solo was made in China.  The Breeo is made (all of it they say) in Pennsylvania.

Also looked at the specs.  The wife wants to be able to move it around but suggested she wanted to try it out on the deck.  That makes the larger units (at 70 pounds) a bit heavy to move around and also puts a load on the deck.

Also there is the heat problem.  Not enough to "Ignite" wood as I remember but enough to cause some issues (somewhere around 200 degrees F or less).  So for a wooden deck the use of paving stones are recommended. 

Breeo has two.  The deciding factor will probably be the weight but still looking. 

First link is to the Breeo.  The second link is to "The Final Comparison".   The guy does a good job.

https://breeo.co/pages/backyard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQLYoNZh8Ro

[Tundra]

Good information very well presented.  I did not push the button either.
I like the attached feet, lighter weight, made in America and cooking accessories. Makes a better choice.
His presentation makes it a no brainer between those two choices.

[Louis]

  +1 for Made in USA.

[carolinarider09]

Good information very well presented.  I did not push the button either.
I like the attached feet, lighter weight, made in America and cooking accessories. Makes a better choice.
His presentation makes it a no brainer between those two choices.

My thoughts exactly.    I have spoken (well texted them) with Breeo and will make an order sometime next week.  We have a short road trip to the Florida panhandle starting next week so I want to have it delivered after we get back. 

The other option is to have FedEx hold the order once shipped but that has more variables. 

I selected the non-stainless steel model.  I like its looks.   Stainless might be a little better but, from what I have seen and read the non-stainless steel is a good unit.  Spousal unit has not been informed.   Will let her know when it arrives.  Of course when I purchase three small paving stones, she might wonder 

[Tundra]

Nice
My wife is watching the link you provided now.

Thanks for sharing it

[carolinarider09]

My pleasure.  I find it nice to be able to post this kind of stuff and get reasonable feedback from others I can at least "relate" to.   

As I said, mine will be a surprise the week of March 13th.... So we shall see.

[3fan4life]

It looks like there are some other options available



https://www.etsy.com/listing/730376327/fire-pit-hand-crafted-from-washing?gpla=1&gao=1&

[carolinarider09]

Interesting !

[carolinarider09]

Well I did not get the surprise as I intended.   Just ordered the 19" Breeo today. 

I got the single top cover, the full cover and the spark shield.  I also orded, based on some more infomraiotn a stand or what they call a 'fire pit base and footrest" from Amistad Grill Co.  It was recommeded on the Breeo website. 

I purchased the 19" because of weight and size and expected location.  Not sure where the will want to put it but we have about 18 feet of space between the back wall of the porch enclosure and the railing.   

Weight was another issue.   

Now to build a "lean to" for the wood.   I have a bunch of 1" x 6" x 14 - 16' pine boards that are outside and covered with unused metal roofing from construction.  I would like to put them under some better protection.  But that would be a big lean to.  Oh the pine boards were from when we cleared the land and had to fell some pine tress that did not get felled in the first clearing operation.  They gentlemen had a machine that made what we use to call "saw timber". 

But I digress.   Let you all know how the thing works. 

[carolinarider09]

The 19" Breeo came in today.   Pretty quick really.   I also ordered a "stand' from another company that has yet to arrive. 

Now to get some "wood" and see how it works. 

[Jess from VA]

Where's the hose?   

[Tundra]

We'll certainly need a review

[Serk]

The 19" Breeo looks a lot bigger than I imagined it would. I've had a shopping cart built out with the 24" for the last week, just haven't been able to make myself pull the trigger yet...

Initial thoughts and impressions? Solid build?

[carolinarider09]

I too was strongly considering the 24" but the weight of the stove forced me to go to the 19".   I could probably pick it up today (the 24") but in a few years who knows.

Constriction and looks.  Stove is as expected, solid, well built, strong.   When I picked it up to move it to the back porch if felt very solid.  Nothing flexed when I lifted it. 

The stainless steel cover is a bit awkward to use and maybe even store but is also well made.  It seems big but, fits perfectly.

The spark screen also is well made and seems to be what I would have expected in quality.  Took me a few tries to get the placement device in the right spot. But once that was done, it was/is easy to take on and off. 

All the little things seem to be high quality which generally speaks to overall quality. 

[Serk]

Appreciate it. As this one is not intended to be portable I think you just talked me into hitting Buy on the 24"... Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!

[carolinarider09]

Appreciate it. As this one is not intended to be portable I think you just talked me into hitting Buy on the 24"... Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!

Ah yes, when I had it in the cart is was a bit heavy.   

[carolinarider09]

And, if I did the math right the 24" is 50% more surface area than the 19".   

[nogrey]

I have a Yukon, a Bonfire, and a Campfire. Each have their unique uses. I use the Yukon on my patio, the Bonfire when camping, and the campfire when 4-wheeling. Excellent products all. If you want a discount on them, I can provide a link that will give you one. Here are a few videos of my use of them: https://youtu.be/dBpaH8mDbBM
https://youtu.be/pThC0SPlfZM
https://youtu.be/yjauN-SLMq8
https://youtu.be/INh082KBt9k
https://youtu.be/CKzF6CO0WAc

[carolinarider09]

Thanks nogrey but we have purchased and have used (once) the 19" Breeo smokeless Fire Pit. 

Used it last night for the first time.

https://rumble.com/vxzj09-breeo-madien-voyage-video-1.html
https://rumble.com/vxzj5v-breeo-smokeless-fire-pit-video-two.html

[nogrey]

A little slow these days. Congratulations on the Breeo, super-nice units and built like tanks. Enjoy!

[carolinarider09]

A little slow these days. Congratulations on the Breeo, super-nice units and built like tanks. Enjoy!