Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Review

It didn't take long for our testers to gravitate towards the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0. The best combination of heat output, smokeless burn, and easy clean-up helped the Bonfire 2.0 rise above the rest. If you don't mind the higher price tag, this is a solid investment that will last. Solo Stove also offers a wide range of accessories, such as heat deflectors, pellet adaptors, and pit surrounds, to help compliment your fire pit.

Since our initial review, the design of the Solostove Bonfire 2.0 has not changed significantly. However, Solostove has updated the option to purchase the Bonfire as a bundle with various color options; otherwise, these colors are unavailable if bought separately. Solostove, however, continually creates new fire pit accessories, such as heat deflectors and grill tops for your firepit. It is nice to know that they continually expand upon their initial product offerings.

Tested and Rated

At GearLab, all the products tested and reviewed are bought at retail, and we never accept freebies or discounts. All our products are subjected to real, hands-on testing supported by objective, quantified data. I spent several months using these firepits in various scenarios, from multiple days of camping to fires in the backyard and even during the brunt of winter to help stay warm. Our different tests and hands-on experiences help create the most thorough review possible.

Performance Comparison

Heat Output

For this metric, I measured heat through the use of infrared thermometers and a “feel” test from two, four, and six feet away to gauge heat dispersion. Combining the two tests gives our overall heat output score. The Solo Stove consistently read up to 1,000°F and was also the star in our burn time tests.

To test burn time, I fed our test pits with equal parts wood and starter, then timed how long it took for each pit to burn out. The Bonfire burned for 60 minutes on just three medium-sized logs, which was impressive considering its size. I also measured the maximum log length for each pit. The ability to stuff a larger log into the pit also helps achieve a longer burn time. The Bonfire was able to comfortably fit logs up to 16 inches. The longest burn times in our test were achieved by pits that utilized propane tanks. Amongst the wood burning pits, the Bonfire performed quite well.

During testing, I continued to come back to the Solo Stove Bonfire because it provides the best mix of heat and smokeless burn. The Bonfire didn't offer the highest heat output out of the bunch, but I felt it provided the best overall experience. This included one of the longest burn times, an incredibly quick ignition process, and enough heat to keep multiple people warm through the night.

Smoke Management

Along with heat output, a fire pit that keeps smoke away is an essential component of a good fire pit. To gauge smoke, I used more subjective testing. This included igniting pits side by side with equal parts of wood to evaluate which models produced more or less smoke than others.

The design of the Solo Stoves airflow system allows for a secondary burn that places it at the top of our wood-burning pits. Not only was the Solo Stove the most impressive during peak use, but it controlled smoke levels best during ignition and extinguishment. While all smokeless fire pits will emit some smoke during use, I found the Solo Stove had the most effective design aimed at keeping smoke at a minimum.

We also conducted a smoke test using unseasoned wood. Wetter, unseasoned wood tends to create more smoke, but it helps put these smokeless models to the test. The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 did the best out of our test group at taming smoke with less-than-ideal wood. While all fire pits produced more smoke, the Bonfire was visibly less than all others, with considerably less time to achieve a roaring fire.

Portability

With a weight of 21 lbs and dimensions of 19.5" x 19.5" x 14", the Bonfire is one of the lighter options on the market relative to its size.

The cylindrical shape and use of stainless steel mean the Bonfire isn't particularly hard to carry, but with no built-in handle, it can feel slightly awkward to move. Still, I had no problem moving it from the car to the campsite, and we found it to be one of the more portable smokeless pit options that was still large enough for smaller groups and families.

Ease of Cleaning

While maybe the least fun part of owning a fire pit, making sure you can minimize the effort and time required to clean your fire pit is ideal. The Bonfire 2.0 was updated from its predecessor to include a removable ash pan that resides underneath the base plate. With a straightforward and simple design, the ashtray helps speed up the cleanup process. Our one gripe is that you still have to pick up the tray from inside the pit as opposed to a slide or drawer mechanism found in other fire pits.

Still, I think having an included ashtray makes life easier and saves you the hassle of awkwardly lifting and dumping your ash from the pit.

Ease of Assembly

To evaluate the Bonfire's ease of assembly, I ran a timer to see how long it took to assemble out of the box and considered if any tools or special instructions were required.

Assembly was under a minute with the Bonfire; all it took was unboxing and putting the ash pan and fire ring onto the pit. Apart from the easy setup, I also appreciated how well-packaged the bonfire was to avoid any damage to the stainless steel.

Should You Buy the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0?

The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is a great choice for someone willing to invest in a top-of-the-line smokeless fire pit. The versatility of the Bonfire helps it excel across the board, whether that's for tailgating, camping, or backyard gatherings. Our tests gave us high regard for this pit, and it went above and beyond our expectations. Between its effective design, ease of use, and visual appeal, it's hard to go wrong.

What Other Fire Pits Should You Consider?

If you like the Solo Stove but need something bigger to accommodate more friends, we were also big fans of the Bonfire's larger brother, the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0. If you are worried about summer fire restrictions, we also reviewed a great propane-fed fire pit option, the Outland Living Mega. And if you need a more permanent deck or patio option, we suggest taking a look at the Outland Living Granville.