Smokeless fire pits

[S4Cruiser]

I'm interested in one of these Solostove Bonfire pits also. Been eyeing one for a while. Curious if this would cause any issues setting it on a concrete driveway? I live in town, but like to have little neighborhood get together/ "campfires" out on the driveway in the summertime. On their website they have a deal going on right now for blackfriday. Buy the Solostove Bonfire, get a free Solostove Campfire (smaller version) for free. And free shipping. Was thinking about getting one.

I picked up a bonfire on Tuesday and have used it twice since. Both times on our concrete pool deck. I did set the solo stove on a few concrete pavers just in case...but after using it and seeing how not hot the bottom gets, placing it directly on the concrete seems like a non issue.

My parents were by the house today and got to sit around a fire...my pops ordered one before they left to head home!

 

[MattMiller]

Yeah I've heard some of those are pretty cool, but I still want an actual wood fire.

There are options available for wood-burning fire pit as well. You can get it under $200.

 

[Haggis]

I think the Solo Stove is amazing. Worth every penny in regards to warmth, efficiency and ambiance.

 

[craaaazzy]

they are currently on sale for $247 if anyone is interested...much easier to swallow at this price.

 

[JohnVee]

Dammit. By the end of the week the brown truck will bring me a Bonfire and a Ranger. Not even my fault. The wife found the Black Friday deal. I sure do hope they'll nest for storage.

 

[craaaazzy]

Just pulled the trigger and bought 2 of them...damn this site.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Anybody knows how much more/less radiant heat those bon fire pits produce compared to a campfire ?

I use a propane (little red campfire) fire pit, and although not ideal it sure beats not having a campfire at all...
Plus having instant fire in the early morning kicks ass.....!!

Edit: forgot the word "heat"

 

[craaaazzy]

I have no personal experience but from all the videos I’ve watched, it looks to be significantly less (smoke is hard to capture on video but u can see smoke on regular fire pit where as this u can see very little)

 

[jdayment]

I've been looking hard at the biolite version FirePit

 

[DickM]

I use a propane (little red campfire) fire pit, and although not ideal it sure beats not having a campfire at all...
Plus having instant fire in the early morning kicks ass.....!!

Amen, especially if you are the designated coffee guy on those "brisk" fall mornings.

 

[Dharma Dude]

I've been looking hard at the biolite version FirePit

Wow, I'm glad to learn about this biolite FirePit. Thank you. I would get it over the Solo Bonfire.

IMO the firepit has one big distinct advantage over the Solo Bonfire. First, it has a dark mesh exterior which will better radiate heat out to surrounding occupants. The bonfire's chrome stainless steel appearance is going to do that less well and push the heat upwards more.

The downside of the Firepit is that it has that ugly orange battery/fan unit that also needs to be charged.

I also don't care for the bluetooth app thing. Just add a eff'ing knob to control the fan!

 

[Haggis]

In severely restricted no fire zones the wife and I use the "Little Red Campfire pit" and it is certainly better than nothing and a steep fine.

 

[JohnVee]

I've been looking hard at the biolite version FirePit

@erymer has one of these. I was around it very briefly last month and didn't pay much attention.

Anybody knows how much more/less radiant heat those bon fire pits produce compared to a campfire ?

I obviously can't quantify an amount, but I do know I commented that, while sitting very close to it, my legs didn't really get much warmth below mid-calf, and I think the heat really blasts straight up much more than it spreads out over the top.

The Bonfire we ordered arrived last week but I'm away from home for a while.

 

[erymer]

I've been looking hard at the biolite version FirePit

Wow, I'm glad to learn about this biolite FirePit. Thank you. I would get it over the Solo Bonfire.

IMO the firepit has one big distinct advantage over the Solo Bonfire. First, it has a dark mesh exterior which will better radiate heat out to surrounding occupants. The bonfire's chrome stainless steel appearance is going to do that less well and push the heat upwards more.

The downside of the Firepit is that it has that ugly orange battery/fan unit that also needs to be charged.

I also don't care for the bluetooth app thing. Just add a eff'ing knob to control the fan!

JohnVee's correct. I have one as well. I'm a huge fan of biolite products. I have their basecamp as well. You are correct about the charging. But mine came with a bag with a solar panel that charges it when not in use. The legs on it fold down which allows for easy transport and storage. In regards to the bluetooth, it's a user option. It has buttons on the side for operation so the bluetooth feature is not required to use it. I love the black mesh on the side as it really makes the flame dance and is just flat out relaxing.

 

[Dharma Dude]

JohnVee's correct. I have one as well. I'm a huge fan of biolite products. I have their basecamp as well. You are correct about the charging. But mine came with a bag with a solar panel that charges it when not in use. The legs on it fold down which allows for easy transport and storage. In regards to the bluetooth, it's a user option. It has buttons on the side for operation so the bluetooth feature is not required to use it. I love the black mesh on the side as it really makes the flame dance and is just flat out relaxing.

Ah. Thanks for @JohnVee 's real-world confirmation of the BonFire's performance. I suspected as much, that the stainless steel sides will not keep my lower legs warm. I'm going to wait for the 20% REI Members discount in Feb to buy the biolite firepit.

 

[JohnVee]

I love the black mesh on the side as it really makes the flame dance and is just flat out relaxing.

@Dharma Dude I do remember Rymer’s biolite as being much shorter than the bonfire. The flames WERE mesmerizing, but there’s a slight chance that anything would have mesmerized me at that point in the night!

 

[jdayment]

JohnVee's correct. I have one as well. I'm a huge fan of biolite products. I have their basecamp as well. You are correct about the charging. But mine came with a bag with a solar panel that charges it when not in use. The legs on it fold down which allows for easy transport and storage. In regards to the bluetooth, it's a user option. It has buttons on the side for operation so the bluetooth feature is not required to use it. I love the black mesh on the side as it really makes the flame dance and is just flat out relaxing.

Cool thanks for the feedback I am a fan of Biolite Basecamp as well and love it.

 

[Dharma Dude]

@Dharma Dude I do remember Rymer’s biolite as being much shorter than the bonfire. The flames WERE mesmerizing, but there’s a slight chance that anything would have mesmerized me at that point in the night!

Are we talking about the same stove? The Biolite FIrepit is 27" long while the Solo Bonfire is 19.5" in diameter.

It is true that the Firepit is longer rather than round so if you're not sitting along the long side, there will be less heat but that's avoidable.

 

[JohnVee]

Are we talking about the same stove? The Biolite FIrepit is 27" long while the Solo Bonfire is 19.5" in diameter.

It is true that the Firepit is longer rather than round so if you're not sitting along the long side, there will be less heat but that's avoidable.

By shorter, I mean the top edge being lower to the ground.

 

[Dharma Dude]

By shorter, I mean the top edge being lower to the ground.

I see. That's a good thing, more radiative heating.