Solo Stove Reviews – Bonfire And Yukon After Years Of Use
When I first purchased a Solo Stove, my main question was whether it would be worth it. Let’s get this out of the way up front, absolutely. If you enjoy campfires but do not enjoy smelling like one the next day and you want to be able to cook over your fire with the precision of your grill at home, look no further, they are awesome. That being said, I have two sizes of Solo Stove, the Bonfire and the Yukon, so these Solo Stove reviews will be dedicated to each one, and help you choose which Solo Stove is right for you.
The Solo Stove Bonfire Review
The first of my Solo Stove reviews is the Bonfire. I purchased the Solo Stove Bonfire in 2020 and have been putting it through hard use ever since. I haven’t babied it. It’s been at home, on camping trips, left out in the rain, and generally just treated as an afterthought. With that being said, it has held up well and performed with excellence, but there are a few things you should consider before buying.
Solo Stove Bonfire Dimensions
The Solo Stove Bonfire is 19.5” in diameter and 15” in height. It is easy to carry suitcase style in its included carrying case which makes it an excellent travel companion. Ours goes camping with us everywhere because once you get used to the smokeless fire pit experience, you do not want to go back.
Solo Stove Bonfire Vs Bonfire 2.0
The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is the latest version of the bonfire. I purchased the original Solo Stove Bonfire in 2020 and many of the issues I have with the Bonfire have been corrected with the 2.0. While I would buy both the 1.0 and 2.0 again, neither is perfect.
The size of the Bonfire is both a blessing and a curse. While its portability and light weight are nice, it also requires that you cut down standard-length firewood to fit. This isn’t a huge deal for me, as I live and recreate in places where a chainsaw is allowed and fun, it just requires a little extra work. if you don’t need the portability, I’d consider the Yukon, and we will detail that later in this article.
The big improvement with the Bonfire 2.0 is with the ash pan. Removal of ash from the original Bonfire required turning it over and doing a kind of “beating the drum” type action to shake the ash loose from the bottom. Again, not a huge deal, just a little messy. The newest version corrects this with a removable ash pan that makes cleanup much more civilized.
Solo Stove Bonfire Accessories To Consider
While the Solo Stove Bonfire will truly revolutionize the way you enjoy a campfire, there are some accessories you should consider to make the experience even better. Solo Stove Makes a wide range of all types of accessories, but let me help you see around some corners with a few.
Solo Stove Bonfire Lid
I bought the Solo Stove Bonfire cover, thinking this would protect me from the elements, but if I could do it over again, I would purchase the lid. Why? Let me paint a picture for you. You’ve just enjoyed a wonderful evening around the campfire, and now it’s time for bed. The fire pit is still too hot to place the cover over it so you head off to sleep to deal with it in the morning. Overnight, rain moves in and now your fire pit is full of wet ash. This is a pain to clean up. The lid allows you to cover that firepit tonight and keep the precipitation out so that you can deal with easy cleanup the next day.
Solo Stove Bonfire Stand
According to Solo Stove, the Bonfire stand will allow you to use your firepit on the most sensitive surfaces. I like it for elevating the fire pit and providing additional airflow, but I wouldn’t trust it on a wooden deck. That fire pit will get roaring hot, and I have personally had my firepit start a fire with loose debris below the firepit as well as discolor the wood on a deck. If I was using it in an area like this, I’d consider some cheap concrete pavers under the firepit for the most protection.
Solo Stove Bonfire Heat Deflector
I really like the Solo Stove Bonfire, but on really cold nights, it doesn’t radiate heat very far from the fire pit. If you are close to it, it puts off major heat, but it tends to go up, not out. If you are looking to provide an increased diameter of warmth, consider the heat deflector. If I were new to them, I’d try it for a while without it and you can always add it later if you decide it’s important.
Solo Stove Bonfire Cover
The Solo Stove Bonfire Bonfire cover does a good job of keeping rain off of your investment, but my cover mildewed significantly very quickly and adds nothing in terms of aesthetics if you are planning to leave this firepit out. For the way I use the fire pit (camping mostly) the cover isn’t needed. I’d go with the lid and carrying case for portability needs and if aesthetics are important, I’d consider the firepit surround and fire pit shelter that Solo Stove makes.
Solo Stove Bonfire Grill
I’ve written about cooking on the Solo Stove before. It is a wonderful experience but the way I do it, I utilize the Breeo Outpost Grill. If cooking was my main focus, I’d go with a Breeo grill over a Solo Stove unless I was setting up on a hard surface like a patio or deck. If the latter is the case, I’d buy a Breeo Fire Pit.
The Solo Stove Yukon Review
Next up for my Solo Stove reviews is the Yukon. My Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 is a fire breathing wood destroying beast. The quality of construction and the smokeless design creates a fire pit experience like no other. It’s not perfect for everyone, however, so here’s my take on if it’s right for you.
Solo Stove Yukon Dimensions
The Solo Stove Yukon comes in at a 27” diameter and a 17” height. With this added 7.5” of width, that means while you lose some portability (it’s still very lightweight for its size) you gain the ability to burn standard firewood length logs, and burn them into a roaring blaze that will put off more heat. Personally, firewood is easy for me to come by, so I don’t mind this firepit being thirsty. It’s my go-to stationary fire pit at my hunting camp.
Solo Stove Yukon 1.0 Vs 2.0
With the 2.0, you get the removable ash tray which is huge, because this pit can really burn some material quickly. Other than that, you lose nothing. This fire pit holds up well over time.
Solo Stove Yukon Accessories To Consider
Like with the Solo Stove Bonfire, you’ll want to invest in the Solo Stove Yukon lid to keep rain out overnight. The Solo Stove Yukon stand is unnecessary in my opinion, but I do have it, so it’s hard for me to say what it would be like without it. For the Yukon, I believe the heat deflector is superfluous, as this larger size puts out plenty of heat for me. As I’ve said in other reviews, IF cooking is your goal and the most important thing to you, I’d invest in a Breeo, as they really have a ton of great options for the campfire cooking enthusiast.
Solo Stove Bonfire Vs Yukon – The Final Say
When comparing the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon I can make it an easy decision for you, buy both! If you must choose one and you want to be able to travel with your firepit, the Bonfire 2.0 is a more versatile fire pit. What it lacks from the Yukon, it can be made up for with a heat deflector and a little more time cutting firewood to an appropriate length. If you know your fire pit will stay in one place, I’d go with the Yukon. No matter what direction you decide to go, these Solo Stove reviews have shown that, with the right accessories, you are really going to enjoy this purchase.
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