The Solo Stove is a portable, lightweight, stainless steel wood burning camping stove. It is designed to be efficient, producing less smoke than an open campfire. The efficiency comes from the double wall design and bottom airflow vents that feed the fire with oxygen. This makes the Solo Stove capable of reaching temperatures up to 500°F-550°F, which is suitable for cooking food.
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How the Solo Stove Works for Cooking
The Solo Stove consists of two nested pieces of stainless steel – an outer wall and an inner wall. There is a 2-3 inch gap between the walls that allows air to flow from the bottom air vents up through the gap and feed the fire. This oxygen flow makes the fire burn hotter with less smoke.
There are no fans or batteries required. The airflow is natural due to convection (hot air rises). As the fire heats up, hot air flows through the gap between the walls and out the top, drawing fresh air in through the bottom vents. This constant oxygen flow allows the fire to reach high temperatures for cooking.
Solo Stove Models and Sizes
Solo Stove comes in 3 different sizes:
| Model | Height | Width | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Stove Lite | 4.25 inches | 4.25 inches | 9 oz |
| Solo Stove Titan | 8 inches | 5 inches | 16 oz |
| Solo Stove Campfire | 14 inches | 9 inches | 36 oz |
The smallest Solo Stove Lite is best for individual cooking like boiling water for freeze dried meals. The larger Solo Stove Titan and Campfire models have more area and volume to hold pots, pans, grills to cook for 2-4 people.
Can You Cook on a Solo Stove?
Yes, you can definitely cook on a Solo Stove. The key is taking advantage of the high temperatures (up to 550°F) at the center of the stove. Here are some tips for cooking on a Solo Stove:
Grilling Directly on the Stove
The Solo Stove cooking surface can be used like a grill. Meats, vegetables, and other foods can be grilled directly on the stove. Use wooden skewers to position food above direct flames. Rotate periodically for even cooking.
Fry Pans or Pots
Place a fry pan, skillet, or pot directly on top of the Solo Stove. Allow it to pre-heat for a few minutes before adding food. Cast iron skillets work very well to distribute heat evenly. The Solo Stove Campfire size can support larger pots like a dutch oven for stews, chili, roasted meats.
Support Racks, Grills, Trivets
For larger Solo Stove models, use a wire grill, removable trivet, or other support accessory specifically made for the Solo Stove to hold pots and pans above the flames. This allows heat to circulate under and around the cookware.
Boiling Water
The Solo Stove boils water efficiently. Use a kettle, pot, or canteen directly on the stove surface. Boil water for freeze dried camping meals, coffee, tea, oatmeal, and more. The stove reaches rolling boil faster than an open campfire.
Tips for Cooking on the Solo Stove
Follow these tips and techniques for the best results cooking on a Solo Stove:
Use Good Fire Starters
Quality fire starter materials like wood pellets, paraffin cubes, or natural tinder will help ignite the stove quickly. Avoid lighter fluid which can create chemical smells.
Use Hardwood Fuels
Hardwoods like oak, maple, birch will burn slower, produce more heat, and make better cooking coals than soft woods. Avoid resinous woods like pine that spark and pop more.
Let the Fire Establish
Allow the fire 5-10 minutes to get fully established and hot before placing cookware on the stove. Don’t smother the flames right away.
Find the Hot Spot
Determine where the hottest part of the fire is concentrated (usually center) and place cookware there for fastest heating and cooking.
Control the Airflow
Use the air intake vents on the bottom of the stove to control oxygen flow and temperature. More air = hotter fire. Close vents partially to lower the temp if needed.
Rotate the Cookware
Rotate pots and pans periodically to distribute heat evenly if cooking over direct flames. Use utensils with long handles to adjust cookware.
Maintain the Fire
Add more wood fuel gradually to sustain cooking temperatures. Don’t let the flames die out halfway through cooking.
Manage the Smoke
The Solo Stove is designed to create less smoke than an open fire, but some smoke is inevitable. Position the stove strategically to avoid smoke blowing at your cooking setup.
Foods You Can Cook on the Solo Stove
Many types of food can be cooked directly over the hot flames or embers of the Solo Stove, including:
Meats
Steaks, chops, chicken, fish, kebabs
Veggies
Potatoes, onions, carrots, zucchini, corn, eggplant, peppers, squash
Bread
Biscuits, pizza, bread rolls, tortillas
Eggs
Fried, scrambled, poached, omelets
Cheese
Melted on sandwiches and burgers, fried halloumi or paneer
Canned Foods
Beans, soup, chili
Cast Iron Favorites
Skillet pizzas, fajitas, pancakes, baked apples
Desserts
Fruit cobblers, grilled fruit, s’mores, puddings
Beverages
Coffee, tea, hot cocoa, cider
The compact design of the Solo Stove lets you cook a wide variety of campfire favorites to enjoy the outdoors. Get creative with dutch oven meals, foil packs, casseroles, and more.
Advantages of Cooking on the Solo Stove
Cooking over the Solo Stove has many benefits compared to a regular campfire or portable stove:
Ultralight and Compact
Weighing only 16 ounces, the Titan model packs easily and takes up minimal space in a backpack.
Faster Boil Times
Meals and water boil quicker thanks to the hotter temperatures and airflow design.
Fuel Efficient
Less wood fuel is needed to sustain flames and cooking heat thanks to the airflow and ventilation.
Easy Temperature Control
The bottom vents allow heat regulation by controlling oxygen to the fire beneath.
Less Smoke
Smoke is reduced significantly due to the double wall design and air flow up through the stove.
Minimal Setup
Just place the stove, add wood as fuel, and light up. No complicated parts or accessories needed.
Versatile
Grill, fry, simmer, boil, bake, toast – cook all your favorites over the open flame.
Leave No Trace
The contained stove minimizes scorch marks and fire pits when camping in pristine wilderness.
Potential Limitations of Cooking on the Solo Stove
While designed for cooking, the Solo Stove does have some limitations to be aware of:
Small Cooking Surface
The stove can only accommodate small pots and pans, not large dutch ovens.
No Simmering Option
It’s either high heat for boiling and searing, or flames off. No low, steady simmer setting.
Requires Monitoring
The fire needs stoking and managing to maintain steady cooking temperatures.
Close Quarters Cooking
You must crouch close to the stove while cooking which can be uncomfortable over time.
Potential Overheating
Pots and pans may burn food if left over direct flames too long without stirring or rotating.
Cleaning Soot
The stove will require cleaning out burned food bits, grease, and soot occasionally.
Wood Gathering
You’ll need to continually gather wood sticks and twigs to maintain the fire for longer cooking tasks.
Conclusion
The Solo Stove is an efficient, versatile, portable wood burning stove that excels at cooking campfire style meals outdoors. It’s light enough for backpacking and creates a hot fire with minimal smoke. While you have to work a little harder managing the fire compared to a home stove, the stove rewards you with delicious roasts, grilled veggies, wood-fired pizzas and more. With a little practice controlling the flames, ventilation, and heat, you can cook almost any food on the Solo Stove. Just be prepared to gather wood fuel and get a little soot on your hands as you enjoy delicious meals off the grid.