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Quick Answer
Yes, you can use wood pellets in a Solo Stove Bonfire. The Solo Stove Bonfire is designed to burn both wood logs and wood pellets efficiently. Using wood pellets in a Solo Stove has some advantages over regular firewood, such as easier lighting, less smoke, and more consistent heating. However, there are also some downsides to using pellets instead of logs. Overall, wood pellets are a viable fuel option for the Solo Stove Bonfire as long as you follow some basic guidelines.
What is the Solo Stove Bonfire?
The Solo Stove Bonfire is a portable, stainless steel fire pit made by Solo Stove, a company known for their efficient wood-burning camp stoves. The Bonfire stands 19.5 inches high and has a diameter of 14 inches. It features Solo Stove’s signature double-wall design, with perforated holes near the top and bottom of the interior wall.
This double-wall design pulls air through the bottom perforations and preheats it before releasing it through the top holes. This process feeds the fire with oxygen while also burning the smoke for a cleaner, more efficient burn. The exterior wall remains cool while the interior fire burns hot.
The Bonfire is designed to accommodate both firewood logs and wood pellets as fuel. It was created to provide warmth and ambiance for outdoor spaces like backyards, patios, campsites, and more. The wide interior can hold logs up to 15 inches long or a high volume of pellets.
Benefits of the Solo Stove Bonfire
The Solo Stove Bonfire provides several benefits that make it a popular portable fire pit option:
- High efficiency – Due to the double-wall design and air intake system, it burns fuel at temperatures over 1,000°F while the exterior remains cool to the touch.
- Less smoke – By burning the smoke for secondary combustion, it creates less smoke than an open campfire.
- Portability – Weighing just 20 pounds, it can be easily transported for camping trips, beach bonfires, and more.
- Versatility – In addition to firewood, it can effectively burn wood pellets, making fueling easier.
- Aesthetic appeal – Made from stainless steel, it has an attractive, sleek design.
The Bonfire’s versatile, efficient, low-smoke design makes it a popular product for outdoor recreational burning.
Can You Use Wood Pellets in a Solo Stove Bonfire?
Yes, you can absolutely use wood pellets as fuel in the Solo Stove Bonfire. The Bonfire is designed to accommodate wood pellets as an alternative fuel option to traditional firewood logs.
In fact, Solo Stove recommends using premium wood pellets for the best experience in their stoves. The company even sells their own line of wood pellets specifically tailored for Solo Stove products.
There are a few reasons why wood pellets work so well in the Bonfire:
Uniform shape and size
Wood pellets have a uniform cylinder shape and small size, about 6mm in diameter and 25mm in length. This regular shape and size allow the pellets to burn evenly and efficiently. The small pellet pieces have more surface area exposure than large logs, resulting in great air flow and hotter burns.
Compressed sawdust composition
Wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust and wood shavings. This dense composition means they burn longer and produce more heat than regular firewood per unit of weight. The compressed sawdust burns consistent and steady.
Low moisture content
Quality wood pellets are dried to a moisture content of 8% or less during production. This low moisture content enables them to burn hotter and improves combustion compared to wetter wood logs. Burning pellets results in less smoldering and smoking.
Air flow design
The Bonfire is designed to maximize air flow for the best efficiency and heat generation. The pellet’s small shape allows ample oxygen to feed the fire, resulting in prime burning conditions. Solo Stove states that the Bonfire can efficiently burn up to 5 pounds of pellets per hour.
Benefits of Using Pellets vs. Logs
There are several advantages that wood pellets offer over regular split firewood when used in the Bonfire:
More convenient lighting
Wood pellets light easily with fire starters or matches, even when wet. You don’t have to arrange pellets for optimal air flow as you would with logs. Their reliable lighting makes getting a fire going simpler.
Cleaner, smokeless burns
Wood pellets generate very little smoke when burning properly. They emit much less smoke than traditional logs, reducing smell and eye irritation.
Less ash to clean up
Pellets leave just a small amount of powdery ash behind after burning, requiring less frequent ash removal compared to firewood. The minimal ash also helps sustain consistent air flow.
More uniform heat output
The consistent shape, density, and composition of pellets results in a steady, even heat output. You can better predict and control the temperature.
Lower moisture content
The compressed wood pellets maintain a low moisture level, which allows them to burn hotter and more efficiently than wet wood. There’s no need to source and store seasoned firewood.
Compact storage and transport
Wood pellets are smaller and easier to carry than logs. Transporting bags of pellets has less impact on your vehicle’s gas mileage as well. The pellets compactly store in bags or buckets.
Reduced wildlife impact
Transporting and storing firewood risks introducing invasive insects and diseases to new environments. Wood pellets lower this risk because of their processed composition. Their transport doesn’t spread pests.
Lower emissions
Studies show wood pellets reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other particulate pollution compared to firewood when burned. Pellets have less moisture and burn more completely.
Downsides of Using Pellets
Despite their benefits, there are a few potential downsides to using wood pellets instead of firewood in the Solo Stove Bonfire:
Lower heat output per pound
When comparing equal weights, pellets release less heat than logs. You’ll go through more weight of pellets to generate the same amount of heat as logs.
Shorter burn time
Due to their small size and consistent burn, pellets are consumed faster than logs. You’ll need to replenish the fire with fresh pellets more frequently to sustain it.
Higher fuel cost (depending on location)
In some areas, wood pellets can cost significantly more than buying or sourcing firewood. The convenience comes at a higher price point.
Special handling considerations
Wood pellets can break down into sawdust when handled roughly, making a mess. Once exposed to moisture, they fall apart and won’t burn as cleanly.
Potential chemical smells
Lower quality wood pellets may emit chemical smells from the glues and binders used in production. This can detract from the natural wood fire smell.
Less powerful flame ambiance
Some people find that the visual ambiance of a wood pellet fire isn’t as satisfying as a log fire’s more powerful, tall flames. But this is subjective.
Requires electricity for ignition
You’ll need an ignition source like a fire starter or electric heating rod to light wood pellets, unlike throwing a match on a log.
Overall, neither fuel option is definitively better than the other. You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of wood pellets vs. logs for your own preferences and needs.
How to Use Wood Pellets in a Solo Stove Bonfire
Using wood pellets in the Bonfire is almost as easy as using firewood. Here are some tips:
Choose high quality BBQ pellets
Not all wood pellets are made the same. For the best results, use food-grade BBQ wood pellets made from flavor woods like hickory, maple, apple, cherry, etc. Lower grades may have excessive binding agents.
Avoid pellets with softwood blends like pine, as they burn faster and hotter, increasing risk of overheating or fire going out prematurely.
Start with a full fire starter
Fill the bottom of the Bonfire with a wax/sawdust fire starter log or a mound of wood fire starters. Top with a quarter cup of pellets. This helps sustain heat to fully light the rest of the pellets.
Gradually add pellets
Once the starter has flames, gradually add a cup or two of pellets at a time, giving them a chance to fully ignite before adding more. Adding too many unlit pellets at once will smother the flames.
Add fuel often
Expect to add more wood pellets every 30 minutes to an hour to maintain a consistent flame, especially during colder weather. The small pellets burn quicker than logs so you’ll refuel more frequently.
Don’t overfill
Only fill the Bonfire halfway full of pellets at a time. Too many pellets packed in tightly restricts air flow, reducing temperature. The tight spacing also increases risk of uncontrolled flame ups.
Store pellets properly
Keep spare pellets in a sealed bucket or bag to prevent moisture absorption and pellet breakdown. Discard any unused, wet pellets after each use.
Follow these guidelines and wood pellets should burn effectively in your Solo Stove Bonfire. Enjoy the quick lighting, easy cleanup, and delicious smell that pellets bring to your Bonfire experience!
Recommended Wood Pellet Types
These are ideal wood pellet varieties to use in the Solo Stove Bonfire:
| Wood Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Maple | Sweet, smooth, subtle flavor.Burns long and steady. |
| Fruit woods (apple,cherry, etc.) | Mildly sweet and fruity smell. Hot burning. |
| Hickory | Bold, bacon-like smoke flavor. Burns hot. |
| Mesquite | Earthy, rich smoke flavor. Very hot burn. |
| Oak | Classic wood smoke flavor. Reliable heat output. |
These flavor wood pellets provide pleasant aroma, even heat, and minimal ash when burned in the Solo Stove Bonfire.
Troubleshooting Burn Issues
If you experience any problems burning wood pellets in your Bonfire, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Problem: Smoldering pellets, heavy smoke
This is likely due to insufficient air flow and oxygen. Remove excess ash buildup, empty the stove, and restart the fire. Don’t overfill the fire pit with pellets.
Problem: Flame dies out prematurely
The pellets may have become wet or were low quality. Use fresh, dry BBQ grade pellets. Also check pellet fuel
level – if too low, the heat dissipates quickly.
Problem: Flare ups or uncontrolled burning
Reduce pellet volume and refuel smaller amounts more frequently. Overfilling restricts air flow so the pellets combust uncontrolled.
Problem: Insufficient heat output
Ensure you are using hot burning flavor wood pellets, not lower grade softwood blends. Softwoods burn faster and produce less usable heat.
Problem: Strong chemical odor
Low quality pellets with excessive binding agents or adhesives may smell during burn. Use food-grade wood pellets from a reputable brand.
Conclusion
Wood pellets are an excellent fuel choice for the Solo Stove Bonfire that produce several benefits over traditional firewood. The convenience, consistency, and low smoke of food-grade wood pellets makes them viable for campfires, patios, and outdoor living spaces.
Just be sure to use premium BBQ wood pellets, follow proper lighting procedures, and replenish the pellets frequently to keep the fire going strong. With a little practice, you can master burning pellets in your Bonfire for a rewarding experience. Enjoy the ease and wood pellet advantages at your next fire!