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The Solo Stove is a portable, stainless steel outdoor wood burning stove that uses little fuel and produces less smoke than an open campfire. There are some limitations on what you can safely and responsibly burn in a mini Solo Stove. Good fuels include:
– Untreated, seasoned hardwoods like oak, maple, birch, etc.
– Smaller twigs and sticks
– Clean wood pellets
– Wood chips or shavings
Avoid burning:
– Green or wet wood
– Trees and shrubs with sap or resin
– Painted, stained, or pressure-treated wood
– Cardboard or paper
– Trash, plastic, or non-wood items
Burn only clean, dry wood to minimize smoke, follow all fire bans or restrictions, never leave a fire unattended, and properly extinguish and dispose of ashes.
What is a Solo Stove?
The Solo Stove is a patented, portable, stainless steel wood burning stove designed to maximize combustion efficiency and create less smoke than an open campfire. Solo Stoves come in different sizes ranging from the ultra-portable Ranger and Campfire models up to larger Bonfire and Yukon models.
The ingenious double-wall design focuses the heat from the fire inward towards a secondary combustion chamber. This extra oxygen and airflow results in a hotter, more complete burn, reducing smoke by up to 95% compared to an open campfire. Solo Stoves are lightweight, compact, easy to use, and leave very little ash behind.
The mini models like the Solo Stove Ranger are ideal for solo campers, backpackers, and other outdoor recreators looking for a lightweight wood burning solution. The Ranger weighs just 9 pounds and measures only 5 inches across, nesting inside itself for easy transport. It’s capable of boiling water in 8-10 minutes. The larger Campfire model can accommodate small logs and cook for 2-4 people.
Benefits of the Solo Stove
Compared to open campfires, the Solo Stove offers these benefits:
– More complete wood combustion means less smoke produced
– Concentrated heat from double-wall design boils water quickly
– Lightweight and compact for portability
– Easier to put out and leave no trace when extinguished
– Less likely to damage the ground or scorch rocks/surfaces underneath
– Performs well even in windy conditions
– Requires little fuel relative to its output
– Easy cleanup with little ash produced
Good Fuels for the Solo Stove
The Solo Stove is designed to only burn wood fuels. Some kinds of wood work better than others based on density, moisture content, and purity. Here are the recommended fuels to use for your mini Solo Stove:
Seasoned Hardwoods
Seasoned hardwoods like oak, maple, ash, elm, and birch are dense woods that burn long and hot in the Solo Stove. Look for downed branches or buy split firewood that is well-aged at least 6 months to a year so the moisture content is reduced to 15-20%. Softwoods like pine, spruce and cedar are less dense and may burn up too quickly.
Opt for smaller sticks or pieces of hardwood kindling sized appropriately for your mini stove. Anything longer than 5-7 inches may hang out of the stove. Look for wood about 1-2 inches thick, and break or cut larger pieces down to size. Avoid big logs that could smother the fire.
Twigs and Sticks
Small twigs, sticks, and branches are great starter fuels to build up the initial fire in your Solo Stove. Look for downed twigs and sticks no bigger than 1 inch thick and 4-5 inches long. You’ll need a good bundle of twigs and kindling to light and sustain the fire before adding small logs.
Wood Pellets
Plain wood pellets made from compressed sawdust are an excellent fuel for the Solo Stove. Avoid color-coated barbecue pellets with additives. Wood pellets burn hot and evenly while producing minimal ash and smoke. They help maintain the fire well. Just be sure to use untreated, all-natural wood pellets.
Wood Chips/Shavings
Clean wood chips or shavings from untreated lumber work nicely to start a fire in the Solo Stove before adding sticks. Avoid colored mulch, treated wood, or yard waste. A handful of dried wood chips or shavings catches the initial flame. Have kindling ready to add once the fire gets going.
What Not to Burn in the Solo Stove
While the Solo Stove is very versatile, there are some limitations on what can safely and responsibly be burned inside. Avoid the following:
Green or Wet Wood
Freshly cut “green” wood is generally not a good fuel source because it has a high moisture content. Wet or waterlogged wood also burns poorly. The excess moisture prevents the wood from reaching high enough temperatures for complete combustion. This can lead to excessive smoke and leave wet, smoldering embers.
Trees/Shrubs with Sap or Resin
Burning whole pine cones or certain sap-laden evergreen boughs and shrubs can cause a flare-up hazard in the Solo Stove. Sappy, resinous woods burn excessively hot and messy. Use sparingly, and avoid resinous materials like pine tar kiln wood.
Painted/Stained/Treated Wood
Never burn wood containing paints, stains, glues, or chemical treatments. Pressure-treated lumber and painted wood release toxic chemicals when burned. This goes for wood products, furniture, demolition debris, etc. The smoke can be hazardous. Only use untreated natural wood.
Cardboard/Paper
While paper and cardboard will burn, they risk producing excess ash inside the Solo Stove that can hasten cooler burns. Burning paper also produces floating embers that may escape the stove. Use sparingly as kindling only. Avoid coated papers, glossies, and dyed products.
Trash/Plastics
Never use the Solo Stove to incinerate trash, plastics, wrappers, or other debris. Plastics and many other waste materials release hazardous toxins when burned. Burn ONLY clean, untreated wood inside the stove according to the included instructions.
Safety Tips for the Solo Stove
To safely and responsibly use your mini Solo Stove, follow these guidelines:
– Check current fire bans or restrictions before use
– Set up on a solid, flat, non-flammable surface away from overhangs
– Maintain a perimeter clear of at least 3 feet around the stove
– Supervise the fire at all times
– Extinguish completely before leaving the stove
– Ensure coals and ash are fully cooled before disposal
– Avoid use near flammable vapors or materials
– Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby
– Never overload or modify the stove in any way
– Follow all included manufacturer safety instructions
The compact design makes the Solo Stove ideal for responsible outdoor recreational fires. With some common sense precautions and using good dry wood as fuel, you can safely enjoy the warmth and minimal smoke the innovative stove provides.
Ideal Uses for the Mini Solo Stove
The ultra-portable Solo Stove models offer the perfect wood burning solution for:
Backpacking and Hiking
The lightweight design is easy to carry along on the trail. Enjoy a hot meal or cup of coffee without the hassle of a campfire. Protect trailside vegetation by containing the fire.
Camping
The stove is quick to set up at campsites and eliminates the need to gather rocks or clear a site for a fire ring. It contains the fire for leave no trace principles. Easy clean-up too!
Hunting and Fishing Trips
Stay warm and cook your catch on remote hunting and fishing trips with the self-contained Solo Stove. It offers warmth without an open fire.
Emergency or Disaster Preparedness
The Solo Stove doesn’t rely on gas or electricity, making it ideal for emergency situations or power outages. Burn wood debris safely without power.
Burn Bans
You may be able to use the Solo Stove contained system in some areas where open burning is prohibited. Check local rules first.
Beach Bonfires
Easily have a smokeless beach fire without scorching the sand! Avoid messy cleanup of ash and unburnt wood.
Patios and Decks
The Solo Stove allows you to have a wood burning fire pit on your porch or patio without worrying about sparks and embers landing on the deck boards.
Tiny Homes
The compact Solo Stove lets you have wood fire ambiance even in a tiny house without installing a permanent fireplace.
RVs and Camper Vans
Bring along a Solo Stove for heating and cooking in your RV or camper van. Saves space over wood stoves.
Comparison of Solo Stove Models
| Model | Weight | Dimensions (diameter x height) | Fuel Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger | 9 lbs | 5″ x 8″ | Sticks, twigs, wood chips |
| Campfire | 20 lbs | 9″ x 15″ | Small logs, pellets |
| Bonfire | 20 lbs | 14″ x 19″ | Small logs, split wood |
| Yukon | 38 lbs | 19″ x 18″ | Large logs, firewood |
Conclusion
The mini Solo Stove models provide an efficient, low-smoke way to have campfires anywhere while responsibly limiting your impact. Stick to clean, untreated hardwoods in appropriately sized pieces to fuel your portable stove. Avoid green, wet, or contaminated wood fuels. With some basic safety steps, you’ll enjoy the warmth and minimal fuss of the innovative Solo Stove design. The right sized model lets you pack along wood burning ambiance on all your outdoor adventures.