Solo Stove is a popular brand known for their portable, smokeless fire pits. The Yukon model was previously their largest fire pit, but recently Solo Stove decided to make the Yukon smaller by reducing its diameter.
The Yukon fire pit was originally one of Solo Stove’s largest models, with a diameter of 27 inches. However, in 2022 Solo Stove introduced a newer, smaller version called the Yukon 2.0 which has a diameter of only 22 inches.
This 5 inch reduction in diameter prompted many Solo Stove fans to ask – why did they make the Yukon smaller? There are a few potential reasons behind this design decision.
Page Contents
- 1 Better Portability
- 2 Wider Appeal
- 3 Lower Price Point
- 4 Less Materials Needed
- 5 Easier Storage
- 6 How Big is the Size Reduction?
- 7 Is Performance Reduced?
- 8 Less Clearance Needed
- 9 Easier Transport When Camping
- 10 Fits on More Patio Tables
- 11 Comparison to Other Solo Stove Models
- 12 Is There a Yukon 3.0 Coming?
- 13 Reviews of the Smaller Yukon 2.0
- 14 Disadvantages of the New Design
- 15 Ideal Use Cases for Each Model
- 16 Conclusion
Better Portability
One of the main goals behind the Yukon 2.0 redesign was to improve portability. The original 27 inch Yukon weighed about 38 pounds and was bulky to transport. By reducing the diameter, Solo Stove was able to shave off some weight and make the entire unit more compact.
This updated portability makes the Yukon 2.0 easier to take camping, to the beach, or over to a friend’s house for a backyard gathering. The smaller diameter also allows the fire pit to fit better in standard car trunks or backseats.
Wider Appeal
In addition to improved portability, the smaller size likely helps broaden the appeal of the Yukon to more customers. The original 27 inch diameter required a fairly large space to accommodate it, which limited its use in smaller backyards or patios.
By reducing the overall footprint, the Yukon 2.0 can fit better in constricted urban and suburban settings. This helps Solo Stove market the fire pit to homeowners with limited outdoor space. The 22 inch diameter is still large enough to create an impressive fire, just in a more compact design.
Lower Price Point
Interestingly, along with shrinking the size of the Yukon 2.0, Solo Stove also reduced the price. The original 27 inch Yukon retailed for $449.99 while the smaller 22 inch Yukon 2.0 was introduced at just $399.99.
The $50 reduction in price helps make the Yukon 2.0 more accessible to buyers. The lower price point could expand Solo Stove’s customer base to include more budget-conscious shoppers.
Less Materials Needed
On a manufacturing and engineering level, reducing the diameter of the Yukon also meant Solo Stove could cut back on materials needed to construct each unit. With the fire pit being 5 inches slimmer across, less stainless steel is required to make each Yukon 2.0.
This reduction of raw materials needed directly ties into savings for Solo Stove. A smaller Yukon design equals lower production costs per unit. Those savings can then be passed onto the consumer through the lower $399.99 retail price.
Easier Storage
Storing a large 27 inch wide fire pit could be challenging, especially for those with limited space options. Due to its bulky footprint, finding room for the original Yukon may have dissuaded some customers.
However, the slimmed down Yukon 2.0 is easier to tuck away out of season. It can likely fit into storage spaces that would have been too small for the bigger model. This improved storability is another practical advantage of the smaller redesign.
How Big is the Size Reduction?
To summarize, here is a quick overview of how Solo Stove shrank the Yukon 2.0 as compared to the original Yukon model:
| Model | Diameter |
|---|---|
| Original Yukon | 27 inches |
| Yukon 2.0 | 22 inches |
As you can see, the diameter was reduced by 5 inches, making the newer Yukon 2.0 about 19% smaller than the preceding model.
Is Performance Reduced?
A common concern when products get shrunken down is whether it comes at the cost of performance. However, Solo Stove designed the Yukon 2.0 to burn just as powerfully as its larger predecessor.
It achieves this consistent performance through Solo Stove’s signature technologies like the double wall design and bottom air vents. These features help the fire pit burn fuel efficiently while containing smoke.
Testing shows the Yukon 2.0 can achieve the same vibrant, roaring blaze as the bigger Yukon model. Most users will not notice any difference in real world conditions. You still get the same mesmerizing flames and cozy heat output, just in a more compact product.
Less Clearance Needed
The other benefit of the smaller diameter is that the Yukon 2.0 requires less clearance from combustible materials like wood decks. Solo Stove increased the side wall height to help direct heat and sparks away more safely.
So despite being more compact, the new Yukon model can be placed closer to decks, fences, or overhangs without issue. This gives users more flexibility in placement, which is handy for smaller patios and yards.
Original Yukon Clearance
Side to combustibles: 48 inches
Overhead to combustibles: 96 inches
Yukon 2.0 Clearance
Side to combustibles: 36 inches
Overhead to combustibles: 84 inches
As demonstrated in the data, the clearance requirements have been reduced by about 25% on each side. This is substantial and gives homeowners more options for positioning their Yukon 2.0 safely.
Easier Transport When Camping
Part of Solo Stove’s brand identity centers around camping and outdoor adventures. To better fit this lifestyle, the Yukon 2.0’s compact footprint makes it easier to haul along on camping trips.
The original Yukon’s bulky 27 inch diameter was not ideal for packing in small trailers or fitting inside certain vehicles. The Yukon 2.0’s slimmed down size is more manageable for camping excursions.
When driving out to a campsite or hiking into the backcountry, every inch of space counts. So shaving off 5 inches can really help backpackers and campers transport the Yukon 2.0 with less hassle.
Fits on More Patio Tables
One creative way Solo Stove owners use their fire pits is placing them on top of outdoor patio tables. The table helps elevate the fire pit to a good height while also protecting the surface below from heat damage.
However, not all standard patio tables could accommodate the original 27 inch Yukon. But when sized down to 22 inches, the Yukon 2.0 can likely fit on more patio tables without overhanging the edges.
This allows owners to take better advantage of their existing outdoor furniture to find the right height and position for their fire pit. The Yukon 2.0’s reduced footprint gives them more flexibility when placing it creatively on top of tables.
Comparison to Other Solo Stove Models
To provide more context, here is how the Yukon 2.0 dimensions stack up against some other popular Solo Stove models:
| Model | Diameter |
|---|---|
| Ranger | 15 inches |
| Bonfire | 19.5 inches |
| Yukon 2.0 | 22 inches |
| Yukon (original) | 27 inches |
This gives you a better sense of where exactly the newer, smaller Yukon 2.0 falls within the Solo Stove lineup based on diameter. While not as large as the original Yukon, it still exceeds their other models like the Bonfire and Ranger.
Is There a Yukon 3.0 Coming?
Currently Solo Stove has not announced any plans to release a Yukon 3.0 model. The 2.0 iteration was just introduced in 2022, so another redesign seems unlikely in the short term.
Solo Stove will monitor sales and feedback on the Yukon 2.0 to see if any further changes are warranted. But for now, they seem content with the 22 inch diameter being the “Goldilocks” size – not too big, not too small.
If demand persists for even larger units, Solo Stove may eventually reconsider expanding the diameter again in a future Yukon 3.0 version. But the product line seems fairly settled for the time being after last year’s downsize.
Reviews of the Smaller Yukon 2.0
Overall reviews of the Yukon 2.0 have been positive since its debut:
Portability
Most users agree the reduced weight and size make the Yukon 2.0 significantly easier to transport. This improves its versatility and allows owners to take it to more locations.
Flames & Heat
Reviews indicate the smaller diameter does not meaningfully impact the fire performance. The Yukon 2.0 still burns wood efficiently and pumps out ample flames and heat.
Value
Given the $50 price drop, most feel the Yukon 2.0 provides an excellent value. You get nearly equal performance to the original in a more portable package at a lower cost.
Clearance
The decreased clearance requirements are seen as a major perk by reviewers. This gives them more options for safe positioning in smaller yards.
Table Usage
Many remarked how the 22 inch sizing makes the Yukon 2.0 fit better on outdoor tables, allowing for more creative setups.
Disadvantages of the New Design
However, there are a few drawbacks to being smaller compared to the preceding Yukon model:
Less Total Burn Area
The overall square inches of burn area is reduced in the Yukon 2.0. This means you cannot build quite as large of a fire.
Higher Walls
To help direct sparks, the side walls are taller on the Yukon 2.0. Some feel this partially obstructs views of the flames.
Less Heat Output
The smaller diameter produces a slightly smaller heating zone around the Yukon 2.0. But for most conditions, heat production remains plenty strong.
Misleading Name
A few customers felt calling it a “Yukon” is misleading when the size was reduced. But the name was kept for branding recognition.
Ideal Use Cases for Each Model
Given the pros and cons of the size change, here are the ideal scenarios for each Yukon model:
Original 27 inch Yukon
- Large outdoor gathering spaces
- Primary backyard heat source
- Impressive focal point
- Maximize burn area
Yukon 2.0
- Smaller yards and patios
- Frequent portability needed
- Creative tabletop setups
- Constricted placement spots
As shown above, the original 27 inch model is better suited for large open spaces needing ample heating power. But the Yukon 2.0’s scaled down design is ideal for mobility and versatility in tighter areas.
Conclusion
Downsizing the diameter of the Yukon fire pit to 22 inches was a strategic decision by Solo Stove to increase portability and broaden appeal to those with limited space. The Yukon 2.0 aims to deliver a more tailored experience.
While not as imposing and heat-producing as the 27 inch original, the Yukon 2.0 finds a “just right” balance of power and compactness. It retains the excellent fire performance Solo Stove owners have come to expect, just in a tighter package.
So far customer reception of the smaller redesign has been positive. The enhanced portability is a welcome upgrade that opens up new creative usage scenarios. For most owners, the reduced footprint does not detract from the satisfying campfire ambiance.
Solo Stove seems confident that 22 inches hits the optimal size sweet spot for a portable yet powerful fire pit. Only time will tell if customer demand leads to yet another diameter change in a future Yukon 3.0 release.