Solo Stove Fire Pits: Setting Up the Backyard Hangout

Best for
Small groups wanting a big wood fire

The Solo Stove Basecamp 24″ Fire Pit is the largest wood burner in this lineup. The listing puts it at 24.6 inches in diameter and 17.8 inches tall, and Solo Stove pitches it for five to seven people. That makes it the pit for a household that hosts the same crew every weekend and wants a fire big enough that nobody is stuck on the cold side of the circle.

It uses the brand’s Signature Flame approach with a 360-degree airflow design that re-burns smoke, and it is built from polished stainless steel that the listing says will develop a golden blue patina over time. At 30.5 pounds it is movable around the yard but not something you will want to carry to a campsite. The included stand lifts the base off heat-sensitive surfaces, which matters if your hangout spot is a wooden deck; our guide to a Solo Stove stand for deck setups explains why that gap is worth having.

If you only ever have three or four people around the fire, the Basecamp is more pit than you need and the Bonfire will burn less wood for the same mood.

• 24.6-inch diameter sized for five to seven people
• Stand included to protect decks and patios
• Removable ash pan and base plate for cleanup
• Wood fuel, polished stainless steel finish

Best for
Campers and beach trips

The Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 15″ Smokeless is the travel pick. The listing says it weighs just over 15 pounds and ships with a nylon carry case, the stand, and a removable base plate and ash pan, so everything you need for a beach night or a campsite goes in one bag.

It is made from 304 stainless steel and uses the same 360-degree airflow idea as its bigger siblings. The listing mentions a shield to stop sparks and a heat deflector for cold nights, but it lists neither among the included components, so treat them as optional add-ons rather than part of the box. The trade-off is size: a 15-inch pit suits two to four people huddled close, not a full backyard party, and anyone planning a regular group of five or more should step up to the Bonfire.

• Just over 15 pounds with a nylon carry case
• Stand, base plate and ash pan included
• 304 stainless steel construction

Best for
Backyard crews of four to six

The Solo Stove Bonfire w Stand is the middle of the range and the Solo Stove bonfire most backyards end up with. The listing gives a 19.5-inch diameter, a weight of 21.75 pounds, and a recommended group of four to six people. This version comes in gunmetal, which the listing describes as 304 stainless steel with a high-heat ceramic coating, so it will not take on the patina of the polished models.

It includes a stand and, according to the features, a carrying case, which means it can still come along on trips even if it lives in the yard most of the year. There is a small inconsistency to note: the features describe the weight as “just over 20 pounds” while the highlights give 21.75 pounds, which are close enough to mean the same thing in practice. Choose the Bonfire if you want a real backyard fire without committing to the Basecamp’s size, and choose the Ranger instead if you mostly travel.

• 19.5-inch diameter for four to six people
• Gunmetal ceramic coating over 304 stainless steel
• Removable ash pan and base
• Stand included, carrying case mentioned in the listing

Best for
No-ash propane movie nights

The Solo Stove Infinity Flame 42″ Propane is the one for people who love the look of a fire but not the chores. Its burner works with Black Pearl fire glass to mimic the movement of a wood fire without smoke, ash or sparks. The listing rates it at up to 72,000 BTUs and says it runs up to 5.5 hours on a standard 20-pound propane tank, which is not included.

This is a table as much as a fire pit. The wide, heat-dispersing tabletop gives you space for drinks and snacks during a movie night, and the listing says it seats five to eight people at a height of 20 inches. It is built from 304 stainless steel, powder-coated steel and UV-resistant waterproof materials. The listing still warns that exterior surfaces get hot, so the table surface is not a substitute for supervision. Oddly, the model number reads FPSURROUND-GAS, which suggests it shares its design with the Surround; the listing does not spell that out. If propane is your main interest, our Solo propane fire pit guide goes deeper on gas setups.

• Up to 72,000 BTUs of heat
• Up to 5.5 hours per 20 lb tank (tank not included)
• Instant ignition with adjustable flame control
• Seats five to eight around a wide tabletop

Best for
Families with kids and pets

The Solo Stove 52.6″ Fire Pit Surround is not a fire pit on its own. It is a 360-degree barrier and tabletop that wraps around a wood-burning Solo Stove to keep wandering hands and wagging tails back from the hot steel, while giving everyone a ledge for drinks and snacks. The listing describes a perforated surface meant to limit heat absorption and keep air moving.

It is made from powder-coated steel and UV-resistant 600D polyester, with configurable support brackets and adjustable feet so it can sit on grass, gravel, concrete or a wooden deck. Be aware that the listing is inconsistent on size: the title says 52.6 inches, while the specifications list 38.5 by 7.7 by 24.5 inches, and it does not state which Solo Stove pits the brackets fit. Check compatibility with your pit on the product page before ordering. For families with small children or dogs, this is the add-on that makes a backyard fire feel relaxed rather than tense.

• Full-circle protective barrier
• Tabletop surface for drinks and snacks
• Adjustable feet for uneven or sensitive surfaces

Best for
Patio tables and balconies

The Solo Stove Mesa XL 7″ Tabletop is the smallest fire here and the only one with dual fuel. A built-in pellet adapter lets you burn pellets as well as wood, and the box includes the Mesa stand, the fire pit, a nylon carry bag and the pellet adapter. It is made from 304 stainless steel and the stand folds for storage.

This is ambiance, not warmth for a crowd. A 7-inch tabletop fire works on a patio table, a balcony or a picnic spot where a full pit would be overkill, and it pairs well with a quiet evening rather than a full match-night crowd. The listing does not give full dimensions or a weight, so we cannot say exactly how big it is beyond the 7-inch name. Anyone who wants people gathered around it for heat should look at the Bonfire or Basecamp instead.

• Burns wood or pellets with the included adapter
• Folding stand and nylon carry bag
• 304 stainless steel build