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Solo Stove Bonfire is the most popular model of Solo Stove fire pits that is perfect for backyard activities and car camping.
If you’re looking for a portable fire pit, it’s very likely to not being able to decide between Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon. They’re both great, innovative, smokeless fire pits that share a number of similarities, and a few differences.
In this article, I will help you to decide on the perfect option for you by covering everything you need to know about fire pits before you purchase one.
In summary, both stoves have the exact patented smokeless Solo Stove design. The main difference is the sizes and the capacity of the stoves. If you’re a family of four (or smaller) who likes outdoor activities, Bonfire is the better option for you, you can either use it on your backyard or carry it to your car campsite without it being a burden. But if need a fire pit for larger groups, Bonfire wouldn’t be enough for you, with 2.2 times bigger capacity Solo Stove Yukon would be the better option, you can carry Yukon to your campsite as well (but not as easy as Bonfire).
- #A sidenote here: I'd highly recommend you to check out REI's informative meal planning chart before you read further.
Quick Comparison Table: Bonfire vs Yukon
Header | SOLO STOVE BONFIRE | SOLO STOVE YUKON |
---|---|---|
Cell | ||
Stove Weight | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg | 38 lbs / 17.23 kg |
Fuel Type | Wood (up to 17.5" long) | Wood (up to 23" long) |
Material | 304 Stainless Steel | 304 Stainless Steel |
Inner Volume | 16.724 cubic in. | 36.643 cubic in. |
Dimensions | Ø 19.5″ (Base Diameter) x 14″ (Height) | Ø 27″ (Base Diameter) x 16″ (Height) |
Best Use | Backyard/Car Camping | Backyard |
Check Prices |
Detailed Comparison of Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon
Capacity
Solo Stove Bonfire is the optimum fire pit for a family of four or less, you can roast on it, use it to create a good ambiance for a weekend with your family (without using too many firewoods).
Solo Stove Yukon on the other hand is 2.2 times bigger than Solo Stove Bonfire (volume-wise). Therefore while Solo Stove Bonfire is enough for small families, Yukon would be too much, also due to its bigger interior volume it consumes much more wood and creates much more heat for four people (If they sit closely).
But if you’re a big family, let’s say you’re a grandfather who likes to have your children and grandchildren every other weekend (assuming more than 4 people), Bonfire would be small for you, in that case, Yukon is what you should go for.
Weight
If you’re buying this fire pit only for your backyard and don’t plan to move it from time to time then weight should be a concern for you.
But if you’re planning to take it to your car camping site then; know that Yukon (38 lbs) weighs almost twice as much of Bonfire (20 lbs).
Therefore, go for Yukon only if you really need that big of fire, otherwise, 38 lbs is not a small weight to be carried by one person, and after a while, it’d feel like a burden.
Portability
Both Solo Stove Bonfire and Yukon have exactly the same design, the only difference is their sizes.
The great thing about Solo Stove Fire Pits is, every part of the stoves can be nested into the stove;
- Fire Ring (Comes with the stoves): Can be turned upside down and packed into the main base
- Stand (Sold separately): Stands have smaller diameters than the stoves, therefore you can nest the stands into the stove.
- Solo Stove Shield (Sold separately): Can be turned upside down and packed into the main base
Therefore, both Bonfire and Yukon can be packed down to their main size. For Bonfire packed size is Ø 19.5″ x 14″, for Yukon it’s Ø 27″ x 16″.
If you think, even Bonfire is big for you, Solo Stove also offer the Ranger model that is Ø 15″ (Base Diameter) x 12.5″ (Height), if you’re interested you can also check out my Solo Stove Ranger review.
Efficiency
Solo Stove Bonfire is more efficient than Yukon because it produces heat at a faster rate and is preferred to use for cooking.
When it comes to efficiency no doubt, Solo Stove Bonfire is much more efficient.
Firstly, it uses less firewood to start to fire. In addition to consuming a lot of wood because it is large, it also consumes faster because it creates more heat.
But, at the end of the day, it all comes down to how much heat and fire you actually need. If you’re a big group of people, you will need a bigger fire anyways.
Material
Both Bonfire and Yukon are made of 304 Stainless Steel, you might be familiar with the material since it’s very common in the kitchen equipment, but for those who’re not, 304 Stainless Steel is a highly heat-resistant material, and offers great corrosion resistance, therefore, it’s the perfect selection for a portable fire pit.
Since both fire pits are made of 304 Stainless Steel, there is no winner for the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon material comparison, but I just wanted to inform you about the quality of the material.
Cooking
You can cook with both of the stoves using Roasting Sticks, but I should mention that; since Yukon can take much more wood, it creates a bigger flame and more heat, so when it’s fulled it’s a bit harder to stand near enough to roast.
Solo Stove Yukon is made of 304 Stainless Steel that offers high corrosion resistance despite of producing larger flames.
But, once you get the hang of it, you would understand how much wood you should use to create enough heat to get close enough.
And also, even though Solo Stove doesn’t feature a cooking grid accessory, some Bonfire users purchase a cooking grid separately and grill on it, but this is not a doable option for the Yukon, it creates to much heat to get so near enough to grill on it.
If you want a firepit where you can cook easily, check out my article about Biolite Firepit or Breeo Stove it’s a better option for cooking and it’s smokeless as well.
Compatibility
Solo Stove Shield
A shield for the fire pit might seem luxurious but it helps to prevent sparks and embers from leaving the fire pit. I highly recommend purchasing one if you’re thinking of using it on your wooden deck, or somewhere that can be damaged by the fire.
Solo Stove Shield is compatible with both Bonfire and Yukon. You just need to purchase the right size.
Check the latest price of Solo Stove Shield on Amazon
Solo Stove Roasting Sticks
Roasting Sticks are not a big necessity, you can even use the barbeque skewers at home (if you have one) or you can do it from wooden sticks by yourself.
But Solo Stove Roasting Sticks are highly durable (made of 304 Stainless Steel), easy to clean, and considering that it comes in 4 pieces, it’s not expensive at all.
Check the latest price of Solo Stove Roasting Sticks on Amazon
Solo Stove Stand
Solo Stove Stand is a tool to keep the base of the stove off the ground and avoid damaging heat-sensitive surfaces (like wooden decks). If you’re buying a Solo Stove for a specific place and don’t think of changing its place, then you can build your own stand (with marbles or stones).
But if you’re thinking about moving the stove sometimes or taking it outdoors, a stand would save you from the burden of building a stand every time you move it. In that case that is a very useful tool.
Solo Stoves makes different sizes of stands for each fire pit (Ranger, Bonfire, Yukon). And each stand is only compatible with the model it’s made for.
So, for instance, if you’re going for Yukon then don’t purchase Solo Stove Bonfire Stand just because it’s cheaper, go for Solo Stove Yukon Stand.
Check the price of Solo Stove Stand on Amazon
Solo Stove Fire Pit Shelter
Just like Stands, Solo Stove makes different sizes of Shelter for each fire pit (Ranger, Bonfire, Yukon).
If you’re thinking of moving your fire pit to your garage (or a place where it can be protected from rain, snow, etc.) after using it then a shelter is not a great necessity.
BUT, if you don’t have a garage or if you’re thinking of placing your stove to your backyard then you should definitely purchase a shelter.
They’re made of PVC Coated Water Resistant Polyester to provide extreme protection and they contain 6061 Reinforced Aluminum to provide robustness.
Check the prices on Amazon:
Solo Stove Bonfire Review
Solo Stove Bonfire is the first fire pit by Solo Stove and became the most popular due to its innovative patented smokeless design up to this date.
- WEIGHT: 20 lbs / 9.07 kg
- MATERIAL: 304 Stainless Steel
- DIMENSIONS: Ø 19.5″ (Base Diameter) x 14″ (Height)
Solo Stove Bonfire is the first stove large enough to be categorized as a fire pit that is created by Solo Stove. And without a doubt, it’s the most popular fire pit in the outdoor community.
This popularity is not due to a marketing strategy, but to the quality of the product and its innovative patented smokeless design.
Although Solo Stove Bonfire looks bulky, due to the material it’s made of (304 Stainless Steel) and it’s innovative design it only weighs 20 lbs (9.07 kg).
Therefore not only it’s perfect for your backyard, but it’s also light enough to bring to your car camping site. And everything that comes with the stove can be nested into the main base, the packed dimension of the stove is Ø 19.5″ x 14″.
Check the latest price of Solo Stove Bonfire on Amazon
Solo Stove Yukon Review
Solo Stove Yukon is the biggest portable fire pit in the market that offers great fire capacity and weighs only 38 lbs.
- WEIGHT: 38 lbs / 17.23 kg
- MATERIAL: 304 Stainless Steel
- DIMENSIONS: Ø 27″ (Base Diameter) x 16″ (Height)
Solo Stove Yukon is the biggest portable fire pit in the outdoor market. With the base diameter of 27″ and height of 16″, it offers a great fire capacity.
If you’re a big family or a family who likes to invite their friends over time to time. It’s a great option for your backyard. It’s very big, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be carried to your car campsite, even though it’s bulky, it weighs 38 lbs ( 17.23 kg).
It’s not ideal for a family of four (or less) since it’s a little bit harder to carry and uses a great amount of fuel (firewood). But, it would create the perfect fire and ambiance for large groups.
Check the latest price of Solo Stove Yukon on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Stoves
Which one is better, Solo Stove Yukon 30 vs 27 inch?
Solo Stove Yukon actually has one size and it is 27″, the reason people came across with 30″ size is because Solo Stove Yukon initially joined the market with a diameter of 30 inches but after a while, they decided to change the diameter to 27 inches.
The main reason for that is 30″ size was too big to handle during the transportation process. Shipping partners weren’t able to keep the 30″ Yukon blemish-free by the time it reached the customers’ door and too many Solo Stove customers were receiving dented units.
Therefore after a lot of testing, Solo Stove has decided to reduce the diameter by 3 inches to minimize the dents caused by the transportation process. This diameter reduction also results in Solo Stove Yukon being 10 lbs lighter which makes it much easier to carry.
So, you might still encounter Solo Stove 30″ on the market but it’s best to go with the 27″ size, not only there is a risk of being dented during the shipment process with 30″ but also it will be much easier to find accessories that are compatible with 27 inches since it’s the newer size.
What size solo stove you should get?
Solo Stove firepits has three different sizes Ranger, Bonfire, and Yukon and they have the same design, they all provide the same features and they all are compatible with Solo Stove accessories the only difference is their size, the diameters of the stoves are 15″, 19.5″, and 27″, respectively.
Header | |||
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Cell | |||
Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg | 38 lbs / 17.23 kg |
Size | Ø 15″ x 12.5″ | Ø 19.5″ x 14″ | Ø 27″ x 16″ |
Volume | 8.835 in3 | 16.724 in3 | 36.643 in3 |
Check the price on Amazon |
When deciding what size solo stove to get, you should consider on what condition you will be using your fire pit and with how many people you will be using it. So go for:
- Ranger, if you’re a family of two and if you like to take your stove to the backcountry from time to time, it’s the most portable and convenient size.
- Bonfire, if you’re a family of four who would like to use the stove in both your backyard and outdoors.
- Yukon, if you’re looking for a stove primarily for your backyard. You can take Solo Stove Yukon to your outdoor adventures as well, but keep in mind that it’s very bulky and takes a lot of space in your trunk, so if you need a stove/firepit mainly for your outdoor adventures Yukon might feel like a burden after a while).
Is solo stove worth it?
The quick answer is Yes they’re worth it. Although they might be a little bit expensive compared to other Solo Stove knock-offs in the market, Solo Stoves are made of 304 Stainless Steel which is a very durable material and Solo Stoves really provide a smokeless fire.
So they actually worth every penny, but if you’re on a budget, I would recommend SUNCOO Smokeless Firepit as a cheaper alternative.
References
Watch the Solo Stove Bonfire review here:
Watch the Solo Stove Yukon review here:
I was given a solo stove “bonfire”Fire Pit for Christmas. It really burns efficiently with hardly any ashes. Also,it cooled down quickly.
With the bonfire, has anyone had issues using standard cut 17 inch logs.