Backside Line
The Solo Range Campfire is a good choice on our record of the most effective tenting stoves for these in search of a wood-burning range. Its design maximizes airflow so {that a} sensible fireplace can erupt from nearly nothing.
Nonetheless, this range does take some getting used to. Compact and finicky, creating fireplace on this range just isn’t as simple as setting one up in a hearth ring at camp. Plus, this range requires fixed consideration and well timed addition of wooden. Overcrowding gas could cause large quantities of smoke.
One of many main advantages of this range is that it doesn’t use propane or butane to gas. This could really feel like a aid to these trying to cut back their environmental imprint. Nonetheless, leaving the gasoline canisters at residence decreases the reliability of the burn, simmer means, and even cooking. By utilizing pure gas, this range does require information, talent, and endurance.
Once we examined, we discovered that probably the most dependable fireplace comes from the “second burn.” Every time we began a hearth within the Solo Range, we encountered numerous smoke. The primary time, we obtained a hearth going, but it surely burned out inside 2 minutes.
The second, we burned by means of the primary kindling. Once we added extra, the range produced an excellent fireplace with little smoke. The third time, we overcrowded the range with gas and produced an excessive amount of smoke (we started getting consideration from different campers).
We propose practising constructing a hearth on this range earlier than counting on it at camp for cooking meals. We additionally recommend researching widespread fireplace restrictions within the areas you camp –– some campgrounds, counties, state park techniques, and so on don’t enable wood-burning stoves.
How We Examined
We examined this range on three totally different tenting journeys, every time with sticks and twigs we discovered round camp plus wooden shavings as a firestarter.
Fast Specs
Solo Range Campfire
Finest Wooden-Burning Tenting Range
CleverHiker Score:
3.8/5.0
Value:
$110
Weight:
2.2 lb.
BTUs (per burner):
Varies
Variety of Burners:
1
Gas Sort:
Wooden
Effectivity:
4.2
Boil Time:
n/a
Ease of Use:
3.6
Professionals
- Highly effective
- Versatile
- Wind Guards
- Light-weight
- No want to purchase gas
Cons
- Cannot use beneath fireplace restrictions
- Might be smokey
- Troublesome to begin
- Wants fixed consideration
- Messy
Energy, Cooking Skill, & Gas Effectivity
Solo Range claims that the range is really easy {that a} novice can boil water inside ten minutes. We didn’t discover this to be true, nor did we discover that we might maintain a hearth lit lengthy sufficient to prepare dinner our breakfast.
This was the primary time our gear analyst used a Solo Range. She discovered that the confined area of the range was harder to get a hearth going than in a hearth pit. This range, she discovered, will not be the most effective for a newbie to depend on.
We took this range out on three separate checks. The primary we had been at a campground after a frost and needed to depend on damp sticks plus the firestarter that we introduced. Understandably, this mixture produced numerous smoke –– although we did get sufficient flame from the firestarter to roast a marshmallow.
Our subsequent two makes an attempt, we used wooden shavings or paper and dry sticks. We discovered that we must always have used bigger items of wooden. We obtained the fireplace began every time. Because the flame began to die down, we might add extra tinder –– small sticks or dried leaves. When dried leaves or extra wooden shavings had been added, the fireplace would go and die earlier than catching on the sticks. We’d add extra, however then the smoke would begin. It was overpowering smoke.
Certainly one of these makes an attempt did lead to a blazing fireplace for about 8-10 minutes. This “second burn” is what different person opinions say is the purpose. Whereas the primary burn may be smoky and temperamental, if you will get to this second burn, you’ll get a hearth that fills the range and produces little smoke.
Listed below are issues we advocate to get right here: use a dependable firestarter like a cotton ball soaked in vaseline; construct a hearth utilizing small sticks over the firestarter after which bigger one; restrict the quantity of quick-burning issues like leaves, paper, or pine needles. The bigger dimension sticks we predict would work could be thicker than a crayon round, however brief sufficient to beneath the range’s opening.
Portability
We beloved that this range nests throughout the pot it comes with and matches inside a carrying bag. Nonetheless, the range can get actually ashy and, even when packed up, it left a large number in our automobile when transporting to and from camp. We would have liked towels and additional water to scrub out the pot after we obtained to camp and wished to make use of it to prepare dinner our meals. We do love how small the range packs up although, and its mild weight makes it simple to hold, even with arms full.
Ease of Use
Whereas the Solo Range offers the flexibility of a wood-burning fireplace pit and camp range, there are a number of concerns when fascinated with taking this on a tenting journey. First, not all areas or campgrounds enable wood-burning stoves. Please examine rules earlier than utilizing. The range can also be greatest used on the bottom, which although not the worst, could make issues tougher.
Solo Range firm confirms that the range must be positioned on a heat-resistant floor when in use. You can’t place this on a picnic bench to prepare dinner. Concrete, stone, a firepan, or dust is right.
As we talked about above, there’s a studying curve to this range that may make it tough for a newbie to make use of or to reliably produce warmth. To make use of, you have to both pack in wooden or collect when at camp. We additionally recommend packing your individual fireplace starters as small issues like pine needles and dried leaves don’t burn lengthy sufficient to catch bigger twigs on fireplace. Lastly, it would go with out saying, however you have to convey a lighter or matches to begin this range.
Ought to You Purchase the Solo Range Campfire?
This range could be a nice choice for somebody who desires to make use of pure, renewable gas for his or her stoves. It’s also nice for individuals who need a fireplace pit together with a range, for gathering round or roasting marshmallows.
This range just isn’t nice for individuals who reside in areas with frequent fireplace restrictions. It might additionally not be an excellent choice for a newbie who wants extra reliability as they’re getting used to changing into a camp chef.
What Different Camp Stoves Ought to You Contemplate?
Eight different stoves made our record of favorites this 12 months. Browse the total camp range gear information to see what else we advocate.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Range Assessment: This one additionally has the power for a flat prime grill, however offers you a slatted grill, and a burner, making this a extra versatile range for these wanting to drag out all of the camp cooking stops. It is rather beginner-friendly, too.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Assessment: The Jetboil is a double-burner that folds right down to concerning the dimension of the Solo Range. Additionally, just like the Solo Range, it comes nested in a pot and a pan to make packing your cooking arrange simple.
Fuel ONE GS-3400P Assessment: This range permits for the flexibility of utilizing both propane or butane. It’s also mild weight, simple transport, and simple to pack. This range can also be very simple to make use of for a newbie.
