How-To
Care and Maintenance for Your Solo Stove Fire Pit
Aug 30, 2022Our fire pits need very little maintenance. But if you want to ensure season after season of relaxing evenings around the fire, we suggest you follow these basic care tips.
1. Choose the Right Wood
Hardwoods, such as oak, pecan, or hickory, and harder softwoods, such as juniper and cedar, are the best fuel for your fire pit. These varieties are seasoned, meaning all the moisture has been evaporated. Wet or damp wood will create a smoky flame, as well as make your fire pit harder to clean. For the best flame, we recommend burning our Oak or Juniper firewood. Each log is kiln-dried and pre-cut to fit right inside any size Solo Stove fire pit.
You can burn virtually any type of wood pellet in your Solo Stove Fire Pit as well with Pellet Adapter. Each type of pellet will provide a different experience and can influence your purchasing decision.
Heating pellets are designed to be used as fuel only, and should not be cooked over. They are typically made of softwoods and will burn at a slightly quicker pace.
Hardwood pellets (like Solo Stove’s Premium Wood Fuel Pellets) are a great option and will burn beautifully. If you want to roast s’mores or hot dogs, make sure that your hardwood pellets are food-safe.
2. After Use
After your fire has gone out, check to make sure your fire pit is cool to the touch. If so, tip the fire pit upside down to empty the ashes. If you’re unable to tip over your fire pit, you can also use a shop vacuum to remove the ash!
Then, we recommend you store your fire pit in a cool, dry location, such as Station.
3. Gold and Blue “Patina” Is Normal
It’s completely normal for gold and blue hues to emerge on your fire pit after a handful of burns. We call it the “patina.” (We think it’s a badge of honor to how many fires you’ve enjoyed.) The patina is caused by the fire pit’s 304 stainless steel reacting to the intense heat generated inside your fire pit, but it doesn’t affect its performance.
However, if you like to keep your fire pit or camp stove as shiny as the first time you took it out of the box, you can polish it up with Bar Keepers Friend. Using a damp rag, rub a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend along the outside of your fire pit in the direction of the stainless steel’s grain. For more information, check out the tutorial below.
4. Cover When Stored Outdoors
If you plan on storing your fire pit outdoors, we recommend covering your fire pit when it’s not in use. A little moisture on the outside of your fire pit is okay as long as you dry it off with a towel. However, moisture can damage the grate and ashpan inside your fire pit. We recommend using Shelter with your fire pit to keep it safe from the elements. Shelter is made with the same material used to make whitewater rafts, and its reinforced dome top keeps water from pooling.
Planning on leaving your fire pit in one spot just for the night? Lid is the perfect temporary cover option for your fire pit. Once the fire has died down and your fire pit is cool to the touch, top your fire pit with Lid and you can turn in! (Lid also allows you to use your fire pit as a table when not in use.)
5. Use Stand to Protect Heat-Sensitive Surfaces
If you want to use your fire pit on a deck (wood, composite, or Trex), stained concrete, grass, or any other heat-sensitive surface, we highly recommend using Stand. Stand minimizes heat transfer from Bonfire to heat-sensitive surfaces by raising up your fire pit and allowing cool air to pass through its vent holes. With Stand, you can enjoy the roaring fire in your Solo Stove on virtually any surface!
By following these simple care instructions, your Solo Stove fire pit will burn more efficiently and cleanly, and remain in top shape for a lifetime of enjoyment around a hot, roaring fire.
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