Backside Line
The Solo Range Campfire is a superb choice on our record of the most effective tenting stoves for these on the lookout for a wood-burning range. Its design maximizes airflow so {that a} sensible fireplace can erupt from virtually nothing.
Nonetheless, this range does take some getting used to. Compact and finicky, creating fireplace on this range shouldn’t be 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 gasoline may cause large quantities of smoke.
One of many main advantages of this range is that it doesn’t use propane or butane to gasoline. This will really feel like a aid to these trying to cut back their environmental imprint. Nonetheless, leaving the fuel canisters at house decreases the reliability of the burn, simmer skill, and even cooking. Through the use of pure gasoline, this range does require information, ability, and endurance.
Once we examined, we discovered that essentially the most dependable fireplace comes from the “second burn.” Every time we began a hearth within the Solo Range, we encountered lots of smoke. The primary time, we obtained a hearth going, but it surely burned out inside 2 minutes.
The second, we burned via the primary kindling. Once we added extra, the range produced a great fireplace with little smoke. The third time, we overcrowded the range with gasoline and produced an excessive amount of smoke (we started getting consideration from different campers).
We advise training constructing a hearth on this range earlier than counting on it at camp for cooking meals. We additionally recommend researching frequent fireplace restrictions within the areas you camp –– some campgrounds, counties, state park techniques, and so forth don’t permit wood-burning stoves.
How We Examined
We examined this range on three completely different tenting journeys, every time with sticks and twigs we discovered round camp plus wooden shavings as a firestarter.
Fast Specs
Solo Range Campfire
Greatest Wooden-Burning Tenting Range
CleverHiker Ranking:
3.8/5.0
Worth:
$110
Weight:
2.2 lb.
BTUs (per burner):
Varies
Variety of Burners:
1
Gas Kind:
Wooden
Effectivity:
4.2
Boil Time:
n/a
Ease of Use:
3.6
Execs
- Highly effective
- Versatile
- Wind Guards
- Light-weight
- No want to purchase gasoline
Cons
- Cannot use underneath fireplace restrictions
- Will be smokey
- Tough to begin
- Wants fixed consideration
- Messy
Energy, Cooking Potential, & 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 may preserve 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 house of the range was tougher 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 exams. The primary we have been at a campground after a frost and needed to depend on damp sticks plus the firestarter that we introduced. Understandably, this mixture produced lots of 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 should always have used bigger items of wooden. We obtained the hearth 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 have 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.
One in every of these makes an attempt did lead to a blazing fireplace for about 8-10 minutes. This “second burn” is what different consumer critiques say is the aim. Whereas the primary burn will be smoky and temperamental, if you may get to this second burn, you’ll get a hearth that fills the range and produces little smoke.
Listed here are issues we suggest 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 expect would work could be thicker than a crayon round, however brief sufficient to beneath the range’s opening.
Portability
We cherished that this range nests inside the pot it comes with and suits 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 wanted towels and additional water to wash out the pot once 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 excited about taking this on a tenting journey. First, not all areas or campgrounds permit wood-burning stoves. Please verify laws earlier than utilizing. The range can 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 grime is good.
As we talked about above, there’s a studying curve to this range that may make it troublesome for a newbie to make use of or to reliably produce warmth. To make use of, you will need 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’d go with out saying, however you will need to deliver a lighter or matches to begin this range.
Ought to You Purchase the Solo Range Campfire?
This range generally is a nice choice for somebody who needs to make use of pure, renewable gasoline for his or her stoves. It is usually nice for individuals who need a fireplace pit together with a range, for gathering round or roasting marshmallows.
This range shouldn’t be nice for individuals who reside in areas with frequent fireplace restrictions. It could additionally not be a great 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 Think about?
Eight different stoves made our record of favorites this yr. Browse the total camp range gear information to see what else we suggest.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Range Evaluation: This one additionally has the power for a flat prime grill, however provides you a slatted grill, and a burner, making this a extra versatile range for these wanting to tug out all of the camp cooking stops. It is extremely beginner-friendly, too.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Evaluation: The Jetboil is a double-burner that folds right down to in regards to 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 Evaluation: This range permits for the flexibility of utilizing both propane or butane. It is usually mild weight, simple transport, and simple to pack. This range can be very simple to make use of for a newbie.
