Solo Stove- Bonfire Smokeless Fire Pit

19.5"

Solo Stove Bonfire (19.5") is the classic backyard smokeless fire pit size: big enough for a small group, still portable, and easy to run once you get the hang of it. It burns cleanest after it’s fully hot, giving you big flames with way less smoke than a basic open fire bowl.

HearthTrail Badges™

Achievements

Quick, game-style callouts that show what this pit is built for—so you can compare faster.

ReburnTech
Low Smoke Burn
EditorPick
HearthTrail Editor Pick
Low-Drama
Neighbor Approved
AoEHeat
Bigger Warmth Zone
PartyBuff
Holiday Hosting
AutumnDrop
Fall Fire Season
Cold-WeatherKit
Winter Warmth Pick

Usability & Value

How it fits in real life

What it’s best for, and where it lands on value.

Use-Cases

Small Patios / BalconiesBig BackyardsCamping / OverlandingDeck-Friendly with Stand

Value / Price Tier

Midrange
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Score

Fit Score

HearthTrail Fit™ is our shorthand for how easy this is to live with in real backyards – balancing performance, ease of use, and value.

Overall Fit Score 9/10 Almost a no-brainer if it fits your space and budget.
Smoke & Spark Control
5/5
Heat Output & Warmth
4/5
Ease of Use & Cleanup
5/5
Portability & Storage
4/5
Value for Money
4/5

Great if…

  • You want a low-smoke backyard pit that’s a proven crowd-pleaser for 4–6 people 
  • You want easier cleanup than older smokeless pits (removable ash pan) 
  • You like a premium stainless pit that resists rust and can handle regular use 
  • You want something you can still move/store without it being a permanent fixture (about 23 lbs)

Think twice if…

  • You want a pit that sips wood (it tends to burn through fuel faster than a basic fire ring)
  • You want strong leg-level warmth without add-ons (many owners say radiant heat is limited unless you’re close or use accessories)
  • You expect “zero smoke” from first spark to last coal (wood quality, airflow, and wind still matter)
  • You don’t want to spend extra on the “complete setup” (stand/heat deflector/spark screen/shelter add up)

Our take…

This is the classic “easy smokeless backyard pit” for 4–6 people: great flame show, very low smoke once it’s ripping, and the 2.0 ash pan makes cleanup way less annoying. The trade-off is it can feel like a wood-hungry light show unless you keep feeding it and/or add a heat deflector for better outward warmth.

Basics

Backyard Basics

The quick, real-world stuff: cooking, warmth, space, and what it’s like to live with.

Cooking Ready?

Snack-only (s’mores, hot dogs)Works with grill / griddle accessoriesCooking-ready with grill / griddle top (sold separately)Pizza-oven add-on compatible

Ideal Group Size

4–6 people (family size)3–5 people (close friends)

Heat Radius

Comfortable within ~4 ft

Space Needed

Standard patio zone (6' x 6' clear space)Needs full seating circle (8–10 ft diameter)Works in most suburban patios

Worthy Mentions

  1. It’s low-smoke once the fire is truly hot, but you’ll still see smoke during startup and anytime you choke it down or use damp wood.
  2. Warmth is best in a closer circle and it tends to rise; a heat deflector is a common add-on if you want warmer legs and more heat at the seats.
  3. The removable ash pan helps a lot with cleanup, but keeping the airflow path clear matters or the “smokeless” effect drops; also, it can burn through wood faster than a basic open pit when you run it hot for a clean burn.

Fuel

Fuel & Burn Profile

What to burn, what to avoid, and what the “real” burn looks like once it’s going.

Fuel Type

Wood

Recommended Fuel

Standard backyard bundle (seasoned mixed hardwood logs)Smokeless default bundle (kiln-dried hardwood splits, 3–4" thick)

Fuel to Avoid

Low-smoke bundle (avoid softwoods like pine/fir/cedar and all trash/cardboard)Unknown-treatment bundle (avoid pressure-treated, painted/stained wood, construction scraps, and pallets)

Typical Burn Time

About 45–60 minutes of strong flame per loadAll evening with periodic refueling

Get Unit Started

Short log cabin stack with kindling in the centerHandful of kindling + 4–6 small splits

Ash / Residue Output

Low

Piece Thickness (wood models only)

Small–medium splits (3–4" thick)Avoid logs thicker than 5–6"

Max Piece Size (wood models only)

Up to 16" logs (most full-size pits)

Details

Product Specs

The quick-reference stuff you actually compare.

Brand
Solo Stove
Model
Bonfire 19.5
Dimensions
22"D x 22"W x 17"H
Weight
20 Pounds
Model Family
Bonfire
Release
Around 2023
Materials
304 stainless steel body and internal components.
Made In
Imported – designed by Solo Stove in Grapevine, Texas, and manufactured overseas (primarily in China).
Warranty
ndustry-leading lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects on genuine Solo Stove products. Normal wear and misuse aren’t covered; if damage from misuse can’t be repaired, Solo Stove offers a one-time 50% off replacement discount.

In Plain English

The real-world take

Short, practical notes—what matters, what doesn’t, and what to expect.

Why we like it

  • It’s the “just right” size for most people: fits a normal patio setup and feels like a real fire
  • Once it’s rolling, the secondary burn really does cut down the smoke
  • Bonfire 2.0 cleanup is much easier than older versions thanks to the removable ash pan
  • Big accessory lineup if you want to add a spark screen, heat deflector, cover, or cooking add-ons later

Best for

Backyards and patios; 4–6 people sitting fairly close; anyone who wants the smokeless look and vibe without going huge like a Yukon

Things to know

  • It will smoke at startup and when the fire is dying down; the “smokeless” part is mostly mid-burn
  • It can burn through wood fast if you keep it roaring hot (that clean burn takes fuel)
  • Radiant heat is more “sit close and enjoy” than “warm the whole yard” unless you add a heat deflector
  • The bottom gets hot, so a stand is strongly recommended for protecting decks and other heat-sensitive surfaces

Other HearthTrail favorites

If you want smaller and more grab-and-go, look at Solo Stove Ranger 2.0. If you want a bigger, more “party pit” fire, Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 is the step up. If you care a lot about live-fire cooking versatility, Breeo’s X Series is a common alternative.

Sources solostove.com, homedepot.com, amazon.com, walmart.com, reddit.com, foodandwine.com

Color: Stainless Steel
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