Honest review of the solo stove bonfire heat deflector

[@charles7368]

This is a terrific scientific study. I only wish solo stove could see that an accessory that’s 80% of the cost of the actual unit is excessive. Accessories should be no more than 30% of the mother ship, anything more is not an accessory.

[@jimmyg3855]

Excellent comment totally agree

[@shingod700]

Any other brand make accessories for the solo stove?

[@DV77737]

You take testing open flame fire pit reviews to the next level, with your flip-flops on. Great review I’m going to add this to my solo stove and thank you

[@tonypeters9073]

Your observations are spot on! We had the exact same experience with ours. Re-routes the heat extremely well, collects soot so it’s messy to handle, also noticed that the legs collapse very easily if you try to move/adjust it in any way. I would still recommend it because it does a great job with heat distribution.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks

[@FOGOcharcoal]

That's all the proof you need that it really works. Great thinking with the pans.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks Ron

[@anthonycolbourne4206]

Very impressive results just from the addition of a simple deflector. Too bad the actual cost of the deflector is so high...

[@CstotheZee]

It’s practically the price of the solo stove itself! You almost refuse to buy it because of that.

[@EricLS]

I just bought myself one today, and had to watch something before I open the box lol I got the stove so cheap the deflector was almost the same price. Oh well

[@slowseton7211]

Seems like you could make this deflector at home for less than $50-$80, Won’t look as good but will work exactly the same

[@adanmagana2017]

@@slowseton7211 I have an Outdoor Gourmet 22 inch “comal” which is basically a cooking disk you could use with a propane cooking stand or over an open fire. I bought from academy which cost $45 bucks and I use it frequently. I was thinking of using that as a heat deflector instead of buying this one

[@geemy9675]

especially for the price it should be perfect and send uniform heat from the feet to the head instead of setting your feet on fire but keeping your head cool. a 45 degree upside down cone could reflect most of the radiant heat horizontally and keep a good airflow...

[@bldrv7522]

I purchased a Solo Stove after first seeing one on your channel last year. I purchased several accessories but had not yet purchased the heat deflector. Looks like it’s time to make another purchase. Thanks for the review!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i've been excited for this accessory to ship

[@wesleydrew9242]

I've been waiting for your review on this ever since the product was announced. So glad to hear it works! My wife got me the solo stove for Christmas last year and purchased the deflector for my birthday recently but it's not due to ship for a couple of weeks.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@brunopenna9809]

I was wondering how the heat deflector heat distribution would compare to the cast iron grill top. I would assume the heat deflector would be more efficient but the grill top has another function as well.

[@Arkansas532]

Same

[@Peeingstickymilk]

Yea same here didn’t know he was gonna use the cast iron cooking top but I would think it’d be the same or better with the cast iron top since there is no holes like in the deflector to lose more heat

[@maxxu9264]

great content!! Seeing as how you have both the griddle and the deflector, would you say the griddle serves a similar purpose or would you recommend purchasing both? Thank you in advance!

[@TheChampionluva]

Any recommendations on a fire pit mat for wooden deck?

[@andrewdecker1472]

Random question, but are you using the solo stove under the pavilion? I have a 14x14 pavilion that looks similar to yours and have debated it but wasn't sure if it gets too hot for the fan, ceiling etc.

[@phoenixbac]

I had the same question and thought this heat deflector would be a great option to put the fire pit under my lanai. James, can you confirm?

[@glidingbird]

@@phoenixbac same question .. no reply ?? Looks like a fire gazzard

[@dunrob13]

Heat deflector makes sense it would work and you did a great review. I think adding wood would be more difficult and the cost for the solo wiyh accecories is to much.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

only the largest splits can get difficult to load so you will want some high heat gloves for that. i agree the price for some utility gets a little nuts, thankfully it seems they are on sale every other week which brings things a little less absurd

[@kermyttv]

Is it difficult to place additional wood in the fire without taking that heat deflector off?

[@steveniemyer9288]

The first generation was as the legs were too short. Solo stove has since increased the length of the legs and it is much easier to add wood now. also if you had the shorter legs, solo stove sent out the new longer legs for free. My brother has one and the difference between the shorter legs and longer legs is just a few inches but it makes all the difference.

[@jonspeak2807]

Looks like it works great. I live in Florida though, I don’t think I’d get much use out of it. Maybe? I’m getting chilled much easier in my old age.

[@jeddi209]

Great video! Just ordered mine with the deflector.

[@smokingtarheel3003]

Looking forward to the camping videos and the cooks. It must be nice to have cool evenings. A cool evening here is 72 - 75 degrees with much humidity. Nice solo stove accessory!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks

[@erics670]

I really like your reviews and they are very in depth. One thing I dislike about the solo stove is the price and then nickel and diming for everything. I'm sure this deflector is great, but probably not worth 169.00 as advertised on the website...

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i think the cast iron accessory on the cooking system does 80% of the same thing so if you're ok with the visual look of it really dont need both for the $$$

[@pengouin]

great videos and great tips, but i just want to know are you sponsored by all those company? or is that independant reviews that is not affected by the fact that they probably give you those products, would like to know to be able to have a true opinion.

[@Nanyewu]

Hi James, can I put my cast iron pan on top of the deflecter fry some eggs?

[@deanmatty8568]

At what point do you have too much hardware around the fire so you won't enjoy the fire other than for heat. I enjoy the view of the fire also. Great video.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Well that’s the biggest short fall of the solo stove for sure. It is already a little closed off and this does not help. Makes it more of an outdoor heater than a visual fire

[@GorillaBikeRider]

Great review and presentation! Thank you for the tip about bringing something to store it on!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@iliketurtles536]

Great job, this was my problem with mine. Does not keep us warm.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks, same here... i got my feet so close once trying to get some warmth i burnt my leg touching the side of the stove... this fixes that

[@ashleyschnell695]

Thanks for the review and the tips on placing prior to lighting! It’s the small things, right? Just purchased mine, and it’s still in the box. I’ll go ahead and break it out next weekend!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

congrats, hope you enjoy

[@3ue8d8eyej2odid8]

Great video! I'd greatly appreciate a response as I'm about to purchase. 1 quick call out... I'd bet if you waited about 15 minutes before adding the heat deflector, you'd have much less sut after the double burn/smokeless takes affect. I'm thinking of utilizing the grill hub with a cast-iron wok or grill grate and I'm curious if that would do about as good as a job defecting heat while also being dual purpose. Do you have any experience with these cast iron accessories? Thanks for the great video!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I found the cast iron wok to work nearly as well I think you could get away with just that

[@3ue8d8eyej2odid8]

@@SmokingDadBBQ great to know! Thanks!!!!

[@TK-tf7qn]

Thank you for the great review. I have noticed quite a bit of smoke after you placed the heat deflector. I saw smoke like this in a few different other videos too. Have you noticed it? Smoke is increasing maybe because the draft is reduced?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

it is just the fresh wood / bark that does clean up after a min or two. i wouldn't say there is more smoke... but it stops the heat and what smoke there is going straight up and pushes that heat and little smoke out so in a way its slightly smokier but not like a campfire

[@TK-tf7qn]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Thanks again for the great review and taking the time to answer :)

[@BehindTheFoodTV]

Looks like a nice accessory! Great idea testing with the cast iron!

[@rybobuno]

What are you using to hold the deflecdtor up for your test since it wasn't the fold out legs.

[@elizabethmell1531]

Great video! On camera, it looks like adding the heat deflector creates more smoke. Does adding that accessory make the surrounding area smokey or smokier? Thanks!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

The birch bark makes it seem worse as I had just added it. It does push more heat and some smoke out but once it’s going clean it’s not bad. Same as normal where you don’t smell like smoke and the small amount that does come your way is a worthwhile trade off for the heat on cold days

[@viranjith]

Great test! Has it been durable? I am picking up one for my ranger

[@kieseley]

Hi! Is this the Hub with a deflector on top?

[@androsbracamontes2200]

Seems like is producing more smoke with the deflector vs no deflector.. Is that accurate?

[@kevinkitchen3351]

Great review with data. We're in the decision process, and your review is very helpful.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeremythevirushuang6303]

Love the video! Heat measurement was nicely done!

[@johntodys]

I see a lot of smoke coming from the deflector. Is that take away from being smokeless?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It’s not smokeless. Just less smoke than a normal fire

[@davidgordon6540]

Great video, thanks! Very helpful in making the decision to get the deflector. Do you know if I can I keep my spark shield in place while using the deflector? It appears by the photos on the Solo web site that there would be room for the legs of the deflector on the lip. Thanks again.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

no you cant use the spark shield, i tried and couldn't get it to fit

[@davidgordon6540]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Thanks for your reply and your info. The Solo agent said they could fit on at the same time, and I ordered the shield. The last FAQ on the Solo website only says the airflow might be compromised by using both together. I’ll let you know.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@davidgordon6540 clearly I need to try again

[@prtube1]

Thank you for the video, looks like an excellent bonfire unit. What are the dimensions of the one you got? Thanks in advance.

[@terrybumblis3732]

Very nice review. I was thinking that a couple of thermometers would be better.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers

[@TheLauren1113]

Thanks. I want to pick this up for fall.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It's so good!

[@wideawake333]

Does it create a danger with flame moving out along the bottom of the redirect shield vs straight up flame? Also, it seems to smoke more with that on, which obviously the point of the solo stove to begin with is smokeless or did you find that you needed less wood to keep warm since the heat was redirected and so would not smoke with less wood needed?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

That was more this batch of birch bark. Doesn’t normally do that but my warp has gotten a little worse since recording this For the flames you can control based on log placement and qty. it’s not had us nervous at any point

[@paulthomas3782]

Hi James, Looks like a great accessory for the Solo Stove nice to keep the feet warm. Thanks for sharing Cheers.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

You bet

[@wilsonbaskett4085]

What was the tool you used to light the stove

[@cyndy-glenn]

Did you happen to notice how hot your deck was near the stove? Would it need a piece of cement board under the stove so the deck doesn’t catch fire?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

100% cool to the touch as i have the ring / riser made for decks... it works well, you can place and hold your hand under it and get nothing

[@blt6129]

As always, great video James! I’m considering the purchase, thanks for the info.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bendez85]

Is the heat deflector strong enough to hold a griddle? I'm wondering if it's possible to cook on this..

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

no but you could get the cast iron wok / grid for the cooking system and it pushes heat out as well and then you can cook on it

[@HaukeSchroeder]

Hey having a short question. Can you please tell me about temperatures of the solo stove on the wooden deck? Best and thanks in advance Hauke

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

With the deck ring the wood under is not to hot to touch with your hand

[@cwe5445]

can you compare the legs vs the cooking ring being used for the heat sheild ? or is there no diffrence in the 2 since the ring is 8" vs 10" high legs

[@niceguybille]

I’m not sure if it was timing of wood being added but in a couple of the shots there’s some smoke visible. Have you noticed the deflector affecting the secondary burn causing more smoke? Our Breeo does a pretty good job with putting off radiant heat but I haven’t ruled out adding a heat deflector to divert more heat out/down. Thankless for the video, James! 🙂

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

fresh wood definitely has some smoke... i think its more accurately an odourless smoke than it is smokeless

[@niceguybille]

@@SmokingDadBBQ I have to remind the wife that our pit isn’t smoke free but smoke “less”. 😉

[@VRSimWizard]

What is the three-legged support you're using there? Great video.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

its the bonfire cooking hub ring

[@VRSimWizard]

@@SmokingDadBBQ , ah, of course. Thanks. Sounds like you really liked the deflector.

[@BrokeGuyBBQ]

Any issues with running the solo stove on a wood deck with having the riser? Looking at getting a ranger set up for home and camping. But having a cedar deck concerns me.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

no its completely cool to the touch under the ring made for wood decks

[@emmaturner2558]

Looks like there is smoke due to build up of soot on the deflector - so it works but you will get smoke?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Fresh wood blackens it. The stove is low smoke not smoke less like they say. You don’t smell like campfire

[@dvdstelt]

Nice review, thanks for that. I also notice you put the stove (incl. stand) on wood and seem perfectly okay with that. That's great to see. One question though. Without the heat deflector, doesn't the roof above you get extremely hot?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

We have the base ring that’s meant for the deck and it works great, no hot wood underneath. It’s open here, no roof directly above but we have had it under the pergola in the back in winter with no issues

[@dvdstelt]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Awesome, thanks for the reply! I bought mine and it just got delivered. Black Friday discount and it includes a free Mesa. That's the tiny one. Very interested to experience both.

[@JayCronk]

@@SmokingDadBBQ I have been wondering about putting a Solo Stove under a pergola. Would like to get one for ours but wasn't sure if that was safe. No issues with discoloration or anything under your pergola, etc?

[@mark1dags]

Great video. Looking forward to those camping cook out videos as we do a lot of the same. Can I ask what size solo stove you have/recommend?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i dont have a free / abundant wood supply so i went bonfire... the yukon is lovely but it burns a LOT of wood

[@chrisrobinson4095]

Curious. Does the deflector have 'some' of the benefits of the shield? We were thinking of the shield but don't really want to pay for both. Thanks.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

the shield doesn't work with the deflector anyways, i never use the shield as i dont find it sparks often. was kinda a waste of the extra $$

[@chrisrobinson4095]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Thanks. Agree. Did you find the deflector also 'deflected' embers?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@chrisrobinson4095 haven’t had it hit us yet so I think it stops some

[@WiseOldOwl3]

Well thought out review.

[@BYLRPhil]

Thanks for the review! Last time we went camping ⛺️ people were complaining about the heat from my Solo Bonfire was shooting straight up. This seems like a great solution!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

its amazing the difference

[@kingsleyzissou5881]

Where do you live - it looks beautiful and the birds are chirping

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks, Ontario Canada

[@bayside6207]

Great, I'll purchase this accessory for my less expensive but Better Build Quality"Amicus"smokeless fire pit, again thank you.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Fits ok?

[@bayside6207]

@@SmokingDadBBQ We'll find out nerdy Birdy.

[@elderhiker7787]

I’m hoping that you test the feasibility of having a kettle of hot water, or a percolator coffee pot on top of the solo heat deflector. That would be perfect for a cold fall/winter morning to have a human warmer and hot coffee/ hot chocolate readily available too. That is camping nirvana, eh?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

oh thats a good idea

[@LucienDupont]

James, I recognize that shirt!!!! 😀🍎 (have it in my closet as well!)

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

haha its a good one

[@banksjim]

Which size / model Solo stove was this?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

bonfire (about 18")

[@steveniemyer9288]

My brother has one and our pants legs measured 120 degrees about 3 feet from the fire. It works so well I had to back my chair up as it was just way to hot for me. With that I made one and found that I can get similar heat distribution for $60 with a heat deflector made for patio heaters, all thread rod and and a few nuts and washers. The only difference is the patio heat deflector is made from aluminum not steel and it’s not as pleasing to look at.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

hey it works... this kinda warped some and gets black so the looks are not that critical if it works for less money go for it

[@wes326]

How about a fire pit that simply has a lot of holes or is made of thick wire mesh?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

there are lots of how to make smokeless pit plans for free online if you wanted to build a dedicated space

[@caseycaldwell5821]

Looks like a pain to situate it on top while a fire is roaring. Also, seems like a risk of knocking it off while loading more wood.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

the visual is not great... the solo already limits the view of the fire and this only reduces the visibility even more. I use the bonfire ring vs the legs as it's very stable on that and have never had an issue. It has also warped slightly since recording this FYI

[@HVB86-c3z]

Are you sitting underneath a roof? I was wondering how hot the ceiling would get. Thinking about getting one but affraid it will get to hot if placed underneath a roofed area.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

no but i have used it under the roof behind me and in our pergola out back with no issues... both are about 9-10ft high

[@HVB86-c3z]

@@SmokingDadBBQ great. That's about the same height as my pergola. Was this with the deflector or without it?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@HVB86-c3z without so I would think better with it

[@HVB86-c3z]

@@SmokingDadBBQ awesome. Thank you very much for the info

[@jameskolbeson4373]

How much heat was deflected down to the deck?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i couldn't measure a difference from the deck in the direct sun to the deck near the fire pit... it was a hot day so maybe more noticeable in cooler weather like we are having now where the deck is definitely warmer and if its damp you see it dry a little but to the touch (since its freezing outside) its not hot / a concern for the deck at all

[@oceangoin79]

Fantastic review! Now I'm bummed I didn't purchase this sooner as we're having friends over for NYE. Nice facepalm there. 😅

[@crazeewangeh6212]

Shouldn't the pans be the same size? The smaller pan takes less energy to reach a specific temp than the larger pan?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i dont have the same pan to do it... but after 20min with each there was a clear change in the bottom pan and a clear change in my shins feeling like they were going to catch fire

[@BushmanOutdoors]

Can you cook on top of it?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

its stainless so i guess you could but it will slope towards the fire. i use a cooking grid on top of this bonfire hub for actual cooking and this for heat only

[@metalmulishaz123]

You should try out the Blaze kamado, they're cast aluminum style kettle smoker. A lot more durable than ceramic style smokers. They're about $2,800 and made in Louisiana

[@toyotaguy75]

Kamado Joe ftw!

[@tommiller9743]

If the legs wiggled on your heat reflector, then you did not follow the instructions and did not attach them properly. When attached properly, the legs are secure and do not 'hinge' or move!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i got that later but i still prefer the hub as there is no way to remove them without getting black everywhere when you want to pack up your site and move places. the hub flips inside the stove and is easier to transport

[@tommiller9743]

@Smoking Dad BBQ either way, it is an awesome product!!! Have a great Christmas!

[@CoolJay77]

That is cool.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

thanks

[@FrankWoodPhotography]

It’s like sitting round a dustbin! 😂

[@ap5139]

I love paying for a design flaw😂😂😂

[@sarwatahmed3850]

Its seems like its producing whole lot dark smoke with deflector on…

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

the birch bark i was using / just added did that but thats not normal

[@egolli2158]

Is it just me or does that thing look like a city sidewalk garbage can on fire when it has the lid?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

hahaha cant unsee that now lol

[@cameron3395]

It looks like it deflects the smoke also unfortunately.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

its way better than a camp fire ...but i would never call it a smokeless pit... it smokes way less for sure, but its not 100% no smoke and this accessory pushes the heat and some of the smoke out. in the video the stuff you see is the bark, it cleans up better as it goes on

[@mlyboy]

The legs were flimsy because you didn’t install the clips fully.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i would check again but i tossed them and just use the bonfire cooking hub as its no issue/ easier to install and remove for camping as it flips upside down and stores in the stove

[@Protheo]

I think you probably didn't put the leg correctly. Of what I see, the legs come in 2 parts, the legs and a part to fix it on the top. During the live presentation of the product by solo stove they assemble it and move few times the deflector and the legs didn't move (kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYSqqaJmg7xkkLs). I will wait to see if the heat deflector I will receive is the same of the one present by solostove during the live presentation, but it really look to not move like it was in your video.

[@michaelvoorhees5978]

First!!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

😊

[@ondrey95]

This looks like a Lloyd center mall trash can.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

hahah its not pretty thats for sure

[@setthehook4me]

Your legs look red towards the end.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

they almost became kindling

[@bretthines6893]

I have a bonfire and this whole thing just seems like to much work… the bonfire is not big enough for normal firewood to begin with and the to have to manage the deflector as well and then needing special gloves… ridiculous

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

there are a lot of trade offs being made when you add them all up for sure

[@columbusinternationalflash1207]

Considering you should have 15 to 20 feet clearance above the fire pit a basic sophromric measurement that any high school student can do....mmmm not sure I'm listening to anything you have to say.