Smokeless fire pit showdown: Solo Stove, Slinky Stove, and BioLite compared

By Cheri Sicard
Campfires. Is there anything better? They bring warmth, light, and that unbeatable cozy vibe to any outdoor adventure. But let’s face it: Smoke can be a real buzzkill. That’s where “smokeless” fire pits come in. These nifty devices promise a fire with less of the eye-watering, lung-burning smoke we all dread. Portable fire pits are especially popular with RVers who want a contained and convenient campfire option.

In the video below, Jason Epperson of RV Miles puts three top contenders to the test: the Solo Stove, the Slinky Stove, and the BioLite Firepit+. Each has its own set of pros and cons, and this comparison will help you decide which one is the right fit for you.

Understanding the “smokeless” claim

First, let’s clear something up: No fire pit is truly 100% smokeless. They’re all going to make some smoke. Instead, think of these as low-smoke fire pits. They’re designed to minimize smoke, and all three models do a pretty good job of it.

Want to keep the smoke to a minimum? The key is to keep the wood entirely inside the fire pit. Wood sticking out of the top will smoke a lot more because it’s cooler.

Standard firewood, like those bundles you grab at a gas station, might need a little trimming to fit some of these fire pits. Sometimes, just cutting the wood down the middle is enough to make it work.

Meet the contenders: An overview

Let’s take a closer look at each of these smokeless fire pits.

Solo Stove Bonfire

The Solo Stove is kind of the original in the smokeless fire pit world, so it makes sense to start here. The model being reviewed here is the Bonfire, their standard size. This fire pit is 19½ inches. It comes with a ring that sits on top. Newer models have a removable ash pan, which is a nice upgrade. (Older models could be a little messy to clean.)

The Solo Stove uses a double-burn convection process. There are air holes at the bottom and top, plus a fire grate with even more air holes. The double-wall construction creates an air channel. As the fire heats up, it draws in oxygen, making the fire burn cleaner and hotter. Solo Stove has accessories like a stand, deflector, lid, and bag. Keep in mind these cost extra. The stand gets the fire pit off the ground to protect the grass. It actually fits inside the stove for travel. The carrying bag is nice, but it can be a bit tricky to get the Solo Stove in there because it doesn’t have handles.

Here’s a link to the Solo Stove Bonfire.

Slinky Stove

The Slinky Stove is a direct competitor to the Solo Stove. It’s got a lot going for it, including a lower price and a bunch of included accessories. It comes with a lid (that doubles as a ground protector), folding legs, a cooking grate, a tool for removing the grate, a removable ashtray, and a carrying bag.

The Slinky Stove has a single-wall construction with concentric rings. These rings have air channels to help with airflow. It also has handles, which make it easy to move around. Here’s where the Slinky Stove really shines: It’s collapsible. This is a major selling point for anyone tight on space. It collapses into multiple layers and can be used for cooking at different levels. When collapsed, it’s significantly smaller than the Solo Stove.

The model being tested is 17 inches. Because it gets skinnier towards the bottom, standard logs might need to be cut to fit. However, Slinky Stove has a larger 23-inch model that might be a better fit for standard logs. It still collapses down for easy travel.

Here’s a link to the Slinky Stove.

BioLite Firepit+

This one has a unique feature: an integrated fan and battery. The big yellow box on the side houses the fan and battery and can be unclicked for easy removal. The fan blows air onto the fire for consistent burning and low smoke. Air tubes run along the bottom and sides of the fire pit. You can adjust the fan speed with the press of a button, or by using the BioLite app. The battery lasts for about 6 hours on high or 22 hours on low. It even has charging ports, so it can charge your phone.

The BioLite Firepit+ has an unusual rectangular shape. No need to build a log cabin—just lay the logs next to each other. The mesh sides let you see the fire.

It puts out a little more heat than the other two models. When it’s time to put the fire out, just crank up the fan. It’ll burn through the coals quickly.

BioLite Firepit+ has fold-out legs and comes with a cooking grate. The bag is sold separately. The cooking grate has rails around it to keep food from rolling off. The cooking surface is smaller than the Slinky Stove.

Here’s the link to the BioLite Firepit+.

The showdown: pros, cons, and head-to-head comparison

So, how do these three fire pits stack up? The video gives a lot of details, so be sure to watch if you are in the market for one of these.

For those who don’t like video, here is Jason’s conclusion broken down by category:

• Traditional smokeless fire pit: Solo Stove (or larger Slinky Stove)

• Most portable: Slinky Stove

• Best value: Slinky Stove

• Low maintenance: BioLite (due to the fan)

• Cooking: BioLite and Slinky Stove (different methods)

• Heat output: BioLite and Slinky Stove (slightly better than Solo Stove)

• Construction: BioLite and Solo Stove

So, which fire pit is the best? It really depends on what you’re looking for and your RV lifestyle. Think about what’s most important: portability, value and/or unique features and decide accordingly.

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