Are you tired of dealing with thick smoke ruining your backyard bonfire nights? Smokeless fire pits have become a popular solution, allowing you to enjoy the warmth and ambiance without irritated eyes and smelly clothes. Two brands leading the smokeless fire pit market are Duraflame and Solo Stove. But which one should you choose for your outdoor living space?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll evaluate all the key factors like burn time, smoke output, portability, style and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the pros and cons of each brand to make the best investment for your fire pit needs. Let’s dive into the burning questions about Duraflame vs Solo Stove!
About Duraflame and Solo Stove Fire Pits
Duraflame is a well-known name in the fire log and fireplace industry. Their patented Outdoor Fire Pits take the mess-free burning technology from their classic firelog and put it into a sleek, backyard-friendly design. The pressed wax logs are incredibly easy to light and maintain.
Solo Stove, on the other hand, utilizes a special double-walled construction and precise engineering to create ultra-efficient combustion in a portable stainless steel stove. Their signature product line includes fire pits like the Ranger, Bonfire, and Yukon that can burn with little to no smoke.
Both brands have tapped into the desire for a low-smoke, low-mess fire pit experience. But how do their actual products stack up? Let’s compare the key deciding factors.
Burn Time and Heat Output
When it comes to burn time, Solo Stove has a clear advantage with their efficient wood/charcoal fuel. The Ranger can blaze for 4-6 hours, the Bonfire for 6-10 hours, and the Yukon a whopping 10-14 hours on a single fuel load. Perfect for long nights outdoors.
Duraflame’s pressed wax logs have a more limited 2-4 hour burn time depending on the size. However, they do produce an impressively high BTU output in the 18,000-22,000 range to crank out serious heat. Solo’s stoves put out lower BTUs but make up for it in ultra-efficient air flow.
So if you want a hotter, more intense blaze, Duraflame is best. But Solo Stove clearly wins for longest, most economical burn times from your fuel.
Smokeless Technology and Performance
The main selling point of these fire pits is their low to no smoke output. So just how effective are their “smokeless” designs?
Solo Stove pioneered their signature airflow system where air enters through vent holes on the double-walled bottom, heating up and traveling up along the walls of the stove. This creates a smoother, more complete combustion compared to open fires. According to the vast majority of user reviews, the system does work exceptionally well to reduce smoke.
Duraflame’s wax fire logs have long been touted as a low-smoke, low-mess indoor option. Their outdoor fire pits utilize a similar high-density wax compound specifically formulated for efficient outdoor burning and reduced smoke output. Most find they do produce noticeably less smoke than a wood burning fire pit.
However, there are more complaints about excessive smoke from Duraflame versus Solo Stove, especially if not burned at maximum temperature. The consensus seems to be Solo Stove offers the most truly “smokeless” experience overall.
Fuel Type and Cost
With Duraflame, you’re locked into using their wax fire logs which can get expensive over time compared to firewood. You’ll pay around $20-30 for a pack of 6 logs that will last around 3 hours of total burn time. Doing the math and maintaining a nightly multi-hour fire could add up quickly.
Solo Stove gives you the flexibility to use any regular wood, wood chunks or pellets you can buy in bulk for cheap from places like home improvement stores. Even better, they are designed to re-burn the smoke particulates so you actually use less fuel than a normal campfire. This gives Solo Stove fire pits a significant cost advantage in the long run.
Of course, there’s also the convenience factor – Duraflame fire logs are idiot-proof to light and maintain. While Solo requires some basic fire-building skills or their starter cubes accessory. It’s a tradeoff between low hassle and low operating cost.
Portability and Weight
If you’ll be frequently moving your fire pit around the backyard or to campsites, portability could be an important consideration. This is an area where Solo Stove really shines.
The smallest Ranger model weighs just 15 lbs and measures 15 inches wide – packable for RVs and campsites. Their Bonfire model is still relatively light at 20 lbs and the larger Yukon only 38 lbs. All models feature foldable legs and a lid to contain the ashes for transport. Very easy to load in the car.
Duraflame’s fire pits, on the other hand, are definitely on the heftier side since they utilize thick walled metal construction. Their smallest is 30 lbs, with larger models like the 46″ Haywood pit weighing in at over 100 lbs! These are pretty much stay-in-place units unless you have a truck. Not ideal for frequent travel.
So if portability matters, Solo Stove’s stainless steel, low weight fire pits have a clear advantage. The only knock is that unlike Duraflame, Solo does not offer any sort of wheeled or rolling models.
Design and Style
When it comes to appearance and backyard decor, there’s certainly an argument either way:
Solo Stove’s philosophy is more modern, industrial minimalism. Their signature stainless steel, barrel-shaped fireboxes have a very clean, sculptural presence. Simple, unobtrusive and designed to blend seamlessly into any outdoor living area. They offer limited colors like their signature stainless, camo green, and an attractive new amber brown.
Duraflame fire pits bring more of a traditional decorative presence with intricate metal detailing, ornate bases and decorative cut-out patterns on many models. Their cast iron and woven nylon-wrapped pits definitely have more of a homey, vintage-inspired feel. You’ll find a wider array of color options from black, bronze and copper tones.
There’s no right or wrong aesthetic here – it just depends on your personal taste and the existing decor of your patio or backyard space. Both provide attractive smokeless fire feature.
Assembly and Build Quality
Most reports indicate Solo Stove’s stainless steel fireboxes are extremely well-built and arrive undamaged thanks to their relatively simple construction. Very easy for one person to unpack and set up with basic tool assembly.
Duraflame fire pits are a bit more of a mixed bag when it comes to quality control and shipping issues. Their elaborate cast designs with multiple components leave more room for defects, dents or missing pieces. Some owners had to return there’s a few times before getting an undamaged model. Others wish the steel was a bit thicker gauge. Assembly is also more involved.
Once assembled though, Duraflame’s pits seem built to last decades with their powder-coated rust-resistance. And their customer service is generally very responsive about sending replacement parts or making things right. Solo Stoves may be a bit more durable in transporting.
Price and Value
Solo Stove fire pits aren’t cheap upfront, but their efficient burn and low operating costs provide excellent long-term value:
– Ranger (15″ model): $199.99
– Bonfire (19.5″): $269.99
– Yukon (27″): $489.99
The larger models in particular are an investment. But you’re getting a premium, precisely engineered stainless steel product that should last years and maximize your fuel usage.
Duraflame has a wider range of price points depending on size and metal construction:
– Haywood 46″ Cast Iron: $499
– 24″ Faux Woven: $179
– 30″ Steel Barrel: $299
While the upfront cost is lower on some models, remember you’ll be locked into paying a premium for their proprietary wax logs as recurring fuel. So the long-term operating costs could offset those initial savings if you plan to use it frequently.
There’s also more bundling options from Solo where you can get the stove plus fire pit tools, shields, covers and other accessories. So they offer a bit more flexibility in packaged deals.
Customer Service and Warranty
In terms of customer support, both brands seem to have a solid track record of honoring warranties and making things right if there are any product defects or issues.
Solo Stove offers a 1-year warranty on all products, along with a generous 60-day money back guarantee window for returns. Their US-based customer service team gets positive reviews for responsiveness and helpfulness.
Duraflame stands behind their products with a 1-year warranty on fire pits and 90-day coverage on things like accessories and tools. Their customer support scores are a bit more mixed, with some owners having trouble getting through or receiving incorrect replacement parts. But many do report successful resolutions in the end.
In terms of finding replacement components like air vents, fireboxes, or decorative panels, Solo Stove currently seems to have more available through their website and authorized retailers. This could come into play down the road after years of use.
With both companies, registering your product shortly after purchase is highly recommended to validate your warranty rights.
The Final Verdict: Which Smokeless Fire Pit is Best?
So after comparing Duraflame vs Solo Stove fire pits across all the key factors, who comes out on top? Here’s a quick recap:
**Go with Solo Stove if:**
– You want a truly smokeless experience
– Longer overall burn times are important
– You’ll frequently be taking it camping/traveling
– You prefer a modern minimalist design style
– You want more fuel options beyond just fire logs
**Go with Duraflame if:**
– You prioritize a higher BTU/hotter burn
– You want a traditional decorative metal pit
– You don’t mind the recurring cost of proprietary logs
– Easy fool-proof lighting is a must
– You need a rolling or wheeled option
At the end of the day, both Duraflame and Solo Stove make exceptional, high-quality smokeless fire pits that are legions ahead of cheap geo air fire pit alternatives. But Solo Stove’s combination of unbeatable smokeless capability, all-night burn times and lower operating costs make them the overall better long-term value for most buyers.
For a portable backyard or campsite fire pit you can effortlessly enjoy without eye irritation or smoky smells, Solo Stove’s innovative yet simple design will bring years of regular use and memorable nights under the stars. Just don’t forget to stock up on marshmallows!