I bought the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 for the cabin in PA. The original plan was simple: a fire pit that wouldn’t smoke out whoever was sitting downwind. After a full year of using it — fall bonfires, winter weekend trips, summer family cookouts — here’s what I actually think about this smokeless fire pit […]
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I bought the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 for the cabin in PA. The original plan was simple: a fire pit that wouldn’t smoke out whoever was sitting downwind. After a full year of using it — fall bonfires, winter weekend trips, summer family cookouts — here’s what I actually think about this smokeless fire pit and whether it’s worth $200.
Editor’s PickSolo Stove Ranger 2.0 Smokeless Fire Pit
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 |
| Diameter | 15 inches |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
| Material | 304 stainless steel |
| Fuel | Wood (sticks, small split logs) |
| Burn Time | Feed every 15-20 minutes |
| Heat Range | 4-5 feet effective |
| Ash Pan | Removable (new in 2.0) |
| Best For | 2-4 people, portable campfire |
Check out Meanderin’ Mitch’s field review of the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0:
The Ranger 2.0 uses a double-wall airflow system that virtually eliminates smoke once the fire is established. Cold air enters through vents at the bottom, travels up between the inner and outer walls, gets heated, and exits through holes at the top. This secondary combustion burns off the smoke before it reaches you.
Does it work? Yeah, about 90% of the time. Once the fire is established and burning hot, there’s virtually no smoke. The first 5-10 minutes while it’s getting going? You’ll get some smoke. And if you load wet wood, all bets are off — physics is physics, and no fire pit design eliminates smoke from wet fuel.
But on dry hardwood (which is all I burn at the cabin), it’s borderline magical. My wife actually sits by the fire now instead of relocating every time the wind shifts. That alone was worth the price.
Key takeaway: The smokeless design genuinely works on dry wood. Expect light smoke during startup and with wet fuel.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Virtually smokeless once established | Small firebox requires frequent feeding (every 15-20 min) |
| Lightweight and portable (15 lbs) | Hot ash pan must cool before handling |
| 304 stainless steel — built to last | $200 is steep for a 15-inch fire pit |
| Removable ash pan (improved in 2.0) | Not ideal for large groups (6+ people) |
| No smoke smell on clothes | Some smoke during startup (5-10 min) |
| Works as emergency heat source | Needs dry wood to perform well |
| Allowed in many fire-restricted areas | Small cooking surface |
Key takeaway: The pros outweigh the cons for small groups and portable use. The main tradeoff is the small firebox size.
At 15 inches in diameter, the Ranger 2.0 is a portable camp fire pit, not a backyard centerpiece. You’re feeding it sticks and small split logs, not full-size firewood. That’s both the strength and the limitation.
Weight: 15 pounds. Easy to toss in the truck for a camping trip or move around the property. I keep it on the patio at the cabin and bring it to the fire ring area when we want a different spot.
The portability makes it a solid option for your car camping gear checklist — it fits in the bed of any truck and adds genuine campfire ambiance without the smoke problems.
Key takeaway: Genuinely portable at 15 lbs, but the small firebox means constant feeding.
We use this thing constantly from September through April. Here’s what a typical night looks like:
Fill the bottom with some kindling and a few small splits. Light it. Wait about 10 minutes for the secondary combustion to kick in. Then just keep feeding it small pieces of hardwood.
The heat output is solid for a fire pit this size. You can feel it 4-5 feet away. Not enough to heat a large group on a cold night — if it’s 25 degrees F and you’ve got 8 people around it, the folks in the back row aren’t getting much. But for 2-4 people sitting close? It’s great. We’ve sat around it in January at the cabin, ice fishing during the day and fires at night.
Cooking: Solo Stove sells a grill top and a hub accessory. I’ve used the basic grill to cook burgers and hot dogs over it. Works fine for casual cooking. It’s not replacing a Camp Chef for real camp meals, but for roasting stuff over open flame, it does the job. Check out our camp kitchen setup guide for a full cooking system.
Key takeaway: Works best for small groups of 2-4 people. Great heat output for its size but not a large-group fire pit.
Here’s something most reviews skip: the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is a legitimate emergency heat and morale tool. I’ve done enough storm work as a mutual aid electrical worker to know that when the power goes out for days, people get cold and miserable fast.
A contained, efficient fire pit that burns free fuel (wood) and doesn’t require propane or electricity is a real asset in a grid-down scenario. The enclosed design makes it safer than an open fire, and the stainless steel construction means it’ll outlast most other gear in your kit.
Pair it with a portable power station for electricity and you’ve got heat and power covered without relying on the grid.
Key takeaway: Beyond campfire ambiance, the Ranger 2.0 doubles as an emergency heat source that runs on free fuel.
The ash pan situation. After the fire burns down, you’ve got a pan of hot ash at the bottom. You have to wait for it to cool completely before dealing with it. On a cold night when you’re done and want to go inside, that means either leaving it out overnight or waiting an hour. Minor annoyance, but worth mentioning.
Small firebox means constant feeding. I said it already, but it bears repeating. If you want to have a beer and zone out watching the fire without getting up every 15 minutes, this isn’t the move.
Price: $199.99 for a 15-inch fire pit is steep when you can get a basic steel fire bowl for $40. You’re paying for the smokeless tech and the stainless steel build quality. Worth it to me, but I understand the sticker shock.
Not great for large groups. At the cabin when both families are there — that’s 6-8 adults plus kids — the Ranger 2.0 is too small. We use the in-ground fire ring for those nights and save the Solo Stove for smaller groups.
The 2.0 added a removable ash pan and improved airflow. If you’re buying new, get the 2.0. If you find an original Ranger used for $100, it’s still a great deal — the smokeless performance is nearly identical.
This review is based on a full year of personal use at the cabin in PA across all four seasons. We tested for smokeless performance, heat output, portability, build quality, and cooking capability. We also referenced Solo Stove’s official product specifications and cross-referenced with Outdoor Gear Lab’s independent testing methodology.
The Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is the best small portable fire pit you can buy. The smokeless design genuinely works, it’s built to last, and it’s light enough to take anywhere. It won’t replace a full-size fire pit for big gatherings, but for weeknight cabin fires and camping trips, it’s become one of my favorite pieces of outdoor gear.
Rating: 4.5/5 — The smokeless tech delivers. The only knocks are the small firebox and the price.
About 90% smokeless once the fire is established (after 5-10 minutes of startup). The double-wall airflow system creates secondary combustion that burns off smoke before it reaches you. Wet wood will still produce smoke — use dry hardwood for best results.
The main pros are virtually smokeless operation, excellent portability at 15 lbs, durable 304 stainless steel construction, and the removable ash pan. The main cons are the small firebox that requires feeding every 15-20 minutes, the $200 price tag, limited heat radius for large groups, and some smoke during startup.
If smoke-free fires matter to you, yes. The 304 stainless steel construction will last years, the smokeless design genuinely works, and the portability is unmatched. If you only make fires a few times a year and don’t mind smoke, a $40 steel fire bowl does the same basic job.
Yes, with the optional grill grate or hub accessory. It handles burgers, hot dogs, and pot heating well. It is not a replacement for a proper camp stove for meal prep — the firebox is small and heat control is limited. For serious camp cooking, pair it with a dedicated camp stove.
You’ll need to feed it small split logs or sticks every 15-20 minutes. There is no “load and forget” mode. The small firebox is the tradeoff for portability. Plan to keep a pile of wood within arm’s reach.
Yes. It burns free fuel (wood), doesn’t require propane or electricity, provides heat and morale, and the contained design is safer than an open fire. The stainless steel construction means it’ll outlast most gear. Pair it with a water purification system and you can also boil water for safe drinking.
The Ranger (15 inches) is for 2-4 people and portable use. The Bonfire (19.5 inches) is for 4-8 people and more of a backyard centerpiece. If you want to take it camping or move it around, get the Ranger. If it’s staying in your backyard for group gatherings, get the Bonfire.