For those of you who have essentially zero lots and no land, what do you recommend? If I had land I would just build one.

I am intrigued by the solo stoves as I sat around one the other night. They are a bit pricey but worked great and put off a ton of heat. They can also be used on a concrete deck.

How do they compare heat wise to a propane fire pit of around 50,000 BTU?

I was considering the solo stove yukon vs something like this.

The solo stoves are pretty slick, but definitely expensive

The bonfire size is plenty big for 6-8 folks. Puts off a good amount of heat above the fire ring, practically nothing below it. I use mine with the spacer ring on my ipe deck without issues. The pit below the fire level will be as cold as the night air.

I have a small backyard too. I am in the process of building a fire pit with limestone block. I'll let you know if I burn down my house this fall.

Have one of these for my back porch and beach house.

For my porch, I converted to natural gas and hooked up to my gas grill stub coming off the house.

Really gets hot once the rocks are heated.

https://outlandliving.com/products/cypress-fire-pit

We've got the Solo Stove Bonfire. Love it. Have to cut logs a little smaller than "standard", atleast until the fire's going. Get the stand (spacer ring), tools, and cover.

I built one - after lots of investigation - with landscape blocks from HD, a 30" tank end, Stainless burner (24" I think), high output propane regulator (fish fryer), control package (valve and key), lava rocks, and concrete logs. I can get about 4 hours out of a propane tank if I don't try to heat the whole neighborhood. If you have a propane line or natural gas line it would be more convenient, but mine is on a concrete pad at my lake house near the water.

I was surprised at what it cost me: ~$350 for blocks (4 courses, the big trapezoid ones), tank end was around $100, ~$100 for burner, another $100 for hoses, regulator and fittings, control was maybe $50. Lava rocks are cheap and I have a friend in the propane business who got me damaged/surplus fireplace logs.

It was pretty easy to build and I wanted one that put out some heat/fire. I didn't want glass rocks and a flickering flame. I can heat a 10'x10' pad with 6 chairs around it in an open area pretty easily. If you have a small patio you can use smaller blocks and a smaller burner ring. I still would use a HO regulator.

I'll be happy to answer any questions. There is plenty of info on the 'net.

We just had one built. My wife doesn't like to be cold...so 285,000 BTU. Now that's a fire!

Sodadude said:

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We just had one built. My wife doesn't like to be cold...so 285,000 BTU. Now that's a fire!

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That is a fire. With my HO regulator and burner ring I think I can only safely get to 120K-150K.

I know some people like a "real" fire. But I don't like to have to get wood or clean up or wait for the fire to get going or burn down. Gas is the way to go!

I had borrowed a buddy's solo Bonfire earlier this year to roast marshmallows on for the kids and then to dispose of a bunch of old firewood behind th garage that was starting to rot. It's great and lives up to its billing.

My wife bought me one for Christmas and we've already used it a few times. It gets going easily burns hot and clean and burns your wood down to nothing. This fall I burned through probably 1/2 cord of wood and had probably less than a pint of ashes left.

Build one in the yard. $90 of pea gravel, $20 worth of paving stones from Lowe's, voila.

We set one up in my In-laws back yard. Though a little more simple, this in is an old tractor wheel off a 4850 with some paver blocks around it.

My brother in law has the solo and it's pretty awesome. Once it gets rolling and the smoke subsides, it's a joy to be around. But 4 adults around his us about all that is realistic.

We bought a Breeo. Similar combustion to Solo. Breeo is American made and you can add a grate or use the rim to cook on. Solid construction and burns hot.

I built one like this from cedar logs from my ranch! Bought the swings in Hunt, TX on the side of the road along the river between Ingram-Moore HS and the general store in Hunt! Great quality

Anyone know where I can get one of these? I believe it's some kind of steel cap used in the oil field industry. ~36 inches across. Won't burn out the bottom like the store bought options.

I have a Solo Bonfire that I use on a wood deck with a protective mat underneath. With the base and the mat I don't worry about it getting too hot, but I am diligent about watching and dousing when done. It's not nearly as smokeless as advertised while getting hot. After it gets going it does much better. It does put out a lot of heat. It's pricey, especially with tools, sticks etc but how can you put a price on roasting marshmallows with the kids?

SPF250 said:

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I have a Solo Bonfire that I use on a wood deck with a protective mat underneath. With the base and the mat I don't worry about it getting too hot, but I am diligent about watching and dousing when done. It's not nearly as smokeless as advertised while getting hot. After it gets going it does much better. It does put out a lot of heat. It's pricey, especially with tools, sticks etc but how can you put a price on roasting marshmallows with the kids?

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Are you cutting your logs done so they fit under the air holes at the top? I didn't for a couple seasons and logs that stuck out above the air holes smoked. I cut down a bunch this season and there is basically zero smoke. Much more enjoyable fife pit.

This is a really neat design that I intend to do. Metal bands w rocks and sand on top.

Bought this one. Really happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R8LKMAM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_0tx1FbEHP6EDG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I picked up a big cast iron pot used for 50 bucks. It's about 27 inches in diameter. Plan was to turn it into a big fish fryer. I noticed a two inch hairline crack and decided no to that idea. Turned it into a fire pit and it works great. A friend said I needed to drill holes in the bottom. Wrong. It heats a big area way better than stone surrounded pits do. The tank end pit someone posted works good Too but I like a deeper pit that holds hot coals and radiates heat.

Here's mine.

If you want tank ends to build your own, there is a guy in Whitehouse Tx that sells them.

https://easttexas.craigslist.org/grd/d/whitehouse-fire-pit-tank-ends/7238039001.html

swampstander said:

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I picked up a big cast iron pot used for 50 bucks. It's about 27 inches in diameter. Plan was to turn it into a big fish fryer. I noticed a two inch hairline crack and decided no to that idea. Turned it into a fire pit and it works great. A friend said I needed to drill holes in the bottom. Wrong. It heats a big area way better than stone surrounded pits do. The tank end pit someone posted works good Too but I like a deeper pit that holds hot coals and radiates heat.

Here's mine.

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Thats awesome, Where did you get your grill? I bought a stainless steel one and noticed it bends when it gets hot, then when it cools it goes back to a normal shape.

jsdaltxag said:

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swampstander said:

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I picked up a big cast iron pot used for 50 bucks. It's about 27 inches in diameter. Plan was to turn it into a big fish fryer. I noticed a two inch hairline crack and decided no to that idea. Turned it into a fire pit and it works great. A friend said I needed to drill holes in the bottom. Wrong. It heats a big area way better than stone surrounded pits do. The tank end pit someone posted works good Too but I like a deeper pit that holds hot coals and radiates heat.

Here's mine.

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Thats awesome, Where did you get your grill? I bought a stainless steel one and noticed it bends when it gets hot, then when it cools it goes back to a normal shape.

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I welded that up with 1in solid bar. There is no warping from heat.

Bucees - $400 but well built

BuffaloREV said:

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Bucees - $400 but well built

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Bought that one last week, so far so good! Just keep covered/out of rain

Obviously will have an effect over time but it's been out in the yard uncovered for a year with no rust - really nice

I just got a Tiki fire pit last week. It's a little expensive, but it had good reviews, it's a bit bigger than the Solo Stove, and cheaper than Breeo.

https://www.tikibrand.com/fire-pit

I've used it twice so far and have enjoyed it. Make sure to sign up for their mailing list for 10 or 15% off your first order if you do end up going that route.

Washing machine basket with legs welded on. It's pretty cool actually.

agfan2013 said:

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Build one in the yard. $90 of pea gravel, $20 worth of paving stones from Lowe's, voila.

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Yup, that's what we did. I love it. Put a camp tripod grill over it and cook on it all the time with oak and apple wood and mesquite.