Does Solo Stove’s new protective barrier add or detract from the firepit experience?
Solo Stove Fire Pit Surround
Pros
-
Useful
-
Doesn’t get hot
-
Adjustable
Cons
-
Cover is extra cost
-
Visible seams
-
Can’t sit on the table
-
When it comes to firepits, Solo Stove makes some of the hottest burning units, easily breaking 1,000?F. While that’s great for warmth, it can be problematic for probing hands and wagging tails. The Solo Stove Fire Pit Surround (available at Solo Stove) , a new accessory exclusively for Solo Stove firepits, attempts to mitigate that problem by adding a stylish, protective barrier around the outside of the firepit.
But does it actually accomplish what it’s supposed to do? With a few quirks, yes. Read on to learn more.
About the Solo Stove Surround
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
The Surround comes in two sizes and is relatively easy to set up.
- Height: 20 in. (small); 20.5 in. (large)
- Outer Diameter: 42 in. (small); 52.6 in. (large)
- Inner Diameter: 21.6 in. (small); 32 in. (large)
- Weight: 46 lbs. (20.9 kg) (small); 65 lbs. (29.5 kg) (large)
- Shelf Width: 7 in. (both sizes)
- Materials: Powder-coated steel, UV resistant, and fire-resistant 600D polyester outdoor fabric
- Features: 360? protective barrier, perforated tabletop shelf, adjustable feet; shelter cover available for purchase separately.
The Solo Stove Surround is available in two sizes: Small (made to fit the Bonfire and Ranger), and large (made to fit the Yukon and Canyon models).
Testing the large model was fairly easy, and I got off on the right foot, having no issues following the included instructions as I configured the table. Taking 15 minutes and two people, the build process was simple and straightforward. (Pro tip: It’s helpful to have a second set of hands for screwing in the pieces and sliding the fabric coverings into place.) Each leg can be adjusted to make sure it sits level on your surface.
After you lower the stove into the center of the table, it’s ready to use! If you have a Solo Stove firepit stand, you won’t need to use it when using the Surround; the Surround elevates the firepit anywhere from 4.3 inches to 6.7 inches off the ground, depending on your model. We built several fires in the firepit as it sat in Surround, both during the heat of the day and at night.
The big question on our mind during testing was whether the protective barrier would enhance the firepit experience, or if it would detract from it.
What we like
It looks great without limiting portability
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
This is a good-looking, handy firepit enhancement.
We loved the look of the Surround from the moment we set it up, but we were even more thrilled when we realized that it’s not permanent. The unit looks like a purposeful, built-in enclosure, but the firepit sits on top of the support brackets without requiring any clips or clamps. When the firepit is cool enough to handle, you can conveniently remove it to take on your next camping trip.
You can pluck it out with your hands, but a Solo Stove Handle makes the process even easier.
The tabletop doesn’t get hot
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
Drinks stay cold on the 7-inch shelf surrounding the pit.
The Surround was not only effective in protecting us from accidental burns, but it also created a useful table around the fire. The Surround has a 7-inch shelf made from perforated steel that runs along the exterior of the unit, with an angled inner bezel to keep drinks from toppling over into the space between the shelf and the firepit. The shelf didn’t heat up and our drinks stayed cold to the touch.
However, the bezel did get a little warm after extended use, although not hot enough to cause concern.
It doesn’t limit Solo Stove’s accessories
If you’re a Solo Stove fan, you’ve probably accumulated several accessories over the years. The Surround is designed to promote safety without detracting from the Solo Stove’s use, so you can still use your cooktop or Pi Fire pizza attachment while the Solo Stove is inside the table. The only accessory that’s cause for caution is the Heat Deflector, which is designed to redirect heat outward and create an increased warmth radius.
We didn’t test these two accessories together, but Solo Stove advises to use the longer leg setting. They also warn that the tabletop’s surface temperature may be increased during use.
It has adjustable feet
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
Adjustable feet make the Surround a dream for any outdoor surface.
There’s nothing worse than an uneven table, wobbling about as one set of legs finds itself on higher ground than the other. Luckily, you’ll never experience this issue with the Surround.
It’s designed for use on any outdoor surface–concrete, wooden decks, grass, or gravel–level or not. Each foot has an adjustable threaded insert that can be twisted to increase or decrease the leg’s height.
What we don’t like
You can’t sit on the table
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
While drinks can sit on the tabletop, humans definitely should not.
The tabletop shelves around the Surround are made from perforated steel, allowing heat to flow through the unit and surround the firepit so it can perform with its signature 360? airflow design. While we were stoked that they stay cool enough to hold food and drinks, they’re not rated for anyone to sit, stand, or lean on the shelves.
They’re rated to hold 22 pounds of weight, and Solo Stove cautions against dropping or throwing anything onto the unit. It goes without saying that sitting on the shelves to have a conversation with a friend could potentially lead to a disastrous situation where the firepit might topple over. Make sure your guests know to steer clear from using the Surround as a seat.
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You can see the seams
While we love the sleek look of the Surround, we wish the seams were a little less obvious.
The screws that connect the four semi-circle arcs are hidden, but the shelf has four junctures where they come together. If the shelf was one contiguous piece, it’d make for a cleaner overall look.
The cover is an additional cost
Solo Stove says the powder-coated steel used on the tabletop is UV resistant, so it should hold up okay uncovered in your backyard. That said, it could be damaged by prolonged exposure to standing water, snow, or ice.
The water-resistant Shelter cover snugly covers your Surround (and the firepit sitting inside it), but it has to be purchased separately.
Warranty
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
The warranty is decent.
Solo Stove products carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and a 100% guaranteed return policy. If the damage is determined to be caused by normal wear and tear, Solo Stove often extends a one-time courtesy offer of 50% off MSRP prices (excluding web specials).
Should you buy the Solo Stove Surround?
Yes, this is a fantastic accessory to add to any Solo Stove firepit
Credit: Reviewed / Lindsay Mattison
The Surround is a great marriage of safety, practicality, and aesthetics.
There was so much to love about the Solo Stove Surround. It not only increases the safety of sitting around the firepit, but it also looks really good doing it.
The unit transformed our Yukon from a stainless steel unit in the middle of our backyard to an intentional fixture, and we loved having a shelf to put our beers and s’mores ingredients as we enjoyed the fire. The biggest selling point here was that the Surround doesn’t limit our ability to use accessories we’ve already purchased, and it doesn’t prohibit us from removing the firepit when we go to the beach or out camping. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Solo Stove Fire Pit Surround
Pros
-
Useful
-
Doesn’t get hot
-
Adjustable
Cons
-
Cover is extra cost
-
Visible seams
-
Can’t sit on the table
-
