Why You Should Never Use a Solo Stove Under Covered Patios

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The Solo Stove is a very popular portable fire pit designed with efficient airflow. This doesn’t mean they can be placed anywhere without proper guidance.

As a general rule, you should never use a wood-burning fire pit such as the solo stove under covered patios due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Solo Stove recommend keeping a distance of 15 to 20 feet above your fire pit clear. This is well above most standard covered patio heights.

The solo stove should also be placed at least 6 feet away from the house, light fixtures, deck railings or fencing.

By following these simple tips, you can be sure to enjoy your Solo Stove for many years to come!

While nothing beats sitting comfortably around a fire with friends and family, safety should still be your top priority. This is especially true for situations involving fire, which carries many inherent risks.

We’ve explained the safety regulations and offer further safety advice in the article below.

Can You Use Solo Stove Under Covered Patios?

A Solo Stove works like a portable fire pit, except it does not produce smoke. Neither does the appliance send sparks flying, as it neatly controls the fire.

It poses a minimal fire hazard if you are really careful about using it. Still, it is only natural for you to wonder, can you use Solo Stove under covered patios?

This is a point of discussion that has many homeowners debating. That said, we highly recommend not using it under a covered patio or porch.

If not for the fire hazard, it is for the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Remember that wood or coal fires and gasoline engines produce this and other chemicals as byproducts of combustion. If you inhale it, it will displace the oxygen in your blood, depriving your vital organs of oxygen.

Eventually, you will lose consciousness and possibly suffocate. Airflow in a patio is indeed better than inside the house, especially if it is open on three sides. Nevertheless, it is not the same as the great outdoors.

While the risk is not high, it is still there. There are other compelling reasons why you should not use your Solo Stove under a covered patio.

We will be discussing all of them at length in the next section, but if you intend to enjoy a fire on your patio, make sure that you set it up properly.

Consider the New Mesa Table Top Solo Stove for Patio Use

This short video shows the new Mesa table top fire pit from Solo Stove. It is easy to use, and Solo Stove show it being used on a table under a covered patio in a video on their website. There’s no official information available on the distance required above the Mesa (yet), so please err on the side of caution and use in a well ventilated area to avoid any health risks.

Why You Should Not Set Up Your Larger Solo Stove Under Covered Patio

As mentioned above, it is not a good idea to set up your Solo Stove under a covered patio for the reasons discussed below. If you still want to use it, keep in mind all the risks you will be facing to manage them better.

It’s a Fire Hazard

Your patio is full of items that could easily catch fire, like chair cushions, wooden ornaments, and plants. All it takes is one small mistake to start an uncontrollable blaze.

To give you a better idea, a Solo Stove can quickly reach a temperature of 1000°F. It won’t have any problem igniting things that come into contact with it.

That’s why you must keep the Solo Stove at least six feet away from any structure when using it.

If your patio awning is made from flammable material like canvas, you are also inviting trouble. In this case, your canopy roof must have a clearance of at least 20 feet for it to be safe from your Solo Stove.

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You Could Get Injured

Aside from the fire hazard, there is also the risk of getting burn injuries. If you have pets or very active kids at home, they might touch the side of the Solo Stove and get hurt.

What is more, a patio normally has heavy foot traffic. People pass through it to get in and out of the house.

They could come into contact with the side of the Solo Stove, especially if the space they have to navigate is narrow.

The good thing is that the side of a Solo Stove has double walls, so there is some form of protection against severe burns. Still, you could get hurt if you touch it inadvertently.

It Might Get Knocked Over

Since the patio is normally a busy area, there is also a high risk that someone might bump the Solo Stove. If you are entertaining and there are alcoholic drinks involved, the risk is even higher.

Again, the risk might be low, especially if you are aware of the dangers involved and are being careful. However, there is no telling what will happen if someone in your group becomes tipsy.

The more prudent thing to do is eliminate the threat altogether and avoid using your Solo Stove in this area.

Toxic Fumes Can Build Up (Without You Realizing)

As mentioned in the previous section, a fire can generate carbon monoxide, which is harmful on its own. In addition, it could produce small amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other toxic byproducts.

It should not cause any problem in an open space, as the natural ventilation in the area can easily dissipate these chemicals. However, a patio is a different story.

There are physical obstructions that could disrupt airflow, limiting the beneficial effects of good ventilation.

If enough of these airborne substances accumulate, people close enough to the fire might inhale some of them. This could lead to a host of health problems.

The Wind Can Be Unpredictable

Ventilation is your friend when setting up a fire pit in a semi-enclosed area, but a sudden gust of wind is equally harmful. It could bounce off the wall of your house or the cover of your patio.

In other words, its behavior can be unpredictable.

With the right (or in this case, wrong) conditions, the wind might blow small pieces of live coal out of the stove. When this happens, there is a good chance that it will land on a flammable surface or object and start a fire.

At the very least, you would get burn marks on your patio chair or other areas.

Where Can You Use Your Solo Stove?

Again, the best place to set up your Solo Stove is outdoors, with a clearance of at least six feet from your house. In addition, it must be 15 to 20 feet away from tree branches, your patio roof, and other similar obstructions.

While this sounds like a lot of limitations, there is some good news.

With the right precautions, there are other places close to your house where you can safely set up a Solo Stove. For instance, if you have a wooden deck, you probably love spending time on it.

Make it even more inviting by setting up your Solo Stove on it. Solo stove make a stand that allows you to use their portable fire pit on timber and composite decking. They are available in 4 sizes, depending on the size of your solo stove.

Solo Stove Stand

With the Solo Stove stand, you can safely use the solo stove on open timber and composite decking without needing to place anything else underneath it. The Solo Stove Stand is available in 4 sizes depending on the size of your fire pit. They are:

  • Ranger – 13 inches
  • Bonfire – 17 inches
  • Yukon – 26.75 inches
  • Yukon – 27 inches

You could also try placing a heat-resistant barrier between the deck and the portable fire pit. The key is to create some space or boundary that will dissipate the heat that would radiate downwards into the deck.

Of course, you also need to make sure that it is at least six feet away from the nearest outer wall of your house. There should also be at least 20 feet of clearance from flammable obstructions like a deck shade, or umbrella.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using the Solo Stove

can you use a solo stove under covered patio
image via solostove.com

Can You Use a Solo Stove in a Covered Area?

A solo stove should never be used in a covered area, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Solo stoves require at least 15 to 20 feet clearance height above them, and should be placed at least 6 feet away from any structures.

What Surfaces Can You Put a Solo Stove on?

Solo stoves can be placed on most surfaces including concrete, stone, pavers, gravel and dirt. A stand should be used when placing the solo stove on other surfaces to protect from heat and the potential to catch fire.

Can You Put a Solo Stove on an Outdoor Rug?

A solo stove should not be placed on an outdoor rug. Most outdoor rugs are made of polypropylene (plastic), which is likely to burn, melt or catch fire.

Using Your Solo Stove the Right Way

A Solo Stove will make a great addition to your backyard, whether or not you love to host parties and gatherings. It can offer a comforting warmth and smoky smell that enhances your outdoor experience.

Just make sure that you use and install it properly, as any device that involves fire has inherent risks.

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