Choosing the right fire pit for your backyard is like finding the perfect chair. Comfort is key, and size definitely matters. If you’re deciding between the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon, consider what’s important for you.
The Bonfire is great if you have a smaller space or are not looking to host a big crowd. It’s easy to move around, too, so you can change up your backyard look whenever you want.
The Yukon is the go-to for those big family gatherings or when you want to impress your friends with a serious fire. It’s bigger, so it needs more room and more wood, but it also means more heat and a longer burn time.
So, what’s it going to be? A cozy night with a few close friends or a big bash with a fire that’s sure to be the talk of the town? Let’s compare the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon, and make choosing as easy as enjoying the fire itself.
Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon – A Head to Head Comparison
| Solo Stove Bonfire | Solo Stove Yukon | |
| Height without stand | 15 inches | 17 inches |
| Height with stand | 16 inches | 18 inches |
| Diameter | 19.5 inches | 27 inches |
| Weight | 23 Ibs | 38 Ibs |
| Log size | Up to 24” in diameter | Up to 27” in diameter |
| Accessories | -Stainless steel fire pit -Stand -Shield | -Stainless steel fire pit -Stand -Flame coloring packs |
Think of the Solo Stove Bonfire and Yukon as being the Liam and Chris Hemsworth of the outdoor heating world. Both are excellent performers, but each has its own set of unique characteristics and strengths.
Both fire pits can be purchased in 5 different colors (the 2.0 models), and personalized with engraving. Each has a removable ash pan and can be adapted for wood pellets. Both can be adapted for cooking and fit the Solo Stove accessories. The only decision you need to make when comparing the Solo Stove Bonfire vs Yukon is size.
Solo Stove Bonfire
The Bonfire 2.0 is the best-selling fire pit from Solo Stove. It’s affordable, portable, and designed for those who want the versatility of taking their fire pit to the beach, or camping. At just over 20 pounds, it can be carried by one person and suits small groups to gather around.
Those Who Bought the Bonfire Said…
- I have a Yukon at home, and the Bonfire is for our vacation rental
- The Bonfire is great for 3-5 people to sit around
- Perfect size for the deck
- Wondering if I should have bought the Yukon instead to fit 16-inch firewood better below the secondary burn holes
- I have both the Bonfire and Yukon. One for home and one for portability.
- The bonfire is perfect for our small family of three
- The ability to move it around the yard and take it on trips is what sold us over the Yukon
- I wish I’d splurged on the Yukon
Solo Stove Yukon
The Yukon is the largest fire pit from Solo Stove. The Yukon is for you if you have a large patio or want to seat six or more people around the fire pit.
It’s the sheer size of this beast that sets it apart. You can chuck in larger logs without chopping them down—an absolute godsend for those who’d rather skip the effort. Moving around is heavier and harder, but not impossible on your own and easy with two people.
Those Who Bought the Yukon Said…
- It provides enough heat for 6-10 people to sit around
- Takes little kindling to light and burns hot and bright
- Highly recommend the heat deflector, as it increases the heat radius significantly
- Heat radius without the deflector varied between 5-8 feet (this could also depend on the amount and type of wood burned)
- Really efficient burn, our wood lasts a while
- I was wowed by my Bonfire and love my Yukon even more
- Hours of fun around the fire pit
- The airflow and burn is what really impressed me
The Winner is…
Solo Stove Yukon
The Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 Wins Over the Bonfire 2.0
The sheer size of the Yukon wins out over the Bonfire. What convinced us in the end was the number of user reviews that said they wished they’d bought the Yukon, or have both the bonfire and the Yukon. The Yukon is best for the backyard patio, given the size. If you like to travel, the Bonfire will be the best option. It fits better in motorhome and RV compartments and is easier to carry. It offers all the excellent smokeless fire pit features we’ve come to expect from Solo Stove.
What both Solo Stove Fire Pits have in Common
In my opinion, one of the best features is these stoves’ signature 360-degree airflow. This advanced system pumps fresh air to the base of the fire while pushing heated oxygen to the top. This leads to a hotter, more efficient burn and a near absence of smoke.
304 Stainless Steel Construction
Let’s face it: not all fire pits are created equal. That’s why it’s important to note the Solo Stove Bonfire and Yukon are crafted from 304 stainless steel. The fire pits resist all sorts of weather while being a real heat-conducting champion. This is the same stuff they use for kitchen gadgets and high-tech highway structures. So, whether you’re roasting marshmallows or watching the flames dance, you can trust these stoves to handle the heat.
Signature 360-degree Airflow
Solo Stoves are designed to pull in air from all around at the bottom, which then gets heated up as it rises inside the double walls of the stove. As the warm air rises, it emerges from the holes at the top of the stove’s inner wall.
This does two things:
- It creates a second burn, which means it burns off the small particles of wood that would have turned into smoke.
- This airflow creates a convection system that feeds the fire consistently, keeping it hot and burning with less effort from you.
Think of it like a merry-go-round of air that keeps the fire alive and kicking from all angles, making your fire pit experience less about dodging smoke and more about enjoying the warmth. That’s the magic of the 360-degree Airflow Design in Solo Stoves.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison:
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to the nitty-gritty. We’re pitting the Solo Stove Bonfire against the Yukon, feature by feature. So buckle up, and let’s dive in, shall we?
Weight
The Yukon tips the scales at 38 pounds, which is nearly double the weight of the Bonfire, sitting pretty at 20 pounds. The Yukon isn’t super heavy to carry on your own, but it is big and awkward. It’s like giving your fire pit a giant bear hug to try and move it – unless you have the handle. Two people can move the Yukon with ease.
In contrast, the Bonfire is like a featherweight champ – easy to carry and even easier to set up. But hey, if you’ll be parking it in the backyard most of the time, the weight might not be a big deal.
Heat output Comparison
The Yukon wins over the Bonfire when it comes to heat output. The bigger the stove, the more wood you burn and the more heat you generate. It’s like going from a cozy campfire to a full-blown bonfire.
But remember, more heat means more wood, and more wood means more work. If you’re up for it, then kudos to you! If not, the Bonfire might be your speed, offering a more manageable heat output for those chill backyard get-togethers.
Log Size
The Solo Stove Bonfire and Yukon have been engineered to provide a superior, smoke-free burning experience, and when it comes to the size of logs, although they can comfortably hold a standard 16″ split log, the magic tends to happen with smaller logs.
The Bonfire works best with shorter logs. As you start building up a stack of blazing coals, it gets tricky to fit in a log under the rim of the fire pit. You need to keep the logs below the air holes for a smokeless burn.
The larger diameter of the Yukon makes fitting different-sized logs much easier, making the Yukon our pick.
Price and Accessories
With the Yukon being almost twice as heavy as Bonfire, it comes with a price tag that’s almost twice as much. It doesn’t end there, either. You’ll pay $40-$60 more for each accessory you want, such as the stand, heat deflector, pellet adapter, cooking hub etc. So, if you’re on a limited budget, you’ll get more for your money with the Bonfire.
If you like cooking on your fire pit, the Yukon wins again though – and coincidently, the cast iron wok, grill, and griddle tops are the same price between the bonfire vs Yukon. They are also the same size.
Choosing a Solo Stove Based on the Situation
Whether a Bonfire or a Yukon is right for you largely depends on where you plan on setting it up. If you’re one of those adventurous folks who takes every chance to venture outdoors, then the more portable Bonfire would be your best bet.
On the flip side, if you’re all about creating an inviting, cozy backyard oasis for your friends and family, the larger, more powerful Yukon will fit that bill.
Which is better for cooking?
The size of the cast iron cooking plates is the same between the Bonfire vs Yukon Solo Stoves. I was really surprised to find this! As you can see from the image above, the griddle size looks larger than the fire pit itself when placed over the Bonfire. There are pros and cons to this:
- You could hang utensils off the handles more easily on the Bonfire
- The Yukon is likely to heat the whole griddle better
Which is better for camping?
The Bonfire is the champion of the campsite. It’s compact but still packs a punch in the heat department. You can take it on a tailgate or beach adventure, too. The Yukon can also travel, but we think it’s too big for regular camping trips.
Which is better for the backyard?
So you want to set the mood in your backyard, right? Maybe toast some marshmallows or grill up a steak? Well, both the Bonfire and Yukon come in handy. But let me tell you, if you’re hosting a neighborhood BBQ, Yukon is your guy. It’s bigger, and its cooking surface is like a king-size bed for your meat. But, if it’s just you and the missus, the Bonfire will do the job.
Which is better for the Beach?
If you’re a beach bum like me, you must consider several things. First, you need something that can handle sand, wind, and maybe a rogue seagull. Both the Bonfire and Yukon are tough cookies, so no worries there. And if you’re beach cooking for your buddies, the Yukon has plenty of space to grill up a storm. But if it’s a quiet beach date, the Bonfire would be more your speed. Plus, it’s easier to carry across the sand.
The Bonfire is perfect for…
The Bonfire is a pretty sweet deal. It’s perfect for almost any place you fancy a fire pit. Like your backyard deck or patio for a chilled-out evening. And when feeling the wanderlust, you can take it to a campsite or beach. It’s even pretty good for a tailgate party.
The Yukon is perfect for…
The Solo Stove Yukon is pretty much the go-to guy for your backyard antics. Set it up in the middle of your patio, and presto! But let me tell you, it’s not just about the looks. The Yukon is a workhorse and a pretty good one at that.
Other Buying Considerations
Considering a fire pit purchase means more than picking the biggest or the shiniest option on the menu. There are many things to keep in mind to avoid buyer’s remorse and ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. So, let’s dive into some of these important aspects, shall we?
Bigger means burns more logs
Size matters, folks, especially regarding the Solo Stove Yukon. The bigger size makes this bad boy capable of holding more wood and dishing out a bigger fire. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility, or in this case, the need to keep the Yukon well-fed with logs. You might need to shell out more on firewood than you would for the smaller equivalents. Just remember, this baby must be kept hot to run smokelessly.
Accessories available
If you like to accessorize, Solo’s got you covered. You can find everything from ash screens for safety, cooktops for that outdoor burger feast, or even flame coloring packs to turn your backyard fires into a psychedelic light show!
What’s in the box
Anticipation is half the fun when you’re unboxing a new purchase, isn’t it? The Solo Stove Yukon 2 pulls no punches here. You’re greeted with a behemoth fire pit, all 27 inches of it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Solo Stove is best?
The Solo Stove Bonfire is the best-selling fire pit for its price, portability, accessories and color choices. The Yukon is the better choice for a more permanent fire pit in your backyard or larger groups.
What kind of Wood do you use in Solo Stoves?
Hardwood is the best-burning wood for Solo Stoves. Oak or hickory are the top contenders. They burn longer and hotter. But here’s the kicker – it has to be dry. You will have a bad time if that wood isn’t seasoned (air-dried for a few months) or kiln-dried.
Do you need the stand for Bonfire or Yukon?
You need the stand for the Bonfire or Yukon fire pits if you plan on using them on grass, a deck, or patio. The stand provides extra airflow and clearance height to stop the surface under the fire pit from burning.
Can you use a Solo Stove on a wood or composite deck?
You can use a solo stove on a wood or composite deck with caution. Use the stand, elevate the fire pit, and use a fire-resistant mat underneath to protect your decking. Never leave your fire pit unattended and burn only as long as necessary, fully extinguishing the flames when you are done.
Can the Bonfire or Yukon be enclosed in stone patio blocks?
Yes, the Bonfire and Yukon can both be built around. You must leave three to six inches of space between the fire pit walls and surround. However, you can now buy a fire pit surround to match your Solo Stove and save the effort.
What Will You Buy – The Bonfire or Yukon? Or Both?
We hope we’ve helped you decide between Bonfire 2.0 vs Yukon 2.0. To recap, the Bonfire is excellent for smaller gatherings, while the Yukon is perfect for larger groups and a permanent placement in the backyard. Both offer the same 304 stainless steel construction and efficient burn that looks more like a jet flame than a campfire.
While you’ll have to dig deeper into your pockets for a Solo Stove, you’re paying for quality and a lifetime warranty. That’s years of hangouts, chat sessions, and roasted marshmallows. In the comments below, let us know which Solo Stove you chose and why!