• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mad Backyard

menu icon
go to homepage
  • BBQ
  • Lawn
  • Patio
  • About
  • Shop
  • Pool
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • BBQ
    • Lawn
    • Patio
    • About
    • Shop
    • Pool
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Fire Pits

    Published: Jan 10, 2022 · Modified: Mar 5, 2024 by Mads Martigan · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    How To Light A Solo Stove: Easy Step by Step

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Learn the best techniques for how to light a Solo Stove. Whether you have a Bonfire, Yukon, Ranger, or Camp Stove, we've got you covered.

    Let's Go!

    Lit Solo Stove on top of a fireproof mat on concrete by a pool

    The Solo Stove has become a revelation and an innovation in fire pits, and it's easy to see why.

    This stainless steel stove is good-looking and robust and brings the versatility of cooking and warming in a compact, sleek design, but how do you light one?

    Lighting the Solo Stove Bonfire requires some small sticks to get the fire going and then adding to them as they burn to build up the fire.

    You can stack the logs inside the fire pit in a pyramid-style configuration to not cover the air vents found at the bottom of the fire pit.

    With the Solo Stove, there are some additional steps to take before lighting it up, so let's look at some more detail and some wood recommendations to get the best out of your Solo Stove Bonfire.

    Make sure you have a good set of heat resistant gloves before you get started, as the Solo Stove can get very hot. These gloves go up to 1472°F!

    GRILL HEAT AID BBQ Gloves Heat Resistant 1,472℉ Extreme. Dexterity in Kitchen to Handle Cooking Hot Food in Oven, Cast Iron, Pizza, Baking, Barbecue, Smoker & Camping. Fireproof Use for Men & Women
    GRILL HEAT AID BBQ Gloves Heat Resistant 1,472℉ Extreme to Handle Cooking Hot Food in Oven, Cast Iron, Pizza, Baking, Barbecue, Smoker & Camping. Fireproof
    • 🔥 INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE: Our mitts can be used for whatever wherever whether thats indoors keeping you safe while making your significant other by cooking them an intimate meal. This allows you to focus on cooking rather than worrying about hurting yourself. Which then makes your partner happy meaning you will be happy. The Gloves can also be used outside on the BBQ such as on 4th of July making sure your celebrations dont get cut short from burning yourse
    Check Price on Amazon

    Thinking about buying a new Solo Stove Fire Pit or Camp Stove? 

    Make sure to check out our Ultimate Comparison Guide to Solo Stoves first!

    Need help putting out your Solo Stove? Check out How to Put Out a Solo Stove the RIGHT Way for some helpful hints. A Solo Stove Lid is very useful for this!

    Solo Stove Bonfire Lid 304 Stainless Steel Bonfire Fire Pit Accessories for Outdoor Fire Pits and Camping Accessories
    Solo Stove Bonfire Lid 304 Stainless Steel Bonfire Fire Pit Accessories for Outdoor Fire Pits and Camping Accessories
    • 304 STAINLESS STEEL- Just like Bonfire, Lid is made with durable 304 stainless steel
    • PROTECT- Lid should not be used to snuff out a fire but to cover your warm fire pit at the end of a b
    Check Price on Amazon
    Jump to:
    • Place Your Solo Stove Bonfire On Level Ground Before Lighting
    • Video
    • Clear Away Debris Before Lighting Your Bonfire
    • Remove The Cooking Ring For Easy Stacking
    • Building Your Solo Stove Fire Base
    • The Best Woods To Use For The Solo Stove Bonfire
    • The Verdict

    Place Your Solo Stove Bonfire On Level Ground Before Lighting

    Before even thinking about lighting your Solo Stove Bonfire, find some level ground to place it on, preferably concrete or other fire-proof or fire-resistant surfaces, not grass.

    We place our Solo Stove on top of a protective mat.

    Fireproof Pros 36
    Fireproof Pros 36" Fire Pit Mat for Deck, Patio, Grass and Concrete. Thick Heat Resistant Deflector Fireproof Mat/Ember Mat. Firepit Protector, BBQ Mat for Large Fire Pit
    • 6x Thicker: It’s natural to wonder if a regular 1mm firepit mat has enough thickness to protect your grass, cobbles or timber. Afterall it seems really thin! And, in most cases you’d be right. But because we’re the original Fireproof Pros, our mats are always 6.0mm thick for pro fireproof protection!
    • 3 Layers - Blocks 95% of Heat! The top layer of our firepit pad is aluminium-fiberglass to reflect 95% of all searing heat. The middle layer is 5mm fiberglass infused cotton that diffuses the remaining 5%. And the bottom silicone coated layer works with the other 2 layers to prevent “scorched eart
    Check Price on Amazon

    Having your Bonfire level also allows you to use the Solo Stove Stand and boost the airflow from the bottom.

    Solo Stove Bonfire Stand Stainless Steel
    Check Price on Amazon

    The Solo Stove relies on its air vents to produce the fire pattern and warmth these products are famous for, so a level surface will allow good airflow.

    Plus, placing any fire on an uneven surface is inherently dangerous as it could quickly capsize, spilling burning fuel across the ground and increasing the risk of burn injuries to people around the fire, as well as creating secondary fires in the immediate vicinity.

    Video

    Rather WATCH than read? Check out our step-by-step YouTube video to see for yourself How we light a fire in our Solo Stove fire pit.

    Clear Away Debris Before Lighting Your Bonfire

    When lighting the Solo Stove Bonfire, it is always advisable to clear the area surrounding the fire of flammable debris like leaves, twigs, and dry grass.

    You can use these in your Bonfire to start if you like, but always clear the area before lighting the fire.

    While Solo Stoves are designed to burn cleanly and reduce ejecta from the fire, you never know, and tiny burning embers or bits of wood may be cast out of the fire as it starts to burn higher.

    If they land on dry grass or leaves, they could ignite them, and you'd be facing a much larger fire than you might have wanted, so be safe first before fun.

    We use a Solo Stove Shield and Screen on top of our solo stove to help prevent any embers from hitting people and pets.

    Solo Stove Bonfire Shield Stainless Steel Fire Pit Spark Protector Screen Mesh Protective Spark Screen for Backyard and Outdoor Fire Pits Hot Embers
    Solo Stove Bonfire Shield Stainless Steel Fire Pit Spark Protector Screen Mesh Protective Spark Screen for Backyard and Outdoor Fire Pits Hot Embers
    • SIMPLE & EASY TO USE DESIGN - Removable upper section of the shield is detachable and can be easily removed by itself, allowing you to add more wood to your fire pit without having to remove the entire fire pit accessory.
    • IMBEDDED GROOVES - The Shield grooves create a simple yet sturdy spot for your roasting sticks to rest while you sit around your Solo Stove fireplace.
    Check Price on Amazon

    The screen and shield are easily removable, but make sure to have a surface ready for the hot screen or shield, as heat could damage your concrete or grass. We use a large oil drip pan.

    LUMAX LX-1715 Silver 47
    LUMAX LX-1715 Silver 47" x 25" x ½" Galvanized Drip Pan Rust Resistant Keeps Garage, Driveways or Automotive Clean
    • Dimensions: 47” x 25” x ½” / 120 cm x 64 cm x 13 mm.Fit Type: Universal Fit
    • Rust resistant, Galvanized Sheet Metal Construction
    • Rugged, One-piece Heavy Gauge Mater
    Check Price on Amazon

    Remove The Cooking Ring For Easy Stacking

    The Solo Stove Bonfire has a steel cooking ring on the inside of the cylinder, and removing this before stacking your wood will make it easier to add the fuel and get it to the right 'build' before you light your Bonfire.

    Remove the ring and load the fuel as per the instructions below; then, once the fire is adequately stacked, you can replace the cooking ring before you light the fire.

    Building Your Solo Stove Fire Base

    Solo Stove themselves recommend the following method for all their stoves to produce an excellent firebase.

    the fire base of a solo stove

    Start with a layer of 2" to 3" chunk wood across the fire pit base, and then add some fire starter cubes, or just dry twigs, leaves, and pinecones in the center of the Stove to assist with getting the chunk wood base going.

    Once this is done, you move to the next stacking stage to get the clock face configuration for your Solo Stove Bonfire.

    Fire Starter Squares 160 - Fire Starter Pack for Chimney, Grill Pit, Fireplace, Campfire, BBQ & Smoker - Water Resistant and Odourless - Camping Accessories
    Fire Starter Squares 160
    • SAFE TO USE - Not a fan of lighter fluid or electric torch? Made of wax and sawdust, our safe, natural fire starters are completely odourless and don’t emit any off-putting smell.
    • BURN WHEN WET - Dont let rain put a damper on your good time! Our tumbleweed grill starter pack is weather-resistant and can burn for about 6 minutes even in damp conditio
    Check Price on Amazon

    The Clock Face Method for Lighting a Solo Stove Bonfire

    This structure is designed to bring heat from the Stove center to the outer walls, creating better heat for the secondary burn.

    adding wood into a solo stove using the clock method

    Once you have the chunk wood base set up and have added the kindling and dry tinder, you can then add more bits of chunk wood and leaves or twigs in a pyramid shape over the chunk wood base.

    If you need to cut some bigger logs into smaller kindling, we recommend using a Kindling Cracker.

    Kindling Cracker XL Kindling Cracker King Firewood Splitter - Kindling Splitter Wood Splitter Wood Splitting Wedge Manual Log Splitter Wedge

    This nifty accessory will help you make some more kindling out of your bigger logs in no time using nothing but a small mallet.

    Kindling Cracker King Firewood Splitter
    • A safe and easy way to make kindling with no moving blade or sharpened object passing by your hands
    • Splits firewood with less force than a standard axe
    Check Price on Amazon

    Now, add thicker pieces of either hardwood or more chunk wood in a clock face position and let them stack up into that pyramid shape over the first base layer.

    Once you ignite this, the flame will evolve into an intense burn and produce good heat and a good flame.

    The Best Woods To Use For The Solo Stove Bonfire

    Many people believe that you can use any wood for your Solo Stove Bonfire, and theoretically, this is true.

    However, as more companies examine the better fuel options for the products, many recommend certain woods over others, and Solo Stove is no different.

    wood burning in a solo stove

    So, here are some super simple tips on the best wood to use in your Stove.

    Find And Use Dry Wood Wherever Possible

    Yes, this seems like common sense, but some people will use wet wood, which leads to a lot of smoke and the fire taking longer to get going and to burn hot.

    Wet wood is not ideal when it burns; the water is released as steam, increasing the risk of corrosion.

    Use Hardwoods Whenever You Can

    Hardwoods are the best fuel to use in a Solo Stove Bonfire as they burn hotter for longer and produce great charcoal if you are going to cook food on the Stove at some point.

    Woods like maple, oak, hickory, and birch are the best to use as they burn longer than softwoods.

    Also, hardwoods produce much less soot buildup, making the Stove easier to clean afterward.

    Solo Stove Oak Firewood for Outdoor Wood Burning Fire Pits
    • OAK FIREWOOD: Our Oak firewood burns clean and produces a mild, earthy aroma for that classic campfire feeling.
    • BURNS HOTTER AND LONGER: It is dense and contains more organic matter than other firewoods, allowing you to achieve a hotter fire to last throughout the night.
    • KILN DRIED: Our Oak firewood is kiln-dried and sustainably sourced from well-managed forests.
    Check Price on Amazon

    The Verdict

    Starting a fire in your Solo Stove Bonfire is pretty straightforward but slightly different from a conventional fire pit.

    By following some essential steps and precautions, this process will become second nature over time and give your consistent quality burns from your Bonfire.

    Now break out the S'mores supplies and get to enjoying your fire pit!

    Solo stove burning on concrete by pool
    Solo Stove Roasting Sticks and Fire Pit Poker - Firewood Accessories for Outdoor and RV Fire Pits
    Solo Stove Roasting Sticks and Fire Pit Poker
    • FIRE PIT TOOLS - The log poker and log grabber are made with a unique angle that allows you to stoke the flame and add logs from a safe distance.
    • ROASTING STICKS - For roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, and anything else you can skewer to cook over an open flame. Durable, functional, and crafted with Solo Stoves unmistakable design, our roasting sticks twist apart in the middle and include a carry case for easy stora
    Check Price on Amazon
    lit solo stove on concrete in front of a pool

    How to Light a Solo Stove

    Mads Martigan
    Learn step by step how to light a Solo Stove. Whether you have a Solo Stove Bonfire, Yukon, Ranger, or Camp Stove, we;ve got you covered.
    No ratings yet
    PRINT PIN SHARE SAVE Saved Recipe
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • Solo Stove
    • A Lighter or Matches

    Ingredients
      

    • Twigs, Paper or other Kindling or Solo Firestarter Cubes
    • Dry Hardwood Chunks 2-3"
    • Dry Hardwood Logs

    Instructions
     

    • Place your Solo Stove on its Ring Stand on a level surface.
    • Clear away any debris around the fire pit.
    • Remove the cooking ring.
      removing the cooking ring from a solo stove
    • Build a base on the bottom grate of some 2-3" wood chunks and firestarter cubes or newspaper/kindling.
      the fire base of a solo stove
    • Create a "Clock Face" on top of this base with 3-4 small dry logs pointing out towards the perimeter and meeting in the middle.
      logs in a solo stove lighting using the clock face method
    • Continue stacking logs one at a time as the wood chunks and larger logs begin to ignite.
      a lit solo stove bonfire
    • Replace the cooking ring if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb35WBicGds
     
    Keyword How to Light a Solo Stove, Lighting a Solo Stove, Solo Stove, Solo Stove Bonfire, Solo Stove Ranger, Solo Stove Yukon
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Fire Pits

    • a solo stove with lid with raindrops on it
      What to Do if You Leave a Solo Stove in the Rain
    • a new solo stove on concrete with accessories
      The Ultimate Comparison Guide To Solo Stoves
    • a solo stove with a large flame shooting up
      Can You Use A Solo Stove Under A Covered Patio?
    • a solo stove fire pit on a concrete patio
      Can You Use a Solo Stove on a Deck or Concrete Patio?

    About Mads Martigan

    Mads is the founder of Madbackyard.com and has been a BBQ and Grilling enthusiast for the past 15 years. He loves to write about and make videos on smoking and barbecuing all kinds of great food.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Robert "Mads" Martigan, the founder of Mad Backyard

    Hi, I'm Mads, the founder of Mad Backyard and an avid outdoorsman, barbecue/smoker buff, and pellet grilling enthusiast who loves to share my passion for outdoor living and outdoor cooking with the world.

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • pork shoulder on the grates of a pit boss pellet grill with a probe thermometer inserted in the meat
      Pulled Pork on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • slices of smoked beef brisket on a cutting board
      Smoked Beef Brisket on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • baby back ribs on the grates of a pit boss pellet grill
      Baby Back Ribs on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • boston butt on the shelf of a masterbuilt electric smoker with a water pan beneath
      Smoked Boston Butt in a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker

    AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER

    Thanks for visiting Madbackyard.com!  As outdoor living enthusiasts, we love to mention and link to various products we have used or researched.  Assume those links are affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if you click and buy.  As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Seasonal Recipes

    • slices of smoked corned beef brisket on a wooden cutting board
      Smoked Corned Beef Brisket
    • smoked cabbage cut open on a cutting board
      Smoked Cabbage
    • Double smoked ham with a cherry glaze on a cutting board to show the slices of ham
      Pit Boss Smoked Ham with Cherry Fig Glaze
    • sliced leg of lamb roast on a white plate
      Smoked Leg of Lamb on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    For great baking recipes, visit our partner site You're Gonna Bake It After All.

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms and Conditions

    More

    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Shop our Store

    Contact

    • Contact Us

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020-2025 Mad Backyard

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required