What to Do if You Leave a Solo Stove in the Rain

Learn all about exactly what you need to do if you leave a Solo Stove in the rain to prevent damage and rust.

Whether you have a Solo Stove Bonfire, Ranger, or Yukon, we’ve got you covered!

The Solo Stove is a high-quality, durable outdoor fire pit made from stainless steel and its claim to fame is the low amount of smoke it puts out as a fire pit for outdoor gatherings.

Unfortunately, being outdoors means the risk of being caught in a rainstorm is a possibility.

The Solo Stove is a robust product and designed to be outdoors. Still, if you are suddenly interrupted by a rain shower, and you can’t move the Solo Stove undercover, then once the rain is done, you should immediately empty the stove and clean and dry it to prevent the risk of rust.

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!

What to Do if You Leave a Solo Stove in the Rain

Leaving your Solo stove in the rain is OK if it only happens occasionally.

Still, as with anything metal, prolonged exposure to water along with heat will eventually start to create rust and corrosion even in the toughest steel, so here’s what you can do if you have left your Solo Stove in the rain.

Clean The Solo Stove Properly

The biggest risk you have is rust, and once it sets in, it can be very difficult to prevent the corrosion from spreading.

If your Solo Stove is left out in the rain, then you need to dry it immediately once the rain has stopped.

To do this safely, make sure that the fire and burning wood are completely out and that the stove surfaces are cool to the touch as you risk burning yourself if they are not.

Stainless steel is forged at high temperatures, so it is unlikely that your Solo Stove will warp or deform due to being exposed to rain, even if very hot.

Once you are certain that the fire is out, empty the ash and soot as it can become almost cement-like and end up clogging the airflow into the stove.

This will affect the heating and performance as the Solo Stove utilizes efficient airflow to operate effectively.

You can use a wet shop vacuum or damp cloth and water to rinse out the remaining ash and soot, and you can put a tarp down under the stove to catch that residue so it doesn’t mess up your patio or grass.

Ash is actually good for soil and plants, so you can empty it into flower beds if you want.

Stanley – SL18116P Wet/Dry Vacuum, 6 Gallon, 4 Horsepower Black

Check Price on Amazon

Dry The Solo Stove

Using a dry cloth, wipe the stove dry and make sure you get into all the little corners to ensure no remaining moisture so there is no risk of rust.

Remove the internal components, dry thoroughly, and then leave to dry in the sun.

We’ve covered previously in depth how to deep clean a Solo Stove and also how to remove rust from a Solo Stove.

So if you accidentally let your Solo Stove get really dirty or wet long enough to form rust, check out those articles for more information on how to deal with those situations.

Can You Leave Your Solo Stove Outside?

The Solo Stove is designed to be lit and used outside, but it is not impervious to rust, even though it may take time for it to set in if left exposed for long enough.

So if you are going to leave your solo stove outside, there are some steps you can take to prevent rust build-up.

For the price of the Solo Stove, it is best not to leave it outdoors unless you have it protected or covered in some form, and the manufacturer recommends this to ensure longevity.

Can You Put Out a Solo Stove Fire with Water?

Never use a hosepipe or water on a hot solo stove, as the temperature difference between the very hot steel and cold water can cause the steel to warp, and you can damage your stove.

This is why it is not advisable to leave your Solo stove outside in the rain, as the onset of cold rainwater on a very hot stove can result in damage as well as the possibility of rust.

It’s always better to let the Solo Stove fire burn out on its own, and then you can handle it or move it as you need to.

This will ensure that you don’t risk damage to the stove in any way and extend your Solo stove’s life.

The Solo Stove Lid is a great accessory to have to put on quickly if a rainstorm starts while the stove is still hot.

While Solo Stove doesn’t promise the Lid it will “Snuff Out” your fire, by adding the lid you are decreasing the oxygen flow to your fire and speeding to process of cooling it down, along with keeping rain out of the Solo Stove..

Solo Stove Bonfire Lid 304 Stainless Steel

Check Price on Amazon

Fast forward another hour or two, and the temperature inside the Solo Stove will likely have dropped significantly, and you can probably handle it safely to dry and clean from the rainstorm.

Oil Your Solo Stove to Prevent Rust

It’s always advisable to clean your solo stove out after each use as ash builds up and blocks the air vents.

If ash mixes with water, it produces an acidic residue that can attack the steel and cause it to rust.

Ash soaks up any moisture in the environment around it, and when it comes into contact with steel over time, it will start to cause corrosion.

To help prevent this, rub a little WD-40 Rust and Corrosion Preventer over the stove from top to bottom a couple times per year.

This is not seasoning as you would with smokers and grills, smokers, or cast iron, but a protective layer that will prevent rust from forming as quickly on the steel should it get wet.

You can use a clean, dry cloth with a little bit of the oil on it and wipe the stove down.

WD-40 300035 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor Spray, 6.5 oz Capacity

Check Price on Amazon

Store Your Solo Stove Undercover After Use

While many people would prefer not to move their Solo Stove around after every use, the simple way is to store it undercover, once you have used it.

Once cooled off completely, you can move the Solo Stove under an overhang or, of course, store it in a shed or garage.

Never store any flammable materials in the same place as the stove, and ALWAYS make sure that the stove is completely cool to the touch before storing it.

Best Covers For The Solo Stove

If your Solo Stove is always outdoors, it is recommended that you keep it covered when it’s not in use.

Small amounts of moisture on the outside of your Stove is alright, provided you dry it off with a towel.

However, excessive moisture can damage the ash pan and grate inside your Solo Stove.

Therefore, for outdoor bonfire stoves, a good cover is recommended. This will ensure your outdoor fire pit is always protected from the elements.

If you are camping and plan to leave your Solo Stove outside just for the night, or want to cover it while it is still hot, use the Stainless Steel Solo Stove Lid instead.

Once the Solo Stove has no more burning embers and is completely cool to the touch, you can leave the lid on or take it off and place a good weatherproof cover over the Stove.

We like this one from Tiga because of its heavy duty material and drawstring feature. It also won’t fade from UV exposure because it is already white.

Tiga Fire Pit Cover for Solo Stove Bonfire, Waterpoof Cover with Drawstring, Heavy Duty 600D Polyester Oxford

Made of high quality marine grade 600D fabric, super practical for indoors and outdoors. double stitching and better UV protection ensure durability over time, which can also prevent your bonfire from unwanted scratch and bumper.
【WEATHERPROOF】The drawstring around the bottom of cover allows cover to be tighten securely on the mower, the windproof buckle can also prevent the cover from blowing away. Waterproof nylon fabric can keep your mower from snow, rain and dust, etc.

Check Price on Amazon

What Do If You Leave A Solo Stove In The Rain – The Verdict

The Solo Stove is a pricey investment, and as such, you should take good care of it, and even if it has to be outside, add a cover or store it undercover so that you don’t have to deal with rust.

If you have left it in the rain where unavoidable, it doesn’t spell doom at all for the Solo Stove and provided you clean and dry it quickly afterward; you should get good years of service going forward.