OHUB Review: Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 Fire Pit
Keith Lusher 11.07.23
It’s amazing to me how portable fire pits have come in just a short time. Portability, smokeless technology, and quality stainless steel products are now available in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Because of the number of choices that are available, I was forced to do a little (three days) homework before deciding on which portable fire pit to choose. Here are some of the qualities that I looked at in order to help me make my decision.
Smokeless Technology: I’ve heard about how far smokeless fire pits have come and the technology behind burning off the smoke with heated air that is expelled through holes in the top. Having a fire pit that burns clean was my #1 priority.
Quality Build: Let’s face it. Fire Pits aren’t cheap! I looked at the material that these pits were made of. Nothing less than 304 Stainless Steel would be acceptable for what I wanted to use it for.
Kid Friendly: I have three kids who will probably grow up to be pyromaniacs judging by how they like to light fires. Marshmallow roasts, s’mores, and even running around the fire playing musical chairs are all possible when my kids are around my next fire pit. I wanted a pit that was safe to the touch and wouldn’t burn them when, and not if, they touched the outside.
After doing much research and reading a ton of online reviews I settled on the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 Fire Pit. The Pit retails for $ 229 and I ordered it from Tractor Supply Company. The delivery was free so that was a real bonus! I received the fire pit in 4 days which was surprising because I find larger products tend to take longer to ship. Now let’s get to the meat of this review!
After opening the package I took out all of the contents which was the actual fire pit body, a flame ring which, is simply a collar to dress up the top of the pit. The ash pan and the base plate on which the ash pan sits. Setting up the Solo Stove was a breeze and after a quick glance at the diagram that was on the instructions, I was able to piece it together within 5 minutes. No tools needed! Before I loaded it with wood and lit it up I wanted to test just how portable it was. First of all, it came with a handy carrying case which was really nice. I was able to lift the pit with ease being that it only weighs 15 pounds. I was able to load it into the carrying case with ease. This will help when I am packing it up for our next camping trip.
Now let’s get to the actual performance of the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0.
I loaded the bottom of the pit with a mixture of pine cones and small twigs that I gathered up in the backyard. I lit the kindling and then placed three logs in it. The fire quickly lit and the logs were burning in no time.
Is it smokeless? Solo Stove brags about the smokeless build of their pits and being that it was my biggest concern, I monitored the smoke output carefully. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at just how little smoke was put off by the pit. Not only was the smoke faint, but what little it did put off, the pit was able to blow the smoke straight up because of the heat it put off. After doing a little examining of the hole placement it seems like they were strategically placed in order for the air to travel up through the walls of the pit and out of the top. The heated air did something to reduce the smoke however I don’t know the specifics of how this works. All I know is that at no time did my family complain about getting smoke in their eyes. My wife even mentioned how her clothes didn’t smell like smoke after we went inside.
Is it built with quality material: The Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is made entirely of 304 Stainless Steel which is the same thing that all of my Blaze Outdoor Kitchen Built-ins are made of – 304 stainless steel. There is no plastic, rubber, or any other material that makes up the fire pit so this thing has lasting power and should last for years to come!
Is it kid-friendly? It didn’t take long for my kids to break out the graham crackers and Hershey bars to start making s’mores. And while no mishaps happened that caused them to touch the outside of the pit, I did test it with a quick swipe of my hand to see how hot the outside was. And while it was hot, it didn’t burn my hand to the extent that I was worried about. I actually placed my hand on the exterior and was able to leave it there for 2 seconds before pulling it away. This qualifies as safe in my eyes. I think what makes the exterior safe to the touch is the double-walled technology which allows for air to flow in between the inner wall and outer wall.
Conclusion
My family has used the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 numerous times since the initial purchase and the pit has performed flawlessly. The ashes are easily emptied out by simply removing the collar lid and lifting up the ashtray in order to empty the ashes that are left in the bottom of the pit. It’s gotten so easy to use the kids are able to light it up on their own. I would highly recommend this fire pit for anyone seeking the perfect balance of a smoke-free ambiance, durability, and safety. Its minimal smoke production, high-quality stainless steel construction, and child-friendly design make it a fantastic addition to any outdoor space. Say goodbye to smoky discomfort and hello to unforgettable outdoor moments. This fire pit is the real deal, and it’s a purchase you won’t regret.
