Solo Stove Ranger Backyard Bundle - Ranger Fire Pit with Stand,Carry Case, Waterproof Shelter, and Shield Great Stainless Steel Fire Pit for Camping and RVs

Decided on a Ranger as it fits my need for portability and size. Got the bundle so it came with the ranger, shield, bottom ring, weather cover, and storage bag. Everything seems well made. No issues as far as craftsmanship that i can see. Only improvement i can recommend is the storage bag, it needs to be enlarged a bit as the current fit is too precise to the ranger’s size that removing and replacing the storage bag is a bit difficult.Be aware that due to the Ranger’s size, you will need to cut down your logs as regular sized logs are too big to fit below the secondary burn holes.My initial burn gave off a horrible chemical smell. Wasn’t sure if it’s the wood, the ranger, or the shield, but will have to do a few more burns and see if it improves. Smokes a bit when first lighted but once the fire gets going it does improve immensely. Definitely not smoke free by any means but it is a night and day difference compared to traditional fire pits. When the fire starts roaring the flames due rise up pretty high, so definitely keep that in mind in regards to where you plan to have the fire. This thing heats up super hot, especially directly above the pit. It still provides some radiant heat outwards about three feet away. The radiant heat is mostly from the top of the pit, feet level will not get any heat at all. Actually you can touch the bottom of the pit while it’s roaring and it’ll still be comfortable enough to touch bare handed. Once the fire is out the coals that are left do still provide a very strong heat source.The shield is a toss up. I started my fire without it and some small embers did escape. When i placed the shield the same type of embers still escaped. Perhaps it’s meant to prevent potential large embers?Once coals are left, it takes about an hour for the stove to be cool enough to handle and move. I let the stove burn it’s self out over night. The stove is so efficient whats left is just a small clump of ash. To clean you just turn it over and give it a few strong taps.All in all i do enjoy my purchase. Only real gripes are the cutting down of logs (might get tedious after a while), the chemical smell (hopefully improves after a few burns), and the tight fitting storage bag.If you have space for one, go for bonfire. Not needing to cut down your logs is a huge benefit. But if you’re aware of that, need something smaller and more portable, go for the ranger.

We love this little wood burner.Our kids each have the larger one that they take camping with them or sit in their drive way and talk with neighbors at night. We roast marshmallows and make s'mores, roast hot dogs a few times for a evening snack too.We bought the smaller one to take with us when we travel to enjoy a nice fire outside the tent or cabin we rent and to take with us to the beach to cut the chill at night. We love it.ps: We save our paper towel tubes and stuff with our dry lint and used fabric softer sheets and store in a ziplock back and take with us, makes great fire starters too and smells good also.... Ha, ha

Really wished we would of gotten next size up. This is small. I suggest buying the medium one for camping. Wish i could return it for next size up. only used once.

Great safe way to have a fire without much smoke. Gets nice and hit and doesn’t burn as much wood as I thought it would.We had it sitting on packed snow and it barely sank in. Maybe not ideal for marshmallows since the flame is pretty concentrated, but it can be done if you let the fire burn down a bit. Then stoke it back up when done cooking marshmallows.

Had to use smaller firewood than with previous fire pits, but resulted in hotter and larger flame. Adding wood requires two tools to remove cover, as opposed to a single hook to the remove the cover of other fire pits. Durability remains to be seen. Have to turn upside down to empty, as opposed to scooping out ash.