Breeo vs. Solo Stove: An Honest Breeo Fire Pit Review by a Solo Stove Fan

It seems that every new deck and patio upgrade includes a fire pit, and savvy buyers are going smokeless. I’ve tested dozens of fire pits that are technically “smokeless,” including those that burn wood pellets, propane, gel fuel, and alcohol, among others, but most browsers in search of “smokeless fire pits” have firewood burners in mind. Smokeless fire pits elevate the bonfire experience by offering the best of both worlds: real wood-fueled fire for traditional campfire ambience, and no smoke for, well, everyone. Numerous companies sell smokeless fire pits, but the two that currently lead the category are Solo Stove and Breeo.

Ever since I reviewed Solo Stove’s popular Bonfire 2.0, I was eager to test the Breeo X series as a point of comparison between these two top brands. Breeo manufactures its fire pits, as well as a broad assortment of fire pit accessories, at its operations base in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Most of its customer reviews rave over Breeo’s heavy-duty construction. The company prides itself on product innovation, constant improvement, and community support. I wanted to see how its midsize X24 smokeless fire pit measured up against the competition.

Breeo X24 Smokeless Fire Pit: At a Glance

Rating: 9.6/10

PROS

• Craftsman quality and heavy-duty construction for extreme durability that also looks great
• Dual-wall design offers the comfort of a smokeless campfire experience
• Worry-free corten steel and stainless steel materials are completely weatherproof
• Full line of fire pit tools and cooking accessories boost the fire pit’s functionality

CONS

• Heavy build makes it pretty much stationary; not a great choice for portability
• Burns through more wood faster than an on-the-ground campfire

Get the Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit at:

• The Home Depot for $599.00 (corten steel)
• The Home Depot for $799.00 (stainless steel)
• Ace Hardware for $599.99 (corten steel)
• Ace Hardware for $799.99 (stainless steel)
• Breeo starting at $599.00

What is the Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit?

Breeo currently sells three different series of dual-wall smokeless fire pits: the flagship X-series, the portable Y-series, and the high-end Luxeve-series. The X24 is Breeo’s midsize X-series fire pit, flanked by the smaller X19 and the larger X30. It’s the perfect size for gatherings of four to eight guests. The rim diameter measures 27.5 inches to the outside edges. It stands 14.75 inches high and weighs 62 pounds. The inner burn chamber is 23.5 inches in diameter and 11.38 inches high, and the ideal firewood length is 16 to 18 inches.

One key feature that makes this fire pit easy to light and burn efficiently is the specially designed vent system in the base of the burn chamber. An elevated X-shape, outlined with 64 vent holes, draws a steady flow of fresh air from outside the fire pit. Just a tiny amount of heat inside the burn chamber, such as a lit match, starts a convection current that energizes the fire with cool oxygen-rich air. In addition to faster starting, the increased oxygen minimizes waste by letting firewood burn completely down to powdery ash.

The X24’s dual-wall design is the key to its smokelessness. Cool air enters at the base and rises between the inner and outer walls where it becomes super heated before exiting the wall space through holes in the wall just below the rim and above the fire. When the superheated, oxygen-rich air comes into contact with smoke coming off the fire, it causes the smoke particles to ignite before exiting the top of the fire pit. This is called the “secondary burn,” and it adds to the mass of flames, increasing the overall brightness of the fire.

I burned 10 fires in the Breeo X24 as I considered the most important distinctions between it and the comparable Solo Stove. Both offer similar smokeless functionality, high-quality construction, and fun, high-functioning accessories. To me, the main difference is heavy-duty durability versus lightweight portability. Anyone looking for an easy-to-tote fire pit that they can truck around to social events every other weekend will probably prefer the Solo Stove. But those with a “buy it once, use it forever” mentality, in my estimation, will be most satisfied with the Breeo X24.

Is the Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit really smokeless?

I have yet to experience a 100 percent smokeless wood fire, but the Breeo X24 comes as close as I’ve seen. Since smokelessness is made possible by superheated air in the wall space, it took a little time to get things going, so I had a bit of smoke during the first few minutes of every fire.

Under normal conditions, using well-seasoned firewood and avoiding overstuffing the burn chamber, I enjoyed smokeless campfires within 15 minutes or less of starting the fire. But I did experiment to learn about the fire pit’s tolerance of poor fuel quality or improper use. In my experience, a ratio of 2 parts good firewood to 1 part lower-quality firewood still produced a smokeless fire.

A higher percentage of poor-quality firewood, whether it was wet, green, or partially rotted, increased the likelihood of smoke. Smoke also increased when logs stuck out above the rim of the fire pit, where the action of the superheated air quickly dissipated.

Which is better, corten steel or stainless steel?

The X24 that I tested featured interior and exterior corten steel walls and 304 stainless steel legs and rim. Corten steel, also called weathering steel, is an architectural alloy that was developed to eliminate the need for paint. With exposure it naturally takes on an oxidized-iron surface patina, but it’s extremely resistant to rust. Corten is also considered one of the most sustainable architectural metals because it requires no paint or coating of any kind, and it demands less energy during production than stainless steel.

Rustic corten looks great with the stainless steel accents. Alternatively, the X24 is available in all 304 stainless steel for those who prefer a sleek shiny appearance. All types of stainless steel are corrosion-resistant, but the higher nickel content in 304 stainless makes it especially rustproof. Whether you choose corten or stainless steel, this fire pit is built to last a lifetime in the outdoors without requiring special protection.

What I Like About the Breeo X24 Smokeless Fire Pit

I appreciate smokeless fire pits for what they are, but after testing so many, I look past basic functionality for something new and different. The Breeo X24 operates perfectly, but it clearly offers more. When I first unboxed it, the brand-new corten steel had a matte blue/gray appearance. The longer it sat in my yard, the more it weathered, slowly taking on the characteristic “rusty” oxidized appearance. Although it had not fully developed after several weeks of testing, I really look forward to watching it attain that rugged patina and how that will complement the natural setting of my backyard.

I also like its rock-solid build. Upon inspection, the care that goes into building these fire pits became obvious. Every weld, even those completely out of sight on the underside of the inner rim and where the legs are connected at the bottom, is ground smooth. All four legs sit flush on a flat, hard surface with no rocking or wobbling. The thickness of the steel makes this fire pit almost three times as heavy as the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0. Where its competitor could be dented by a swift kick (not that I would do that), the Breeo’s heavy-duty exterior wall would break my toe.

Although I used only the fire pit, I am also intrigued by the array of outdoor cooking accessories designed for the X-series fire pits. With the addition of the Outpost fixture, a griddle, grill, and pot hook expand the fire pit’s functionality into the realm of live-fire cooking.

What I Don’t Like About the Breeo X24 Smokeless Fire Pit

If there is downside to the Breeo X24, it has to be the weight. Anyone who needs a fire pit mostly for backyard use, but who also wants to occasionally take it along on a camping trip, will risk a hernia every time they travel. Although 62 pounds sounds like a doable weight for one person to lift, combined with the bulk of the fire pit, it really should be a two-person lift. For those who travel frequently with their fire pit, it may be a deal breaker.

Is the Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit worth the price?

The Breeo X24 is a premium fire pit that comes at a premium price. Most retailers sell it for just under $600, which is a fair price in my experience. Made of quality material in the U.S., it’s a simple, heavy-duty product with no moving parts that will break down.

It would be easy to look at either the smaller Solo Stove Bonfire, which sells for $299, or the more comparably sized Solo Stove Yukon, which sells for $449, as more affordable options, but it really depends on how you want to use the stove. Avoid the race to the bottom that comes with buying cheaper. Travelers who want grab-and-go convenience will probably be happier with a Solo Stove. But if you want to set up a fire pit for a lifetime of backyard bonfires, expect the highest level of satisfaction from the Breeo.

Where to Buy the Breeo X24 Smokeless Fire Pit

Get the Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit at:

• The Home Depot for $599.00 (corten steel)
• The Home Depot for $799.00 (stainless steel)
• Ace Hardware for $599.99 (corten steel)
• Ace Hardware for $799.99 (stainless steel)
• Breeo starting at $599.00

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn-care products, and other outdoor-living goods.