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Rating: 4.8/5
Leading up to the release of the Solo Stove Summit 24, I wondered if its new design features would actually make a noticeable difference for outdoor living setups. I enjoy sitting by a fire, so testing fire pits has been one of my favorite assignments—and comparing the Bonfire 2.0 and the X24 side-by-side gave me insight on the most popular smokeless fire pits from Solo Stove and Breeo. There are clear differences in design philosophies, but the actual results with regard to fire and smoke were very similar. When I received the Summit 24, I set out to determine whether design innovations could lead to an even better experience than the competing flagship models.
Including its built-in base, the Solo Stove Summit 24 is lower and wider than the Bonfire (on or off of its base). The Summit measures 19 inches in diameter (inside the flame ring), 14.5 inches exterior height, and 8.5 inches deep. That’s comparable to the Breeo X24 (14.5-inch exterior height, 22-inch inside diameter, 10-inch depth), but the Summit weighs significantly less due to the different steel thicknesses: 35 pounds versus the 62-pound Breeo.
Summit 24" Fire Pit
Buy at Solo StoveIn addition to the squatty proportions and built in base, the Summit’s other notable new feature is the Quick Strike Cone. This addition supports the use of alcohol gel fire starter and makes start up easier. You get to skip the tinder and kindling and other types of fire starters that other fire pits require. Just stack firewood around the cone, pour gel fire starter onto the cone so that it overflows to the three pools beneath the wood, and light it. The alcohol gel burns clean, ignites the firewood, and you have a full-on campfire in minutes.
I’ve had the Summit for almost 3 months and burned eight fires in it so far. Solo Stove makes it super easy to have fires as often as you like, with seasoned firewood and starter gel available to order. I used Solo Stove products for my first Summit 24 fire, but have used what I have on hand since then, including other gel fuel brands and traditional tinder/kindling.
The cone does make it easier to start fires, especially for those who don’t have a ready supply of natural fire-making materials right outside their door. Although it takes up some real estate inside the pit—probably about the volume of a single firewood log—the cone does not noticeably limit the appearance of the flames compared to similar-sized fire pits. For the sake of travel, I wish the cone could be removed (I would probably leave it at home) in order to transport more firewood inside the pit. But it doubles as the fire grate, so the pit cannot be used without it.
That being said, the cone is a handy addition that doesn’t detract from other fire-starting methods. I’ve used natural tinder and kindling, homemade fire starters, and other brands of alcohol gel starter with equal success. Starting with alcohol does not seem to be faster than with other types of fire starters given the same firewood. For instance, using dry, seasoned juniper firewood (similar to the bundle I received from Solo Stove) and a sliver of birch bark, I had a nice fire in about the same amount of time as with gel.
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty fire pit for the backyard, the competition is pretty tough, but the Summit 24 could fit the bill. It truly stands out as one of the best portable fire pits I’ve tested. It is lightweight, doesn’t take up much cargo space, and includes its own built-in stand (fewer parts are better in my opinion). I have used it on grass without added heat protection, and the grass was unaffected. I preferred the fireside experience of the Summit over the Bonfire, too. The lower height improves flame visibility, heat distribution (without a heat deflector), and the ability to see those seated on the opposite side of the fire pit.
3 Features That Make the New Solo Stove Summit 24 a Stand-Out Fire Pit
