There’s nothing quite like sitting around a fire pit in your yard toasting marshmallows over the flames. Solo Stoves are particularly well-suited for this since they’re smokeless and generate less heat than other types, but are they safe to use on your deck?
Solo Stoves are safe to use on both wood or Trex decking if you set the stove on a Solo Stove stand or place a heat-resistant fire pit barrier beneath it. Although Solo Stoves produce less heat than other types of fire pits, they may still harm your deck over time if used for lengthy periods of time.
Let’s take a deeper look at why Solo Stoves are suitable for both wood and Trex decks, how they distribute heat, and why you should use the stand we spoke about or a fire pit barrier.
We’ll look at how hot these stoves get on the outside, as well as whether they’re suitable for a covered deck, porch or patio.
Can You Use a Solo Stove On a Wooden Deck?
Yes, your Solo Stove can be used on a wooden deck. That’s fantastic news because there’s nothing cozier than sitting around a fire pit together, swapping stories and drinking something warm on a chilly evening. But – we’re still dealing with a combination of fire and wood here, so there are several precautions to follow.
Choose carefully in the first place. Don’t pick a pit that sits directly on the deck without any stand alternative. Choose a model that’s compatible with a stand; and, as we’ll see in a moment, Solo Stove stands are an easy answer.
Another option is to use a heat-resistant barrier on the deck (which we’ll go over in more depth later).
The first and most important thing to consider is the heat’s direction. If heat radiates downwards, your deck will be hot. You don’t want 1000oF of fire pit heat hitting the deck. To allow heat to diffuse between the fire and the surface, there must be a gap between them.
Also, be aware of the danger of striking. A real fire may hiss, spit, and send sparks in all directions, thus you don’t want these harming your deck. If the pit is disturbed, there’s a chance that burning embers would escape.
A larger barrier, as well as the burning of high-quality hardwood that is less likely to spark, can help you protect against this.
Solo stoves are a fantastic choice since they are cooler than many designs and do not produce as much smoke or sparks.
Is it OK To Use a Solo Stove On a Trex Deck?
Trex is a composite decking that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, as well as other names such as Azek, Nexan, and Versadeck. All of these companies have fire resistance ratings provided by the manufacturer. A to C are the categories, with A being the most fire resistant.
Find out what the installation requirements are for your composite or PVC decking by consulting your builder, the manufacturer, or checking the manufacturer’s website.
However, due to the high 1000oF temperatures that may reach your Trex decking, we advise using a stand for your fire pit. It will extend it enough away from the deck and might be necessary if you want to use a surface barrier. Never set a fire pit on top of concrete; instead, build it above ground level.
If you’re extremely concerned about the surface of your deck, whether it’s made of composite or wood, consider utilizing a gas-powered fire. We understand that they aren’t comparable, but there are some fantastic gas-powered choices available.
Another choice is to put the fire pit just off your deck, of course. Concrete, most pavers, gravel, stone, and dirt are all surfaces that you don’t have to be concerned about. Grass can actually get burnt if placed directly on the ground; think carefully before putting your fire pit right in the grass.
Should I Use The Solo Stove Stand?
Yes. These are fantastic, and we wouldn’t use our Solo Stove without first putting it on its neat stand. The stands are made from the same material as the stoves, 304 stainless steel. They come with holes that allow for heat distribution.
There’s no danger of the Solo Stove stand wobbling or feeling shaky because it is made to fit the fire pit. The stand also conveniently fits inside when you want to store the stove.
The stand is a must if you’re using the Solo Stove on your deck. If you’re going to the beach with your fire pit, we’d recommend attaching one to the ground (you’ll regret not doing this if you get a scorched circle on the lawn) as well as grass and sand.
We understand that sand won’t catch fire, but it does obstruct the bottom of the stove’s air vents, therefore the stand adds a few inches to avoid this.
If your patio is made of stone or concrete pavers, a stand isn’t necessary. If you’ve stained or painted the pavers, you’ll require a stand.
Do I Need a Heat Resistant Fire Pit Barrier For a Solo Stove On a Deck?
If you’re utilizing a Solo Stove stand, there should be enough space between the fire pit and the surface. You may use it on a heat-resistant barrier if you wish to be extra cautious.
These strong barriers are available on Amazon: Newtex has a circular one that looks great beneath a Solo Stove fire pit. Aluminum thermal barriers in a variety of sizes are made by Deckprotect. Just make sure any barrier is larger than your fire pit to keep the base and legs from moving.
How Is Solo Stove Heat Directed?
Solo Stoves produce less downward heat than most other types of fire pits. The cause is the vent holes in the bottom. Air is sucked into the vents at the base, which are then pushed upwards by the flames. A significant portion of the heat is dispersed away from your deck.
Is all of the heat dissipated upwards if you’re looking for radiant heat? No, it isn’t. Despite the fact that this design doesn’t radiate as much heat as others, its pleasant flames will still provide plenty of warmth.
Does The Solo Stove Get Hot On The Outside?
Yes, it is: a metal box with a fire in it. Because of the way it draws cool air from the bottom and its insulated construction, it doesn’t get as hot as other fire pit burners. You’ll still need to be cautious around children and animals, though.
Solo stoves recommend that you don’t touch any part of the fire pit until it has cooled. Because it burns quickly, the stove cools rapidly. When it comes to fire safety, this is definitely a plus.
Another wonderful thing about the Solo Stove fire pit is that it generates less smoke than other designs, making it a more pleasant and less eye-watering experience for children. As a result, there are fewer sparks, but you should still be cautious.
The fire pit spark screens are made of sturdy mesh, which prevents small sparks from flying up when children are present.
You can also use a fire guard in the same manner as you would with your indoor wood burning stove if you are really worried. Of course, you may simply enjoy the fire pit as a late-night treat for parents and older children when the infants are tucked safely in their beds…
Can The Solo Stove Be Used On a Covered Deck, Porch or Patio?
This is a contentious issue. It’s a little, compact stove that doesn’t blow out smoke or produce sparks like some fire pits and the flames are neatly contained. So, you can set it beneath a canopy, correct?
Every camping stove will require adequate ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide buildup – which is something we don’t want. Every year, there are stories about campers being sickened by using their BBQ inside their tent or awning.
A covered deck or patio, or a porch with a roof, has considerably more ventilation than an enclosed room; nevertheless, it isn’t quite as good as breathing fresh air. A patio that is open on three sides and a gazebo if you open all of the sides have decent ventilation.
On a stormy day, position your Solo Stove as close to the covered patio or porch’s edge as possible. If you have the space and cash, an open-air pergola with a high roof provides a safer outdoor area for your fire pit.
Do you want to heat a partially covered area on most evenings? With the fire pit set aside for outside use, an electric patio heater is a safer option. If you enjoy a genuine fire but believe your porch is too enclosed, consider installing a real fireplace with a real flue.
We can’t really suggest using a firebox under cover because of the CO concerns. There are many dry days and nights to enjoy your Solo Stove in the great outdoors safely on your deck or in your yard.
Conclusion Solo Stoves Safe On a Deck
Finally, if you have the right support underneath your Solo Stove or a fire pit barrier, it’s acceptable to use it on a wood or Trex deck.
Solo Stoves produce far less smoke and heat than other types of firepits, and while they still get hot on the outside, they are safer in general on decking than other models that direct more heat downwards to the deck and create more sparks.
