Breeo vs. Solo Stove
In our experience, the Solo Stove tends to produce a more impressive fire, but that doesn’t mean it’s the better of the two. Breeo’s cooking platform offers a great alternative to grilling and keeps your friends and family involved in the process. The simple design of the Breeo is built for the elements, and still puts on quite a show.
How are the Breeo and Solo Stove Smokeless?
Truth be told, these stainless steel fire pits are not 100% smokeless - call it 95% smokeless once the fires are up and going. They work by providing additional oxygen to the fire from the base. This in turn, creates a hotter burning fire where the additional wood particulates get burned up before being released into the air.
The Breeo accomplishes this by using their X-Frame design, which has 4 pieces of square steel tubing arranged in an ‘x’ shape. Slots are cut into the side of this square tubing to allow oxygen to be pulled from the ground below.
Nicely tacked welds, and a thick gauge steel help ensure this will stand up to years of use.
The Solo Stove accomplishes this by using a perforated dome the logs sit on. Again, these holes allow the fire to pull oxygen from the space beneath it to feed the fire.
Each has their own pros and cons. What you need to know is there is a trade off between performance and longevity.
Air flows in through the bottom, is heated up, then pulled through the top for a secondary burn.
The Solo Stove has already had a revision to the design done once because of failures with the perforated grate. The Breeo offers more structural stability for the air flow underneath and likely will last longer.
While both create impressive fires, the Solo Stove is slightly better performing, based on our experience. More oxygen is fed to the fire because of greater air flow.
Breeo Line Up
When it comes to a cozy setup you want to crash by at the end of a long week and cook dinner on, Breeo is the go-to choice. With a line up that offers the basic smokeless setup to a full-on heavy duty cooking station, Breeo has you covered for an easy install and attractive setup.
Breeo’s two most popular models are the Double Flame and X-Series followed by the Zentro and Luxeve lines. The flagship product that Breeo is most known for is the X-Series line of fire pits that offers a stainless steel sear plate built right into the top of the fire pit.
This sear plate makes it easy to cook burgers, chicken, steaks, and more with ease. You can still cook on the Double Flame and Zentro models, although you will need the additional Outpost system that can be purchased separately.
Burgers and steaks can be cooked direclty on the metal sear plate
Generally speaking, Breeo’s are far from portable and are meant to be the backyard’s go-to spot.
Solo Stove Line Up
Solo Stove has a much larger line up than Breeo due to their variety in categories that cover campfire stoves and now, as of 2020, grilling. Solo Stove’s offerings are lightweight and great for portable options for RV’ing and tailgating.
The fires produced by the Solo Stoves are impressive and warm, although you may have a more difficult time cooking anything on them. Solo Stove’s most popular products are their Ranger, Bonfire, and Yukon fire pit lines that come in a small, medium, and large size respectively.
CAUTION
The fires in each of those fire pits is elevated well above the ground and are generally considered safe for use on decks, grass, and treated concrete. However, with any fire pit it is recommended to use a heat shield with concrete pavers to help further dissipate heat and protect the ground or deck beneath it.
Breeo Double Flame vs. Solo Stove Ranger & Bonfire
Solo Stove offers 3 smokeless, stainless steel fire pits ranging from small to large with the Ranger and Bonfire models reflecting the small and medium sizes respectively. Breeo does not have an offering in the ‘Ranger’ size.
Technical Detail | Solo Stove Ranger |
|---|---|
Height | 12.5 in / 31.8 cm |
Diameter | 15 in / 38.1 cm |
Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kgs |
Material | 304 Stainless Steel |
Volume | 9.56 Gallons |
Price |
So if you have a small space, such as an apartment balcony, then the Solo Stove ranger is going to be your best bet. Additionally, if you have limited space in a car, truck, RV, etc. then the Ranger will allow you the comforts of a fire pit without taking up too much real estate.
Now, let’s look at the Double Flame vs. the Bonfire. The Double Flame comes in a 19” and 24” model, but we’ll look at only the 19” model here since it is closest in comparison and price.
Technical Detail | 19" Breeo Double Flame | Solo Stove Bonfire |
|---|---|---|
Height | 19 in / 48.3 cm | 14 in / 35.6 cm |
Diameter | 22 in / 55.9 cm | 19.5 inches / 49.5 cm |
Weight | 48 lbs / 21.8 kg | 20 lbs / 9.1 kgs |
Material | 304 Stainless Steel | 304 Stainless Steel |
Volume | 18.41 Gallons | 18.10 Gallons |
Price |
The most notable difference between the two is the weight. While all fire pits are technically portable, you have to decide on what’s ‘portable’ for you.
For someone with adequate space in an RV or truck, either of these will be fine as long as you don’t have to carry them long distances. These fire pits are awkward to carry and it’s especially tough if the fire pit is still too hot for bare hands.
You can buy some heat resistant gloves, but these are only good for lifting the fire pits a short distance before you’ll start to feel the heat on your hands.
We recommend the OZERO's Heat Resistant Leather Gloves
Breeo X-Series vs. Solo Stove Bonfire and Yukon
Breeo’s flagship model is the X-Series; it features a stainless steel sear plate and the ability to add their outpost cooking system. The Yukon is Solo Stove’s largest model at 27” and offers an impressive fire for bigger gatherings.
While the Solo Stove does not have a seamlessly integrated cooking solution, Breeo’s Outpost Cooking System can be used with the Solo Stove, or any other fire pit.
The Breeo X-Series comes in a 19” and 24” model. Again, while these fire pits are technically ‘portable’ with enough strength and space, the X-Series is the last fire pit you’re going to want to move. It utilizes COR-TEN steel, aka weathering or structural steel, in the body, which adds significant weight.
The trade off with using COR-TEN is it is made to be outside year around. The outside develops a beautiful patina over time as it becomes the centerpiece of family gatherings.
Breeo X-Series 19” Model vs. Solo Stove Bonfire
Technical Detail | 19" Breeo X-Series | Solo Stove Bonfire |
|---|---|---|
Height | 19 in / 48.3 cm | 14 in / 35.6 cm |
Diameter | 23.5 in / 59.7 cm | 19.5 inches / 49.5 cm |
Weight | 56 lbs / 25.4 kg | 20 lbs / 9.1 kgs |
Material | 304 Stainless Steel / COR-TEN | 304 Stainless Steel |
Volume | - | 18.10 Gallons |
Price |
Breeo X-Series 24” Model vs. Solo Stove Yukon
Technical Detail | 24" Breeo X-Series | Solo Stove Yukon |
|---|---|---|
Height | 24 in / 61cm | 16 in / 40.6 cm |
Diameter | 29.5 in / 74.9 cm | 27 in / 68.6 cm |
Weight | 78 lbs / 35.4 kg | 38 lbs / 17.23 kgs |
Material | 304 Stainless Steel / COR-TEN | 304 Stainless Steel |
Volume | - | 45.71 Gallons |
Price |
Other Breeo and Solo Stove Models
In addition to the main product lines, Breeo and Solo Stove offer fire pit options that don’t exactly have a direct competitor.
For those looking to build a stone surround and house a fire pit in the center, Breeo’s Zentro line is a top-choice. It combines the smokeless technology and includes the option to use their outpost system to cook over the fire. There are 3 different sizes available that have loose tolerances on them so they can fit a variety of stone surround diameters.
Solo Stove released a grill that resembles a stainless steel Weber grill more than anything else. While it’s far from conventional, the grill does it’s job and cooks food the way it’s advertised. However, Solo Stove’s grill is specifically that, only a grill. This is not a fire pit-grill combo.
Lastly, Breeo’s Luxeve line adds some color and, as the name implies, a more luxurious look to your fire pit. There are 6 different color options and each comes with a bag of fire pit glass that surrounds the upper rim, rather than a sear plate like you see on the X-Series.
Is the Solo Stove Better than Breeo?
That’s a question you have to decide for yourself. While the Breeo is the clear winner in terms of cooking options, the Solo Stove is the lighter in weight of the two. In our opinion, the Breeo is better suited for backyard experiences and only to be moved short distances - like from the porch to the shed for winter storage.
The Solo Stove tends to produce a better fire, but that’s only if you’re really going to scrutinize a fire’s performance. At the end of the day, a fire is a fire.
DON'T FORGET
Don't forget to budget for accessories! The Solo Stove does not include a stand, while the stand is built into the Breeo fire pits. Check out our full list of bonfire accessories.