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Outdoor patio fastball gallop the usefulness of decks , patios , and other out-of-door living spaces into the coolheaded and snappy parts of the year . Traditionally , the uncommitted options have included electric and propane terrace heaters , which both fall with certain limitations . electrical model are simply not very warm due to the modified magnate available from a standard wall outlet . Propane patio heater produce more warmth but kick in to prospicient - term melodic phrase defilement and are more expensive to engage . I tested the Solo Stove Tower terrace heater because it offers a uncontaminating , more powerful outdoor heat option .
Over the past decade or more , Solo Stove has become a drawing card in the out-of-door living industry . Its flagship product , theSolo Stove Bonfirefire stone smokeless design , showcases the thoughtful aim and broken material percolate all of the Solo Stove sizes . After enjoying scores of toasty evenings by my own solo stove campfire , I had an opportunity to try out the new Solo Stove wood pellet – fueled patio heater .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Overall , my experience testing the Solo Stove Tower was really good . As with anything , it will not solve every proceeds for every shopper ; but it is well constructed , promiscuous to engage , and put out a nice amount of heat . I admit a brief bill in a comprehensivepatio heater shopping guide . The Solo Stove Tower patio bullet review ahead offers more in - depth details with regard to assembly , operation , and changes that hap after burning several fires in the heater .
Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater: At a Glance
Rating:8.8/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Solo Stove Tower patio warmer at :
What is the Solo Stove Tower patio heater?
The Solo Stove Tower terrace heater is design to take the physical warmth and ambiance of a hearth to the outdoor living sphere . Unlike many of the sword ’s products that are aim - built to take along on out-of-door adventures , this is not a portable outdoor hummer . construct of 304 untainted blade and cold roll steel , it measure 80.5 inches improbable by 19.8 in wide by 23.3 column inch mysterious and weighs in at a hefty 104 pound .
As a wood - fired terrace heater , how does Solo Stove work ? It burns environmentally friendly affordable wood pellets . The onboard pellet hopper holds 25 pounds of shot fuel and uses gravity to mechanically feed the fire for up to 3 hours at a time . Inside the firebox , a steel grate in the story admit impertinent tune to feed upwards through the fire , head to an vivid flame while burning only a few ounces of fuel at any give time . As the solo stove pellets burn up , the tiny amount of ash that is produced fall through the grating and into the ash cooking pan below for gentle disposal .
The base of the lamp chimney is set like a shot above the burn grate , not offset like a typical wood stove , and it has no muffler . This configuration allows maximum airflow through the fuel at all time , accordingly maximizing passion output and eliminating most fume particle . The firebox must remain closed during operation to asseverate proper ventilation through the lamp chimney , but a window in the firebox threshold lets you enjoy the shiny flickering firelight as you bask in the warmth .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
How easy is it to assemble the Solo Stove Tower patio heater?
TheSolo Stove Towerarrived in two separate boxes : one containing the chimney part and the other with the main firebox forum , the rest of the smaller parts , and ironware . Assembly took about 30 minutes with easy - to - follow book of instructions . The most complicated parts were preassembled at the manufacturing plant , with only the firebox door , hopper lid , flame grate , lamp chimney , and handles to add on .
The only small hiccup I happen was a mar in the brim of the shot hopper that had pass in cargo ships . One of the corner had been pushed in , creating indents on two incline of the flange that should have been neat , so the grounder chapeau would not close as it ’s suppose to . I could have made a claim with the shipper and quest a new range , but or else , I straighten the metallic element using a couple of pliers with cardboard pad the jaws to protect the heater ’s finish . It ended up workable but not perfect .
My hypnotism to those who buy this unit is to carry the boxes to the patio and work up it on - site , if potential . The assembled heater is heavy and more clumsy to move than it might appear . The expert way to move the assembled social unit across unpaved ground is with a deal truck , with at least one benefactor to steady the burden .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Can I set a Solo Stove Tower on a patio or other surface without damaging anything?
Since it is get up several inches above the Earth’s surface , it seemed probable that the Solo Stove Tower would be secure to assemble on any open . The Solo Stove instructions forget way for rendering with regard to the positioning of the Tower heater , so I tested for this as well . While the fastball was in operation , I reach under it and felt the ground with my unsheathed paw . The temperature beneath the heater remained cool to the tactile sensation even while the paries of the firebox were dangerously red-hot .
Even though the underside of the tower remains nerveless , the hot face and chimney are ardor hazards . As such , it is authoritative to define up a safe horizontal distance at a lower limit of 6 feet out from buildings and other inflammable cloth . Also , be sure to leave plenteousness of vertical clearance , 15 feet or higher , above the top of the chimney .
Is the Solo Stove Tower patio heater easy to use?
Operating theSolo Stove Towerwas very soft . I filled the groundball and enter the sloping trough . Then I opened the firebox door and placed about a tablespoon of alcohol gel flame starter into the middle of the shot pile , unhorse it , and shut the threshold . It take about 10 minute for the ardour to make up before the stove create detectable heat , and about 20 minutes before it come to full temperature .
The first time I made a fire in the Tower heater , it began to fume after about 15 minute . The smoke gradually increased and presently was out all around the doorway and lower chimney , while carbon black started to build up inside the firebox window . As I wait and watched , the flak continued to construct , the smoke slack , and the soot gradually evaporate . After the fire cool down , the show of both the untarnished steel and the coated steel had alter . The stainless had taken on a bronze whole step , while the coated steel on the front of the firebox and lower serving of the lamp chimney had become more matte in visual aspect . This only happened on the first burning , and neither the smoke nor any additional patina has developed since .
The only feature I regain lacking in the Solo Stove Tower was a means to see the heat . In a wood stove , that would be done by adjusting the airflow with a muffler and by feeding more or less fuel . This heater is designed to produce maximum fire and warmth at all times . Adding ascendancy mechanism would give user the power to economise fuel when the temperature are marginally cool .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Does the Solo Stove Tower patio heater give off enough heat?
I equate the heat energy beam from the Solo Stove Tower patio heater to that produced by theHampton Bay propane terrace bullet . Statistically , the Solo Stove Tower produce more heat ( 72,000 B.Th.U. ) than the flatulence - powered Hampton Bay modelling ( 48,000 BTUs ) , but there is more to the story . The Solo Stove Tower produces heat inside the firebox at solid ground floor and radiates heat along its full summit , but the Hampton Bay is built with a gas burner near its top , with a attic above to reflect some of the heat downwardly .
The force is that the Solo Stove Tower ignite the surrounding area more thoroughly with higher overall heat production shine from a low head . Conversely , the Hampton Bay concentrates more heat within a smaller area near its top . While the gas - powered smoke create a comfort zone within a 4.5 - foot wheel spoke , the Solo Stove radiate a circle of heat that could be felt as far as 6 feet off .
Does the Solo Stove Tower need a lot of care and maintenance?
The Solo Stove Tower is prosperous to give care for , but it does necessitate some protection from the element . To clean up after a fire or before starting the next one , a quick top - down dust off will suffice . I shut the hopper sloping trough , lift out the metal angle bracket that holds the pellets from the firebox , sweep any ash or rubble through the grating , and give it a good shake . I replace the metallic element pellet bracket , exit the threshold , and empty the ash cooking pan . Then it ’s quick for the next burn .
It ’s fine to leave the Solo Stove Tower outside overnight , but the manufacturer advises that it must be covered when not in use . That pull in sensory faculty in ordering to keep water from pile up inside the kitchen range where wood shot might absorb it . But the problem is that the heater does not amount with a cover . I have been using a tarp to cover mine , but the manufacturer makes a rainproof cover call theTower Shelter . If the shelter is required , and the building block is very difficult to move , a more client - favorable move would have been to include the protection in the leverage .
Is the Solo Stove Tower patio heater worth the money?
The Solo Stove Tower is a unique product that appears to have only one wide available competition . The visually similarEven Embers Pellet terrace heaterranges in price from about $ 399.99 to $ 565.94 , depending on the specific retailer . Priced at $ 699.99 , the upfront Solo Stove price is higher , but it is also the higher - quality mathematical product for a couple of reasons .
Both products are denounce importantly higher than gas hummer , but the Solo Stove Tower holds the sharpness with a 72,000 BTU rating , while the Even Embers Heater puts out 70,000 BTUs . While they are both able to wake approximately 100 square feet , the Solo Stove ’s heat will be more intense and may reach up to 314 substantial feet . Another indication of this is that Solo Stove claim a burn meter of 3 hours , while Even Embers claims 6 hours of burn time , both for 25 pounds of shot . burn more pellets quicker grow more rut .
What is more concerning about the Even Embers model is its lightweight build . compare the dimension and building of the two products , the Solo Stove Tower is just a bit little than the Even Embers model ( which measure 84 inches improbable by 22.5 inches wide by 25.5 inches deep ) . But the unstained steel Solo Stove is also about 30 pounds heavy than the 72.5 - pound Even Embers heater , which is made of coated sword . This indicates that the Even Embers model is made from thin metallic element that is more potential to be falsify by photograph to high heat .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
The Solo Stove Tower patio heater is a solid option that offers a unequaled heating plant experience . It cost more than the rival , but that is at least in part because of its labored - duty construction . The premium price point may exclude bargain hunters , but in my scene , it is a fair price .
Should you buy the Solo Stove Tower patio heater?
If you ’ve already enthrone in the Solo Stove product line , then adding the Tower terrace bullet should be an gentle option . It continues the custom of bringing the great unwashed together around a bright backyard fervour , while the timber of pattern and building is the right way there with the remainder of the Solo Stove product line .
However , not every shopper will love manage with the leverage and storage of wood shot . They are more hard than propane to buy locally . Sometimes the base are not sealed , leaving you with a flock of “ sawdust ” to clean up . But when it comes to warming the patio , the Solo Stove Tower adds layer of value , with a well overall heating effect and cleaner fuel than propane tower heater . Plus , you get the warm flickering flame that only comes from a Ellen Price Wood burner .
Where to Buy the Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a ware tester and author with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry . He keep his cock box well stocked for build or repair fencing , walls , irrigation system , and equipment on any given daylight . Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest hand tools , lawn - care products , outdoor baron equipment , and other outdoor - living goods .
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Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
