3 Reasons Your Solo Stove is Smokey (and How to Fix It)

If you own a Solo Stove, you might have experienced the disappointment of a smokey fire. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Several factors can cause the fire to produce smoke. In this article, we’ll explore the three main reasons why your Solo Stove is smokey and how to fix it.

How Solo Stoves are smokeless

The first thing to understand is that Solo Stove smokeless fire pits need to burn hot, which means reaching temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. When the fire is hot enough, it can create a secondary burn, which burns off any remaining smoke before it escapes the stove. However, if the fire is not hot enough, or if there are other issues with the wood or airflow, smoke can escape, causing an unpleasant experience for you and your guests.

Three reasons your Solo Stove is smokey

Let’s get into the top reason you may be experiencing a smoke Solo Stove.

1) Using the wrong kind of wood

One of the most common reasons for a smokey Solo Stove is using the wrong kind of wood. Wet wood creates smoke, even if it’s not visibly damp. Wood recently cut down might seem dry, but it needs time to season, which allows the moisture content to decrease.

Solution: Use dry wood, preferably seasoned or kiln-dried, which has a moisture content below 20%. You can also test your wood by feeling how heavy it is. There’s a noticeable weight difference between wet and dry wood.

2) Too many (or too few) logs

Another reason for a smokey fire is too many or too few logs. Piling logs past the rim of the stove will allow smoke to be released before it can be burned off. On the other hand, too few logs won’t let the fire get hot enough to reach secondary burn.

Solution: Add logs regularly to keep the fire burning hot, but don’t stack them past the rim of the Solo Stove. I usually add a few logs before it seems like they’re needed.

3) Too much ash

Finally, too much ash buildup can prevent fresh air from feeding the fire, which can prevent the fire from burning hot enough to reach secondary burn.

Solution: Regularly clean the ash on the bottom of the Solo Stove to allow fresh air to circulate. A buildup of 1-2 inches is enough to cause issues, so make sure to remove the ash before it gets too high.

Wrapping up

A smokey Solo Stove can be a frustrating experience, but it’s often easily fixable. Remember to use dry wood, add logs regularly, and remove ash buildup to allow for proper airflow. With these tips, you can enjoy a smokeless fire pit experience that the Solo Stove is designed to provide.

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