My favorite thing about Solo Stoves is how efficient and easy they are to use. After using the stove it’s important to properly clean it out to keep it working and long lasting.
Solo Stove fire pits require routine maintenance, and that includes regular cleanings. Storage and protection also play a role in how clean you can keep your Solo Stove.
Below, we’ll explore how to clean Solo Stove fire pits, as well as what you should avoid doing when cleaning them properly.
What to Avoid
Finally, there are a few things to keep in mind when cleaning your Solo Stove. You don’t want to accidentally damage the fire pit more in the process of trying to maintain it.
Be careful about getting water stuck in the fire pit. The reason that moisture is so bad in a fire pit like this is that ash can build up, and when it mixes with water and cools, it can create a sort of cement-like substance that will harden and stick to the surface. This will be a pain to clean out.
Therefore, if you use a hose or some other water source to rinse out your Solo Stove, make sure to turn it upside down or on its side to drain and completely dry when you’re done. You should also make sure to clean out any ash with a dry method first.
Keeping the Ash Pan Clean
The ash pan is an important part of every Solo Stove. But if bits of firewood end up in the ash pan, they can cut off airflow to the fire when you use your Solo Stove.
This gets in the way of starting fires and keeping them burning, so you want to avoid using wood pellets in your fires. They tend to fall into the ash pan and get stuck.
Keeping the Pit Clean
There are several steps you can take to keep the fire pit clean and clean it if it gathers residue and soot. First, one way you can generally keep the fire pit cleaner is by avoiding the use of wood that has moisture in it.
Damp wood often leads to smokier flames, which leaves more marks and stains on your fire pit. This makes it harder to clean in the end.
You can also keep your Solo Stove cleaner by regularly emptying its ashes. Ash tends to build up in fire pits, clogging the ash pan. It can also harden up on the surface if left out in the elements and when it gets wet.
Therefore, you should dump out the ashes each time you make a fire after you’re gone and the fire pit is cool again. Solo Stove even recommends using a shop vacuum if you need to thoroughly clean ashes out of the fire pit.
And third, you should cover your Solo Stove when you’re not using it to keep it safe from the elements. This will keep extra dirt and debris from gathering in the pit, as well as rainwater that could damage the surface.
Keeping the Surface Clean
One part of fire pit maintenance that can be difficult is consistently keeping its surface clean and shiny. Solo Stoves are shiny and aesthetically pleasing. However, they do develop a patina over time, which is the goldish blue hue you see on its surface over time as you use it more.
This patina is completely normal and is just a sign that your Solo Stove is correctly broken in. But some Solo Stove owners want to keep the patina from forming. If this is the case, you can keep the fire pit’s surface shiny and clean by regularly polishing it.
Solo Stove recommends using Bar Keepers Friend (view on Amazon) and following these steps to polish your stove:
- Get a rag and wet it until it is damp
- Use the damp rag to apply a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend industrial cleaner onto the outside surface of your Solo Stove
- Rub in the direction of the stainless steel grain
Storing a Solo Stove
Properly storing your Solo Stove is just as important as cleaning it since storage keeps it cleaner than it would be if exposed to the elements. The ideal location for a Solo Stove when not in use is somewhere cool and dry.
This might be inside a closed garage, beneath a patio awning, or on a back deck with coverage from the rain. Either way, make sure that it’s protected from the heat during the summer months, as well as rain, snow, and ice.
How Often Should You Clean a Solo Stove?
It’s recommended to clean the Solo Stove after each use. Once your stove has cooled down enough that it can be touched, you should turn it upside down to dump out any remaining ash.
If there are any tough spots that won’t clear out you can wipe them down the inside with a dry cloth.
After removing the ash the Solo Stove should be stored in an area that’s cool and dry so that it won’t become dirty again or rust.
Following the steps above will help you to care for and extend the lifespan of your Solo Stove.
Related Questions
How to put out a solo stove bonfire?
The best way to put out a Solo Stove bonfire is to wait and let the fire die out on its own. If you’re in a time sensitive situation then a bucket of sand can be used to safely put out the fire without damaging the stove.
Water should not be used to put out the fire because it could damage the metal or collect in the bottom of the ash pan.
What should I do with the ashes on the stove?
The ashes can be emptied out into a garbage bag or compost if you have one nearby. It’s safe and easy to throw the ash in the garbage after each use.
Conclusion
With a few simple tools and a little bit of elbow grease, it’s not too difficult to clean your Solo Stove. It should be cleaned and cared for after every one to two times it’s used.
Make sure to polish it and empty the ash regularly to keep it in tip-top shape and looking brand new!
