Thanks for the content. I just ordered the Mesa XL and I had watched the Solo livestream on the XL comparing pellets to wood on replay and they did about a quarter cup of pellets to the wood burning one and I liked the effect! I'm sure I'll have playing around with mine when it arrives. Like others have mentioned below our local box store sells wood chunks and hardwood pellets at a good price so I'll be going for the low effort option except for maybe some sticks that fall in the yard!
I own the Solo and use both pellets and wood but I buy wood meant for smokers. It's already cut to a perfect size, it's harder and burns longer and can be bought at Walmart for next to nothing. Try it out.
Might want to look at getting the Fuel Pellets from rural king and save some of the funding you use for the Camp Chef pellets. 5.50 for 40lbs is a bargain for the fuel pellets.
Thanks for the video. Tractor supply has a 40 lb bag of pine pellets for $7. This has been pretty consistent over the past 5 years. We use pellets for our privy when we're camping
I was wondering why he was using a $15 20 pound bag of cooking pellets instead of a $5 40 pound bag of heating pellets. Might as well have put his wallet in the fire instead.
If you like playing with your fire then wood chunks are the way to go. A lot more fun. You don’t have to be really careful with your wood chunk sizes either. It’s definitely my preferred way to burn. Pellets work well if you keep them dry.
The one thing you didn't seem to cover was the amount of ash generated by pellets vs wood, which I would be really interested to hear about. We have a Solo Stove Ranger and a Mesa XL and use a combination of fuels including kindling and woolly firelighters to start, kiln dried wood, coffee logs and compressed smokeless logs and find this works great. It might be cool to add some pellets into the mix too - particularly for the Mesa XL which is too small for the coffee logs and smokeless logs. The other thing you need to take into consideration with the fire pits you have bought is their longevity. I am in the UK and first saw a Solo Stove on a caravan park we stay at. The Solo Stoves have been outside, uncovered for three years and are still absolutely fine. Would the other two fire pits stand up to that? Is the grade of steel as good as that used on the Solo Stove. They may well be, I don't have them to compare. Interesting point though that might dictate the price point of each item.
I will say that the pellets do create more ash but not a lot more. As far as longevity we will just have to see, but I’m not too worried about the East Oak. It is made out of the same 304 stainless steel as the solo stove and very solid build. as far as the cheap one as you can expect, it’s very light compared to the other two not sure what it’s made out of but the walls seem to be thin, but again it was only 20 bucks.
I think it comes down to energy density to be completely honest- look at the physical density of the two sides- pellets burn more evenly with less explosive heat, but that wood burn releases more heat and heats a larger area- but for shorter.
Yeah, I have one for the solo that I haven’t opened up yet. I have another one that I think will fit the East oak but also haven’t opened it yet. I’m gonna do a video on it.👍
I agree. I’m using this size and type of stove for a bit of heat and fun flames. My cheap Tomshoo does well with a ash plate upside down over the top. Just make sure you have something underneath so you don’t burn your table.
About how far out can you feel the heat or does it radiate at all? I know it's more for ambiance, not trying to go survival mode (I always shake my head at people who have videos about how they "almost died" in ---60° weather but how 'this one thing' saved them🙄...why not just go back in the house ?🤣 Thanks for the review.
Hi. Can you please tell us hone many cups of the wood pellets it’s full each one. Home nay did you use for east oak and how many cups to fill the solo mesa
Pellets burn more efficient and cleaner, but don’t offer any character with the crackle and what not. I use pellet as to not smoke out the neighborhood.
Yeah, it looks like live in the forest, but it’s a neighborhood that’s not my land behind me but yeah, that lint trick works really well. I do have a pile of wood I need to chop up though. Let’s just say I’m a little lazy.
I think so but I also feel it maximizes the heat in that spot for a hotter burn 🔥 and better chance of starting the fire. I even fill paper towel tubes for very wet conditions
It’s the secondary burn! For example, if you have a candle that has been burning for awhile, blow it out, and then hold a lighter a few inches up in the smoke: it will re-light the candle. Smoke is stuff that just didn’t burn yet.
I always start with pellets and refuel with wood.
Good idea. Thank you for your input.
I agree the pellets seem to be the best choice. Thanks for the info
No problem
Thanks for the content. I just ordered the Mesa XL and I had watched the Solo livestream on the XL comparing pellets to wood on replay and they did about a quarter cup of pellets to the wood burning one and I liked the effect! I'm sure I'll have playing around with mine when it arrives. Like others have mentioned below our local box store sells wood chunks and hardwood pellets at a good price so I'll be going for the low effort option except for maybe some sticks that fall in the yard!
I own the Solo and use both pellets and wood but I buy wood meant for smokers. It's already cut to a perfect size, it's harder and burns longer and can be bought at Walmart for next to nothing. Try it out.
I will have to check that out. Thank you for the info.
exactly what I use
oh cool, thanks for the tip! Which Solo do you have? I got the mesa XL. been eyeying this one, but the Mesa is good, I dont need 2.
@@whoanelly- I also own the Mesa XL. Love it for what it is. Just picked up a box of wood chunks from WallyWorld for $10 last week.
I'm going pellets more time for some crown
Great job! Love it! I think I would like the pellets better too. Easier storage too!
Thank you!
Great video. I have an East Oak and can't wait to use it.
Thank you! Let me know what you think.
That was awesome. I think it would be easier to use the pellets.
Thank you!
Might want to look at getting the Fuel Pellets from rural king and save some of the funding you use for the Camp Chef pellets. 5.50 for 40lbs is a bargain for the fuel pellets.
Thanks for the tip, I'll have to check that out!
Thanks for the video. Tractor supply has a 40 lb bag of pine pellets for $7. This has been pretty consistent over the past 5 years.
We use pellets for our privy when we're camping
Thanks for the info!
Check for deals. Got 40lbs bags of heating pellets for 5 bucks from Lowe’s last weekend. Use them in my solostove Yukon. 👌
wow i would buy every bit they had
@@Homedadgriff I followed your advice and went back this evening. Got them to discount to 3.50 a bag if I bought the rest. Score. 👍
Awesome lucky dog I am jealous
I was wondering why he was using a $15 20 pound bag of cooking pellets instead of a $5 40 pound bag of heating pellets. Might as well have put his wallet in the fire instead.
@@baileymotodon't use those to cook with
If you like playing with your fire then wood chunks are the way to go. A lot more fun. You don’t have to be really careful with your wood chunk sizes either. It’s definitely my preferred way to burn. Pellets work well if you keep them dry.
Thank you for your input. I agree with you on refueling. It's much easier with wood. You do not have to worry about putting out the flame.
Good video
Got to put my camping stove to use. Thanks
Thank you!
The one thing you didn't seem to cover was the amount of ash generated by pellets vs wood, which I would be really interested to hear about. We have a Solo Stove Ranger and a Mesa XL and use a combination of fuels including kindling and woolly firelighters to start, kiln dried wood, coffee logs and compressed smokeless logs and find this works great. It might be cool to add some pellets into the mix too - particularly for the Mesa XL which is too small for the coffee logs and smokeless logs.
The other thing you need to take into consideration with the fire pits you have bought is their longevity. I am in the UK and first saw a Solo Stove on a caravan park we stay at. The Solo Stoves have been outside, uncovered for three years and are still absolutely fine. Would the other two fire pits stand up to that? Is the grade of steel as good as that used on the Solo Stove. They may well be, I don't have them to compare. Interesting point though that might dictate the price point of each item.
I will say that the pellets do create more ash but not a lot more. As far as longevity we will just have to see, but I’m not too worried about the East Oak. It is made out of the same 304 stainless steel as the solo stove and very solid build. as far as the cheap one as you can expect, it’s very light compared to the other two not sure what it’s made out of but the walls seem to be thin, but again it was only 20 bucks.
Nice review. I’m going to try starting with pellets and refueling with wood. Which stove do you like batter, solo or east oak?
My favorite is the East Oak but if you’re looking to do some cooking with your table top fire pit, I would probably recommend the solo stove.
I think it comes down to energy density to be completely honest- look at the physical density of the two sides- pellets burn more evenly with less explosive heat, but that wood burn releases more heat and heats a larger area- but for shorter.
start with the mini duraflame logs! Those burn great in these.
I'll have to try that!
had no idea drier lint worked to start a fire. I think I'll do that depending on what I buy.
Awesome I’m glad that was helpful!
It would be cool if you could measure heat with deflector on solo vs East oak
Yeah, I have one for the solo that I haven’t opened up yet. I have another one that I think will fit the East oak but also haven’t opened it yet. I’m gonna do a video on it.👍
I agree. I’m using this size and type of stove for a bit of heat and fun flames. My cheap Tomshoo does well with a ash plate upside down over the top. Just make sure you have something underneath so you don’t burn your table.
About how far out can you feel the heat or does it radiate at all?
I know it's more for ambiance, not trying to go survival mode (I always shake my head at people who have videos about how they "almost died" in ---60° weather but how 'this one thing' saved them🙄...why not just go back in the house ?🤣
Thanks for the review.
It radiated a good amount of heat out about 3 feet from the fire pit the east oak get the hottest
Hi. Can you please tell us hone many cups of the wood pellets it’s full each one. Home nay did you use for east oak and how many cups to fill the solo mesa
The solo Stove Mesa XL holds about 2.2 pounds of pellets. The East Oak holds 2.75 pounds of pellets with air column installed more without
How is the heat output between pellets and wood chunks?
Both are good but in my opinion, the pellets put out more heat
Awesome videos!
P.S. Has anyone ever told you that you look like Luke Bryan? Lol 🧐
Thank you! Maybe once lol
Best Channel Out!!!
That is awesome thank you!
Pellets are best for these Tabletop fire pits!
Agreed
@@Homedadgriff Just ordered one tonight and a 20lb bag of pellets!
@scupking that’s awesome. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
@@Homedadgriff how do you put it out? Doest seem there is a cover for these. On my Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 I just put the lid on once its down to embers
I just let it burn out completely it can take awhile with pellets
9:32 I like your kido’s corner table! So cute! I’m sure they’ll enjoy eating and playing there
Oh yes, they love that table. It’s a little hub for crafts and everything.
Pellets burn more efficient and cleaner, but don’t offer any character with the crackle and what not. I use pellet as to not smoke out the neighborhood.
👍
Can i use mulch instead??
Never tried it but something to look into. Thanks for the idea.
How often and how much pellets to keep the fire at full burn in the East Oak?
About 1/2 cup to a cup every five minutes or so after it starts to die down
Is there a color change in the body when the burning ends?
The stainless steel has a slight tint change
I would never admit to buying wood on Amazon 😂
ok thanks Tony I have not lost any sleep over it.
Lives in a forrest and buys a box of wood (facepalm)
I like the laundry lint tip 👍
Yeah, it looks like live in the forest, but it’s a neighborhood that’s not my land behind me but yeah, that lint trick works really well. I do have a pile of wood I need to chop up though. Let’s just say I’m a little lazy.
Great job
Thank you!
I put laundry lint in used TP rolls.
I’ll have to try that does it make it burn longer?
I think so but I also feel it maximizes the heat in that spot for a hotter burn 🔥 and better chance of starting the fire. I even fill paper towel tubes for very wet conditions
Thanks for the tip I am going to try it on my next burn
Literally surrounded by wood..."I bought some wood off Amazon" LOL
Yep
He literally explained why and he doesn’t even have to do that? 😂
What about lump coal ?
Not sure I have not tested that yet
If it snuffs out, I just take a lighter to the smoke and re-ignites
Thank you for the information. I’ll definitely have to try it.
It’s the secondary burn! For example, if you have a candle that has been burning for awhile, blow it out, and then hold a lighter a few inches up in the smoke: it will re-light the candle. Smoke is stuff that just didn’t burn yet.
wood in my experience...pellets are too smokey
Clumsy
I guess I am a little clumsy
Look at all that free fuel in the foreground 😅
yep