I’m in Canada and ordered the solo stove from the US. It’s solid and I’m just going to say, that the heat reflection can be a bit different between pellets and mini hardwood. I don’t regret a minute of having purchased this because it’s superior engineering and that crappity knock off would never find its way on my table. Do ir right, or don’t do it at all. ❤
Kingsford charcoal chimney starter for 14.99 is by far the cheapest and best heat output. You turn it upside-down with the holes being at the top, it controls the fire and heats the stainless steel far better without soot or at least not a ton. Cheapest and it fits the Mesa Solo XL perfectly.
Completely agree. I also like the experience of just having the open flame better. That's not enough of a performance increase to make me want to ruin the esthetics.
I'm curious, about 3 months before you made this video, you tested and preferred the East Oak over the Solo Mesa XL. Your subsequent videos all have hit on what I consider the weakness of the East Oak, which is a lack of accessories. Now that you've had this form factor a while and tested out cooking and deflector, would you choose differently? Also, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on how these would work when put on the ground with 2 to 4 people sitting around it. Would either the East Oak or the Mesa XL provide any warmth and how would the deflector impact it? Thanks for the videos, nice to see these in action.
Thank you for watching the videos and for your comment. After doing all the videos so far, I would say that the performance of the East Oak still stands out among tabletop fire pits alone. It puts out a great amount of heat, along with all the other positives mentioned in the video. I do wish it had more accessories, and maybe they will come out with a heat deflector in the future. In terms of versatility, the East Oak is outmatched by the Mesa XL for cooking, accessories, and camping. Also, great video idea-I might have to do a video on that and see if the East Oak can keep up with the Mesa XL without a heat deflector.
@@Homedadgriff Thanks for the reply and future video possibility. Can you clarify why the East Oak is outmatched for camping? Is it the size/weight and portability or?
Just that you can use the Mesa XL as a camping stove to cook and boil water on. Both the East Oak and the Mesa XL are very portable, but the Mesa XL is lighter and more compact and would give you more room in your backpack.
The simple safety of the Solo version is a major factor that might not show up under the heat results but can't be ignored. The thought of a drunk friend bumping the table when they stand and someone getting burned won't look good on an insurance claim.
Valid point, but I will say the outside temperature was quite a bit warmer than the starting point on the cool pan. That being said, I believe the starting point being within 2 degrees will not make much difference after the 10-minute mark. It is hard to get the exact same temperature to start, but I tried my best to get it as close as possible.
@@Homedadgriff Good Points and honestly for me being within a degree or two seems like about the same expectation. I personally would go wtih the solo because of sturdiness and not blocking the view of the flame as much as the cheap one!
Valid point, but I will say the outside temperature was quite a bit warmer than the starting point on the cool pan. That being said, I believe the starting point being within 2 degrees will not make much difference after the 10-minute mark. It is hard to get the exact same temperature to start, but I tried my best to get it as close as possible.
You’re right I just looked all around the web. I even looked on Amazon. I didn’t see one anywhere. There’s a chance it may fit, but I can’t confirm since I don’t have one.
I’m in Canada and ordered the solo stove from the US. It’s solid and I’m just going to say, that the heat reflection can be a bit different between pellets and mini hardwood. I don’t regret a minute of having purchased this because it’s superior engineering and that crappity knock off would never find its way on my table. Do ir right, or don’t do it at all. ❤
Good deal i am glad you like it.
Kingsford charcoal chimney starter for 14.99 is by far the cheapest and best heat output. You turn it upside-down with the holes being at the top, it controls the fire and heats the stainless steel far better without soot or at least not a ton. Cheapest and it fits the Mesa Solo XL perfectly.
Thanks for sharing
I’d love to see the same test with the charcoal starter
Looking at the numbers...In my opinion the increase in heat with the deflectors is not enough to spend the money on either.
I’m glad the video helped you figure out if it was worth it to you or not.
Completely agree. I also like the experience of just having the open flame better. That's not enough of a performance increase to make me want to ruin the esthetics.
Good job. The experience one looks so much better. I would be worried about the cheap one with kids around! Thanks for the information
Glad it was helpful!
14” aluminum pizza pan and a tomato garden basket cut down would come in under $30 and give you greater coverage
I would just be worried about stability
I'm curious, about 3 months before you made this video, you tested and preferred the East Oak over the Solo Mesa XL. Your subsequent videos all have hit on what I consider the weakness of the East Oak, which is a lack of accessories. Now that you've had this form factor a while and tested out cooking and deflector, would you choose differently? Also, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on how these would work when put on the ground with 2 to 4 people sitting around it. Would either the East Oak or the Mesa XL provide any warmth and how would the deflector impact it? Thanks for the videos, nice to see these in action.
Thank you for watching the videos and for your comment. After doing all the videos so far, I would say that the performance of the East Oak still stands out among tabletop fire pits alone. It puts out a great amount of heat, along with all the other positives mentioned in the video. I do wish it had more accessories, and maybe they will come out with a heat deflector in the future. In terms of versatility, the East Oak is outmatched by the Mesa XL for cooking, accessories, and camping. Also, great video idea-I might have to do a video on that and see if the East Oak can keep up with the Mesa XL without a heat deflector.
@@Homedadgriff Thanks for the reply and future video possibility. Can you clarify why the East Oak is outmatched for camping? Is it the size/weight and portability or?
Just that you can use the Mesa XL as a camping stove to cook and boil water on. Both the East Oak and the Mesa XL are very portable, but the Mesa XL is lighter and more compact and would give you more room in your backpack.
The simple safety of the Solo version is a major factor that might not show up under the heat results but can't be ignored. The thought of a drunk friend bumping the table when they stand and someone getting burned won't look good on an insurance claim.
I 100% agree
Shake test, your face = Priceless 😂.. thank you for you review. I was going to buy that wobbly one.
No problem I’m glad it was helpful. The face of disappointment lol.
I agree with everything you say exept for preformance because the cheap one the pan started out 2 degrees warmer so not a true comparison.
Valid point, but I will say the outside temperature was quite a bit warmer than the starting point on the cool pan. That being said, I believe the starting point being within 2 degrees will not make much difference after the 10-minute mark. It is hard to get the exact same temperature to start, but I tried my best to get it as close as possible.
@@Homedadgriff Good Points and honestly for me being within a degree or two seems like about the same expectation. I personally would go wtih the solo because of sturdiness and not blocking the view of the flame as much as the cheap one!
The increase in heat for the cheap one is due to starting with a 2 degree higher temperature. So subtract 2 degrees and you get 89 and 90
Valid point, but I will say the outside temperature was quite a bit warmer than the starting point on the cool pan. That being said, I believe the starting point being within 2 degrees will not make much difference after the 10-minute mark. It is hard to get the exact same temperature to start, but I tried my best to get it as close as possible.
@@Homedadgriff id say it was within margin of error
Would the Solo deflector work on a East Oak table top?
Unfortunately, no it doesn’t fit. I wish it did. I’m hoping East Oak comes out with one for that soon.
@@Homedadgriff Rats, I was hoping it just might work but I guess not. Thanks for confirming it!
Does it fit also to the campfire-model?
This specific one does not but solo stove does make one for the campfire
@@Homedadgriff Hi, as far as I know they don't. On their homepage just for Mesa, Ranger, Bonfire and Yukon..:-/
You’re right I just looked all around the web. I even looked on Amazon. I didn’t see one anywhere. There’s a chance it may fit, but I can’t confirm since I don’t have one.