I have a few bio-lite products, I enjoy them but I have to say this device should be made from Stainless steel, no rusting through for sure and the battery pack should 100% be replaceable. Do, I want to buy one of these units? Yes, but I won't do it until they make a product that can stand the test of time. There is no reason other than their desire to see you buy another one as better materials are a selling point that I'm sure many of us would be willing to pay for.
My buddy bought one and I was gonna order one tomorrow. Changed my mind….the battery thing is just another level. Shocking really seeing as it’s so well thought out otherwise.
I have two of them. Love them. The heat output is awesome in the winter. Was 24 degrees Fahrenheit and was super warm. When you have two it's crazy warm
Make a new battery for it. Pretty easy to do especially as you have the old one to harvest the connector. You must really like the fire pit as you have bought another👍🏼
Stumbled across your review here in 2023. I have the original BioLite fire pit and mine also succumb to rust within one season. I contacted BioLite and they sent out a refinishing kit with a wire brush and high heat spray paint that lasted about another year or two, and now the bottom on mine is completely rusted out, but the battery pack is still good. I’ve been looking to see if you can buy just a replacement fire pit itself without having to get the whole set up, eBay might be my friend. It’s nice to see the new BioLite fire pit plus has a different coating, I think I would still completely spray-painted with a high temp paint just to help prevent any future rusting, that seems to be its weakest link specially, if you use it in any type of weather
Good review I just got the plus and hadn’t realized how long ago they started. The enamel coating on mine was flawed which disappointed me but I’m not going to try returning it because I’m in Japan. Guess I’ll have to sand and paint on my own. Also the grill seems slightly too small and doesn’t sit right. Otherwise it does work pretty well.
I nearly bought one tonight but the rust and non-replaceable batteries is a hard no. It should charge itself and take generic 18650 button top batteries.
Love your videoI but hate to be the one to tell you but... Litium Ion batteries only last 3 - 5 years and recycling isn't cost effective so its commonly not done. I can't wait to see where we are going to dump all those batteries from the elcetric cars being made now. Just food for thought.
Agree we need better battery technology Li-ion is not going to be long term carbon neutral, and cost savings of most solar/battery technologies factoring upfront costs over 10 years is usually only 20%
I have 18650 batteries that are fully drained and recharged literally every single day, 365 days a year, that are almost 9 years old, and still have about 90% performance..
@@GospelOutside This firepit does not vent as well as I had hoped. Regarding putting it in the fireplace, there is a warning label not to do it. I'm not sure what the actual risk would be.
The second you plugged in the solar powered cover/ charger into the new fire pit, you probably voided your warranty since the battery is a different size. Might want to check. On a different note you could probably find an after market battery online or with a little math make your own. Lastly, You bought the 1st one probably for the novelty of it. If you have so many issues with the 1st one why purchase the 2nd? You must have SOME positive feedback abut the product.
The handles you installed are on the wrong side. The longer handle goes over the battery per the manual. My bad skimming over the comments. You can easily restore the old rusty one with some black rust proof paint for less than $5. Unfortunately you can't replace the battery but you can still use it as a fire pit.
I double checked I installed correctly, it is the longer handle by the battery as shown installed it just looks shorter because the shroud is longer on that side to space the battery away I guess - again the video is as appropriately installed
I think they can make a hybrid- stainless steel mesh and enamelled ends and legs. Most of the rust on the ones I have seen is most severe on the mesh. I agree, that's too bad about the battery. They are missing an opportunity there. A replaceable battery with a door should be a simple design upgrade that is backward compatible, i.e, you can buy an entire pack to upgrade an older unit or just a battery for 'Version 3' models. Seeing this is a First World problem (this product has little to no application for Third World) I doubt they will fix it. BioLite, are you listening??
Do you clean it after used, it look like you don't like to clean it much, also you can put a little cooking oil alon a towel and rub it on before you store it.
Wow. Nice review. A lot of food for thought there. I was seriously considering a solo bonfire but you need to purchase extra accessories in order to cook on it and the radiant heat I’ve read and heard is not that great. I wanted something portable with a good amount of radiant heat to sit around but the biolite looks like it’s smaller which is ok, but I don’t like the battery which can’t be replaced. If it fails after 3 years, that’s basically having this unit for over 80 dollars a year and then tossing it out. Ugh. Seems dirty, no pun intended. I already know I can repaint it when it rusts but that’s not a great thought as well. I think I’m stuck on the fence again. Hmm, the ease and usability of the biolite or the long lasting solo with higher startup cost for the cooking kit? Hmm any opinions there? Thanks!!!
The battery thing sucks but as far as the rust goes all it would have taken to keep it from getting that rusty would have been to clean it then spray a little bit of glossy high temp bbq paint. You can also still use it as a fire pit or grill with out the fan. If its not stainless steal everything will rust over time especially when blasting it with high heat, part of sustainability is preventative maintenance and fixing what you have(I am not talking about the battery issue). It's only 295 dollars, meaning at that price it is not maintenance free. I don't know why they won't sell replacement batteries but I am sure they are the big chunk of the manufacturing cost. They would probably have to bump up the price a 100 dollars or more to switch to all stainless steel.
2 years. I'm also in Hawaii with a lot of ocean and salt air -- everything rusts here except true stainless steel. The 2.0 does seem to have a coating that may hold up longer than the first one
I have a biolite campstove, battery died, head lamp, the larger batter lantern amd the firepit. I also have the solar panel and solar light. I will say after all the money I invested in Biolite the death of the campstove battery was enough to stop me dead in my tracks. I would not invest another dime. I have gon e through 3 grills for my campstove because they rust beyond use. The battery is a huge issue and not at all sustainable. Done.
Had the same problem. Very disappointed with biolite. I looked after it and used it but if it only lasts 2 years it is expensive and not at all carbon neutral.
Actually he is incorrect the battery does not have a 3 year shelf life it has a recharge shelf life. It can recharge for 800 times from 0 to 100. And then it won't charge to 100 percent it will be around 80 percent.
It's charged via a micro-USB port, not a mini-USB port (4:32), and it's a shame it doesn't use the more modern USB-C port.
I have a few bio-lite products, I enjoy them but I have to say this device should be made from Stainless steel, no rusting through for sure and the battery pack should 100% be replaceable. Do, I want to buy one of these units? Yes, but I won't do it until they make a product that can stand the test of time. There is no reason other than their desire to see you buy another one as better materials are a selling point that I'm sure many of us would be willing to pay for.
Totally agree.
Agree, but I think the price point would be too high in that case. Solo Stove has pure stainless steel but it costs a lot more. I have one too
My buddy bought one and I was gonna order one tomorrow. Changed my mind….the battery thing is just another level. Shocking really seeing as it’s so well thought out otherwise.
I have two of them. Love them. The heat output is awesome in the winter. Was 24 degrees Fahrenheit and was super warm. When you have two it's crazy warm
great review and admire your conscientiousness with unnecessary waste. :)
Make a new battery for it. Pretty easy to do especially as you have the old one to harvest the connector.
You must really like the fire pit as you have bought another👍🏼
Stumbled across your review here in 2023. I have the original BioLite fire pit and mine also succumb to rust within one season. I contacted BioLite and they sent out a refinishing kit with a wire brush and high heat spray paint that lasted about another year or two, and now the bottom on mine is completely rusted out, but the battery pack is still good. I’ve been looking to see if you can buy just a replacement fire pit itself without having to get the whole set up, eBay might be my friend. It’s nice to see the new BioLite fire pit plus has a different coating, I think I would still completely spray-painted with a high temp paint just to help prevent any future rusting, that seems to be its weakest link specially, if you use it in any type of weather
Good review I just got the plus and hadn’t realized how long ago they started. The enamel coating on mine was flawed which disappointed me but I’m not going to try returning it because I’m in Japan. Guess I’ll have to sand and paint on my own. Also the grill seems slightly too small and doesn’t sit right. Otherwise it does work pretty well.
I nearly bought one tonight but the rust and non-replaceable batteries is a hard no. It should charge itself and take generic 18650 button top batteries.
Couldnt you take it to a battery place and have them replace the battery with something else?
Unbelievable that you cannot replace the battery on this thing. So basically have to spend 300 dollars on a new firepit every 2-3 years? No thanks.
Costco had them for $80
Love your videoI but hate to be the one to tell you but... Litium Ion batteries only last 3 - 5 years and recycling isn't cost effective so its commonly not done.
I can't wait to see where we are going to dump all those batteries from the elcetric cars being made now. Just food for thought.
Agree we need better battery technology Li-ion is not going to be long term carbon neutral, and cost savings of most solar/battery technologies factoring upfront costs over 10 years is usually only 20%
I have 18650 batteries that are fully drained and recharged literally every single day, 365 days a year, that are almost 9 years old, and still have about 90% performance..
You should see if you can make a new battery pack for it.🤔
I was wondering how this would work in our existing fireplace in case the power goes out so we can cook.
Hi. After reading your comment, I am wondering the same. Have you gathered any additional info?
@@GospelOutside This firepit does not vent as well as I had hoped. Regarding putting it in the fireplace, there is a warning label not to do it. I'm not sure what the actual risk would be.
The second you plugged in the solar powered cover/ charger into the new fire pit, you probably voided your warranty since the battery is a different size. Might want to check. On a different note you could probably find an after market battery online or with a little math make your own. Lastly, You bought the 1st one probably for the novelty of it. If you have so many issues with the 1st one why purchase the 2nd? You must have SOME positive feedback abut the product.
I think your handles are on backwards- the longer one goes over the battery!
That was the longer one of the two, I’ll double check though thanks for the tip
The handles you installed are on the wrong side. The longer handle goes over the battery per the manual. My bad skimming over the comments. You can easily restore the old rusty one with some black rust proof paint for less than $5. Unfortunately you can't replace the battery but you can still use it as a fire pit.
I double checked I installed correctly, it is the longer handle by the battery as shown installed it just looks shorter because the shroud is longer on that side to space the battery away I guess - again the video is as appropriately installed
Awesome review. Thank you!
I think they can make a hybrid- stainless steel mesh and enamelled ends and legs. Most of the rust on the ones I have seen is most severe on the mesh. I agree, that's too bad about the battery. They are missing an opportunity there. A replaceable battery with a door should be a simple design upgrade that is backward compatible, i.e, you can buy an entire pack to upgrade an older unit or just a battery for 'Version 3' models. Seeing this is a First World problem (this product has little to no application for Third World) I doubt they will fix it. BioLite, are you listening??
Damn, that's a lot of rust! Salt spray in the air from the ocean?
Do you clean it after used, it look like you don't like to clean it much, also you can put a little cooking oil alon a towel and rub it on before you store it.
Wow. Nice review. A lot of food for thought there. I was seriously considering a solo bonfire but you need to purchase extra accessories in order to cook on it and the radiant heat I’ve read and heard is not that great. I wanted something portable with a good amount of radiant heat to sit around but the biolite looks like it’s smaller which is ok, but I don’t like the battery which can’t be replaced. If it fails after 3 years, that’s basically having this unit for over 80 dollars a year and then tossing it out. Ugh. Seems dirty, no pun intended. I already know I can repaint it when it rusts but that’s not a great thought as well. I think I’m stuck on the fence again. Hmm, the ease and usability of the biolite or the long lasting solo with higher startup cost for the cooking kit? Hmm any opinions there? Thanks!!!
Heat kills batteries, I’d put extra heat shield on the back of battery
I think I’m going to do this.
your handles are on backwards. long one goes on battery side.
Already checked this that is the long one on the battery side, it looks shorted because it is recessed
is the fan actually necessary? seems with the amount of air openings it should perform at least as well as a solo stove.
Yes, the convection pattern of the heat is not like solo stove because there’s so many holes, the fan blows through a central pipe
The battery thing sucks but as far as the rust goes all it would have taken to keep it from getting that rusty would have been to clean it then spray a little bit of glossy high temp bbq paint. You can also still use it as a fire pit or grill with out the fan. If its not stainless steal everything will rust over time especially when blasting it with high heat, part of sustainability is preventative maintenance and fixing what you have(I am not talking about the battery issue). It's only 295 dollars, meaning at that price it is not maintenance free. I don't know why they won't sell replacement batteries but I am sure they are the big chunk of the manufacturing cost. They would probably have to bump up the price a 100 dollars or more to switch to all stainless steel.
How’s the fire pit going? Still in two minds
We use it for beach BBQ excursions so it's still running well. It's nice for its ultra portability.
I found this very annoying also. They should at least let you replace the battery
How long did it take for the original to start rusting and do you think the 2.0 will hold up?
2 years. I'm also in Hawaii with a lot of ocean and salt air -- everything rusts here except true stainless steel. The 2.0 does seem to have a coating that may hold up longer than the first one
@@TheChanClanLife has the 2.0 started rusting at all?
I have a biolite campstove, battery died, head lamp, the larger batter lantern amd the firepit. I also have the solar panel and solar light. I will say after all the money I invested in Biolite the death of the campstove battery was enough to stop me dead in my tracks. I would not invest another dime. I have gon e through 3 grills for my campstove because they rust beyond use. The battery is a huge issue and not at all sustainable. Done.
Had the same problem. Very disappointed with biolite. I looked after it and used it but if it only lasts 2 years it is expensive and not at all carbon neutral.
What part of any wood burning / plastic burning fire pit do you think is carbon neutral on our planet btw?
@@box2519 Good point, well made! I do still like the Company philosophy.
@@box2519 To update the above, they provided me with a new battery unit.
@@box2519 ua-cam.com/video/AD5WDanuLWM/v-deo.html
Actually he is incorrect the battery does not have a 3 year shelf life it has a recharge shelf life. It can recharge for 800 times from 0 to 100. And then it won't charge to 100 percent it will be around 80 percent.
Not an X-ray mesh!
I've been comparing smoke-less firepits, thanks for letting us know BioLite is using planned obsolescence 🤨
Dude just replace the battery! What a sook!
Still no thermo electric generator? Lol. Product is a joke
No need for generator as nobody is going to take this backpacking. Haha
The camp stove has one
Probably true
This needs thermo charging before I buy
The thermo charging is a gimmick. I actually use and like the firepit more than the campstove.