Homemade Solo Style Fire Pit/Stove

I have been tinkering with homemade wood gasifier stoves made out of soup cans for hiking. It has been so successful that I decided to try making a large model in the vein of the Solo backyard fire pits that have been popular online.

I am not an expert on the physics of how these work, but in a nutshell a wood gasifier burns wood and channels superheated air to the ports around the rim. This air ignites the escaping wood gasses that usually drift away as/with smoke. When made and operated correctly these stoves produce no smoke and burn fuel efficiently, and pretty much completely...only powder typically remains if left to self-extinguish.

For this project I had a leftover helium tank from a birthday party to start with.

Helium or Propane Tank

Steel Bain Marie Pot (found online or at restaurant/cooking supply stores)

Angle grinder with cutting and flap wheels

Drill and Bits

I took an old empty Helium tank and marked a circle on the bottom that was the diameter of the Bain Marie Pot bottom. Using an angle grinder and cutting wheel I cut out the hole. I had to use a flap wheel to size it so that the entire Bain Marie Pot would slide all the way in with the lip of the pot sealing to the tank.

Draw a line around the lower edge of the tank. Divide the line for your vent hole centers. I went with 32 holes for the "side rim" and 16 additional holes on the "bottom rim".

Center punch the holes. Drill pilot holes then make the vents with a Step Bit. I drilled the main ring to 1/2" and the bottom ring to 3/4".

Now you have to ventilate the bottom of the Bain Marie Pot and drill the gas vents in a ring around the top.

Much like with the Tank...draw your line and divide it for your hole centers. I made 36 gas port holes along the top. The bottom can be vented with any number, size or pattern of holes you desire, just make enough to get a good draft of air up through the bottom. Some people make these with a grate/grill in the bottom vs holes.

Note. These Bain Marie pots are Stainless Steel. Drill at low speed and with oil. It was time consuming (but obviously possible) with a hand drill. A drill press would have been easier.

I used alternating 1/4" and 5/8" bits for the gas ports and assorted (pretty much random) sizes on the bottom.

Now all you need to do is slide the Bain Marie Pot into the Tank till seated.

Fill the inner chamber with thumb sized (or slightly larger) pieces of dry wood up to, but avoid going over, the gas ports.

Light from the top. I use a cotton round dipped in wax or cotton balls smeared in petroleum jelly as starters.

Let it burn till you see the gas ports emitting tongues of flame. Once a bed of coals is established in the bottom it's easier to generate more wood gas by feeing in fresh fuel. Feed the fire gradually to maintain a balance of fresh wood and strong gas port burn. If you overfeed with fresh wood the ports may stop and you may get some smoke. Strong winds may effect performance.

Enjoy!