We also have the solo stove, got the big Yukon before they changed it to a smaller size.
Agreed, this thing eats logs, it burns hot, the sides are not as hot as over the top. Almost so hot it becomes difficult at times to add logs. But the fire is so hot, you can just chuck them in there and not worry about "placement". No surround here either, we just keep an eye on the little ones who come over but my kids know its hot.
I got lucky and have a neighbor who does custom stainless steel work for big buildings. He made me a "sample" lid for it. Fits perfectly with the ring stored on the inside, and lets me cover the fire at night if rain will come before morning.
I also picked up a generic cover from Amazon rather than drop the big dollars on the one that says "SoloStove". Surely not as durable, you can see how faded it has got over just 2 years in the "blazing" Chicagoland sun
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May look at a lighter color one that wont look as bad. We keep this away from the pool area, on the patio by the back door. Having a wood burning fire pit so close to out auto cover just didn't seem like a good idea, so we also have a gas fire pit near the pool, once we have everything put back together, will share some pics of that as well.
