That non contact IR thermometer measures the average temperature over an area that increases in size the further you are from the object. Metals are generally highly IR reflective, so you're more likely measuring the temperature of the IR spectrum reflections than the pan lid. Put PVC tape on the lid to get an accurate reading. But you have to be close enough that the entire field of view is filled with the tape. At which point you might as well use a contact thermometer.

I’ve been a solo fan and user/consumer since the beginning and have actually conceived this idea of heat shield then watched so many diy heat shields through FB groups and KZfaq. It’s not that I’ve been opposed to the heat shield, it’s just justifying the cost. But I think now, after watching your presentation, I’m thoroughly convinced

Great video as always. What a difference.

Thanks for the review very nice video i definitely getting one for mine now

thank you for sharing. good review

Nice product, well displayed 👌🏻

I am buying this accessory ASAP!

Thanks for the review. We were gifted a Solo Bonfire, and while the "smokeless" aspect is nice, we were disappointed with the amount of heat we felt while sitting around it. I wondered if these heat deflectors are worthwhile, so this was a great video for me. Based on your feedback, I used your link to purchase one. Thanks! PS. I originally found your channel for home automation info. Fun stuff!

I use the same torch to get my fires going as well….love it

Just received my solo stove bonfire 2.0 this evening, got all the accessories including the heat deflector, can’t wait to test it out tomorrow night

It works at deflecting the heat, but just like all gasifier stoves, large and small, as soon as you place anything across the top, such as a pot or this deflector, the gasification stops and the stove starts smoking, which can be seen in this video.

I have the deflector & rather than BENDING THE RETAINER, I solved the issue by slight "springing" the leg to allow the "clip" to easily engage; which made the connection of the legs very secure🙂😍 (releasing the same way) Beyond that "technical issue", I CONCUR with his demonstrated experience. To augment, I was amazed at the radiated heat during the ending coals. Went back to read the directions; which indicated a large fire to generate "bed of coals", leaving a shiny defector for more efficiency! My 1st experience, Bonfire before instructions, was sooty and as in this link. Amazing! Now would like a Deflector for my Solo Campfire stove?

We purchased our Bonfire stove 1/22 we really enjoy the quality of fire it produces, loving it, however realistically doesn’t provide the heat you really need to stay warm on the really cold nights, shorty after noticing this last year I noticed solo came out with the deflector, today my wife purchased the deflector for our Bonfire stove, I seen your video and appreciate how you were able to show the different temps, before, without the deflector and with the deflector! Can’t wait to try it out! The only thing I wish it wasn’t so expensive $$ Great video! 👍🏻

exellent review thank you.

The pot lids made me give you a like. Keep up the good work.

Great video. Though I have Breeo, it was helpful. The heat deflector actually works. Even on breezy days, I still get more heat toward body.

Glad you reviewed this, as I trust your thoughts... I've mentioned it before, but I'm sort of over Solo Stove.. (coming from original kick starter contributor) too many product releases and "Sales" .. they update stuff too quickly, as if early buyers are the testers.. and pricing is out of hand... but my solo stove sits in the middle of some low chairs, so there is almost no heat felt... Maybe this would be worth it... Just wish for the price it was designed better.. folding lockable legs for easy storage would be nice, and have it so it can fit under the cover...

Thanks for the video. Always great content. I’ve considered purchasing a Solo. They’re quite expensive; however, the quality appears to support the price. That said, the price now seems further excessive given an accessory purchase is apparently needed for it to sufficiently heat the people sitting around it.

Can you tell us what the device is called that was connected to the propane tank that you started the fire with and possibly a link to purchase? Thanks.

What is the fire starter gizmo? Have a link? Good info I like the way you tested the deflector. -- EARNED a new subscriber.

Found the perfect heat deflector for my Mesa that still fits in my wrought iron patio table . . . 15inch hub cap (from a Buick) 😂 at the local junk yard. Vented the top and added some legs. And we are toasty in the chilly evenings now

Brilliant

I have a similar stove not this brand. It came with a raised cooking ring. Saw these deflectors for sale and thought what a great idea. But didn’t like the price and not my brand. Fast Forward we have large stainless steel bowels for harvest season and large amount of food processing. Works great. Either way bowl up or down. However much heat you want going out or to your feet.

Thanks for the video. Someone in a comment to a comment said that the deflector stops the gasification process, and the fire will now smoke. Do you find that to be the case? I can see some smoke in the video.

Do you think this would work on top of a propane firepit? I live in a city and we're not allowed any kind of wood fires, only propane.

I have the Solo Bonfire with the heat deflector. Noticed the exact same advantages of warming a much larger area evenly with the deflector. Another advantage is you sit further away from the firepit and less smoke smell on your cloths. Feels like you have the much larger firepit; while, using less wood. I leave the legs connected instead of removing them for storage.

Does the grill top and hub work similarly when they are on to deflect the heat?

Funny you should say washing machine tub. I built my washing machine tub into a firepit 6 years ago...its still going strong. Ironically I bought a Solostove Grill Top + Hub for my washing machine tub and made a custom attachment out of $10 worth of mild steel. I used the grill quite a lot but one day decided to buy a mild steel round that was 22" in diameter and placed it atop the Hub (which is an 18" riser). The amound of ambient heat went up a MASSIVE amount. Its now my most used accessory. All in, my washing machine tub firepit cost me $300...with 2/3 of the cost residing in the Solostove stainless Hub riser and cast iron griddle. Which, including all of the accessories, is still FAR less than a base model Solostove pit with no accessories. Also I disagree with your assertion that a washing machine tub is not a smokeless/gassifier pit....mine works really good at cutting down smoke because I installed a central, centered, heat exchanger again out of thick mild steel. As a result it circulates the air wonderfully and extreme heat in the heat exchanger cover burn off everything before it leaves the pit. So the only question remaining is whether my thick steel tub will last as long as the Solostove's stainless pit. It may...or may not...and that will be the difference in whether it makes sense to go one way versus the other...oh and of course the time I spent putting mine together versus just opening the Solostove box and using it.

what a great idea. It seems so simple though, I cannot believe I haven't seen a solar heat deflector before now.

Did you make the tool used to light the fire?

I bought the solo stove after your first video but I got the deflector right away and it’s night and day with it installed. I hate the design with those tabs though, silo stove could do way better! No way I’m taking it apart again so the bag is useless

Which solo stove is this? Model or size? Thank you.

That’s pretty slick

I wonder if the deflector would fit the cheaper Ozark Trail fire pit. Probably not, but it would be cool if it did. Or maybe DIY a reflector from an aluminum trash can lid, or large cooking or pizza tray.

Any wind issues? Lifting the deflector

Nice

I have the heat deflector for my Yukon. You can definitely feel it in your shins and waist although you have to sit kind of close. Do you think if the top was a much wider radius it would allow you to sit a little further back?

I don't need gloves........let me get my gloves 😅😅😅😊 Great review 👏

Problem is, the emissivity level of the reflective surface on your pot lids negate the measurement. Place some wide masking tape on the surface of the objects you''re measuring for a more accurate measurement. Measuring the surface temperature of a reflectant often takes the temperature of the IR bouncing off from the source.

Cool

Im thinking you have the wrong deflector looks like you have the one for the next size fire pit, i own one and love it by the way

@3:08 JETSONS! 😆👍

a reflective surface doesnt work with a IR thermometer, because it reflects IR rather than absorbing and re-emitting it as heat. just like the heat reflector does.

I have a small fire table that runs off propane. Ive been thinking about building a heat deflector for a while now. Figured id grab an old symbol from a pawn shop. I put it off because I thought it would be a safety hazard with kids....but i guess they'll figure it out

A way more effective design would simply be a "outdoor cosy heater" to sit on litttle gas burners, but made way bigger.

I can’t explain the price. $179 is outrageous

I feel like it's a missed opportunity to have cupholders on the deflector so you can keep your drinks warm too

The temperature gun measures infrared energy. The pot lids you are using are highly reflective and will reflect infrared energy much like they reflect visible light. This is why the black, matte, knob is better at representing the true temperature. An easy way to more accurately measure the surface temperature of a reflective surface using infrared is to place a patch of black electrical tape on your test surface and check the temperature there. Look up emissivity if you want to learn more about infrared temperature measurements on reflective surfaces.

Do you think a frying pan would work on top 🤔 Trying to avoid buying more than one of these pricey add ons.

I’m sure it does its job effectively but it looks like the slightest nudge would knock it off.

A 350 stove that requires a 280 dollar accessory

For the price I'll just have an old fashion fire

The design of this is going to make putting wood inside even harder.

You should NEVER burn dryer lint. Not very eco.

Nice product improvement, but not for me. At least not at that price.

The price point on these things are ourageous. A metal deflec w/ 3 little legs...for the yukon $235..unreal

Uses the torch for crack, weeds, and campfires? 😂

Yeah I got the Walmart knock off which works great but yeah not much heat for my guest

I am going to build my heat deflector with a pizza pan. I just can't justify paying the price they want for what it is.

It’s great for a season and then it becomes soft as aluminum foil.

Get yourself a thermal imaging camera. Then stand 10 feet away and watch the flows of heat

A gentle reminder that physics cannot be defied, ever. It can be cheated, lied to, spat upon, called bad names, misdirected, misled, beaten, bloodied, deformed, reheated, burnt, scarred, battleworn - but never defied…

Last!

$1,000 says this is Sam Saluk’s dad.

One safety comment. A heat deflector directs some of the flame horizontally. Not always visible. I noticed you walked right next to pit, and then a flame was seen. I tell people to never walk past the pit.

Now...if the deflector didn't come as an option that costs as much as the stove itself. My 5'1" wife won't even come out to our Bonfire b/c she can't feel any heat. And I don't want to spend $200!!!! on a flimsy piece of tin.

Why does it defy physics?

I'm a little irritated. Infrared measurements do not work accurately on metallic and shiny surfaces. I wouldn't trust the results from such a cheap device. This should have been noticed because both pot lids have different temperatures before the measurement. They should have been exactly the same before the test, right?

Physics can’t be defied. 😊

Nice click-bait tag line. What exactly is impossible or how does a metal plate above a fire, reflecting heat, defy physics? What defies physics is your use of the IR thermometer on a shiny metal surface. That's not how an IR thermometer is supposed to be used.