I set my eyes on the Solo Stove Lloyd Fireplace back when it dropped in late 2023. Its sleek mid-century modern design and rare indoor/outdoor flexibility instantly grabbed my attention. As Family Handyman’s go-to Solo Stove expert, I knew I had to get my hands on one, but it was tough to track down after the launch.
Fast-forward to this summer: the Lloyd is finally glowing on my back deck, and let me tell you, it’s pretty stunning in person. Here’s what you need to know about setting it up and putting it to use.
We Tried It
Solo Stove Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel Fireplace
A mid-century modern smokeless fireplace that works indoors and out
What is the Solo Stove Lloyd Fireplace?
With its sleek electroplated steel body and mid-century modern vibes, the Lloyd Fireplace blends retro style with modern function. It runs on clean-burning, smoke-free gel fuel, so it’s safe to use indoors, no vents required.
The Lloyd holds three gel fuel canisters, each crackling like real wood and casting a cozy, flickering glow. There is no ash, no hassle—just ambiance. Whether on your back deck or in a sunroom, the Lloyd is an easy-to-assemble, easy-to-move statement piece that transitions seamlessly from outdoor summer nights to indoor winter mornings.
How We Tested It
The Lloyd Fireplace showed up in a hefty box, everything neatly packed and tightly wrapped in plastic. Once I cut through the wrap, I found the main body, chimney, base and a smaller box holding the burner components.
Assembly took about 20 minutes, and most of that time was spent unpackaging materials. The base, body and chimney snapped together with just a few screws, and in minutes, I had a sleek 44-inch-tall fireplace ready to glow. At just 30 pounds, it’s surprisingly lightweight and easy to move, which is handy if you plan to bring it inside for winter or need to store it away during windy weather.
Next, I popped on four rubber feet to keep it steady and protect our deck. Then, I unboxed the burner insert, glass panel and magnetic-plated snuffer (intended to place the caps back on the canisters and put out the flames). Setting up the interior components was simple, too. The burner and panel just drop into place, no tools required. The snuffer sticks right to the top of the gel canisters for easy extinguishing.
Now for the not-so-great part: mine didn’t come with any gel fuel, even though the product listing says six canisters are included. Luckily, I had some chafing fuel on hand from recent parties. While those standard cans technically fit in the holders, they sit too low, so the flames are smaller and lack that dramatic glow you see in the product photos online.
That said, I’m planning to grab the official Solo Stove gel fuel soon, maybe even the citronella ones, which sound perfect for summer nights on the deck. They’re a bit pricey, though. That said, even with basic chafing fuel, you can hear satisfying crackles of flames. The design of the fireplace seems to amplify the sound, giving it that cozy, wood-burning feel without any chopping required.
The finished product? Gorgeous. The Lloyd brings sophisticated mid-century modern style to our backyard, and we’ve received many compliments when friends come over. Just note there’s no included cover, so we stash it in the garage when it’s not in use to keep it looking sharp.
Would I use it indoors? Maybe in the right space. A sunroom or screened-in porch would be ideal. On hard flooring near an exit? Sure. But with three open flames, I’d steer clear of carpet, clutter, small kids, and high-energy pets. For us, the Lloyd shines brightest outside—no worries about a potential fire hazard, just a warm glow and good vibes.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Lightweight, semi-portable design
- Indoor/outdoor use
- Low maintenance
- Magnetic snuffer included
- Stunning mid-century modern design
- Smoke-free flames
Cons
- Standard chafing fuel doesn’t fit properly
- Pricey fuel refills
- No cover included
Product Comparison: Solo Stove Lloyd vs. Basin
The Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel Fireplace is currently Solo Stove’s only full-sized fireplace. But if you’re looking for a similar effect with the same gel fuel convenience, check out their tabletop fire bowls—like the Basin. It runs on a single gel fuel canister (versus the Lloyd’s three), and while it’s much smaller, it’s designed to sit right on your outdoor table. Added bonus: it delivers a similar cozy vibe at a much lower price point.
Final Verdict
The Solo Stove Lloyd Fireplace delivers when it comes to style and function, with its mid-century modern design and clean-burning gel fuel, it’s stunning and easy to light. It’s truly a standout centerpiece for outdoor gatherings.
Assembly is quick and easy, and its lightweight build makes it portable enough to move around. While the high price of branded refills and the lack of a protective cover are drawbacks, the overall experience is still impressive. It’s best suited for outdoor use, where its flames can safely flicker, and with a little care, it adds a serious design upgrade to any backyard setup.
Where to Buy the Lloyd Fireplace
We Tried It
Solo Stove Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel Fireplace
A sleek indoor/outdoor fireplace that runs on gel fuel
You can shop the Lloyd Fireplace directly from Solo Stove or from various other retailers, such as Home Depot, Wayfair, AllModern and Bespoke Post. Depending on where you look, it’ll typically be listed between $650 and $700.
FAQ
How do you turn on the Solo Stove fireplace?
To ignite the Solo Stove Lloyd Fireplace, simply light the gel fuel canisters. There are no electrical components, such as an on/off switch.
What happened to gel fuel fireplaces?
Gel fireplaces aren’t as readily available as they used to be, as some people tend to prefer more efficient fuel alternatives like bioethanol. There have also been some reported safety concerns with gel fuel, like jetting flames. Such reports are often connected with refilling gel canisters while hot. Refilling gel fuel canisters is not recommended. They are typically designed for one-time use, and refilling them can be dangerous. For these reasons, among others, I prefer to keep my Lloyd Fireplace outside.
Are gel fuel fireplaces safe?
When used correctly, gel fuel fireplaces are generally considered safe. However, they still involve open flames and should be used with caution, especially around children and pets. You should not attempt to refill your gel fuel canisters or leave flames unattended. It’s always important to take standard fire safety measures when handling flammable materials and fire equipment of any kind.
Why You Should Trust Us
We originally launched our Solo Stove review series in response to our readers’ increased interest in Solo Stove fire pits. That series has grown to include a variety of products from the brand. So far, we’ve tested Solo Stove’s Bonfire 2.0, Mesa, pellet adapter, cast iron grill top, Pi Fire pizza oven, Pi Prime pizza oven, Mesa Torch, Tower Patio Heater and more.
As Family Handyman’s resident Solo Stove expert, I am continuously working to test products from Solo Stove to ensure the brand lives up to its online reputation. That way, you can make consumer-informed decisions based on real-life testing before you buy.
The post We Tried Lloyd from Solo Stove: This Indoor/Outdoor Fireplace is Our New BFF appeared first on Family Handyman.
Article source here: We Tried Lloyd from Solo Stove: This Indoor/Outdoor Fireplace is Our New BFF
No comments:
Post a Comment