Last Updated on July 9, 2023
This post is an open thread and contains affiliate links.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated for 2023.
As spring approaches summer, the temperatures start to go from cool to hot. Depending on where you live, that switch can flip rather dramatically. In my neck of the woods, it’s not uncommon to see stretches with daytime temperatures in the 80s by early June, and even the 90s on occasion. Your mileage may vary, though, and for you June could mean 60s or it could mean 100s.
As hot as summer days can be, nights can still be cool, or at least mild. I see my share of evenings in the 50s and 60s in early summer. While sometimes things can get more oppressive in July and August, by September nighttime temperatures start to turn more mild again.
Even after a hot day, cool evening temperatures make for great fire weather. There is something calming about sitting around a fire with close friends and family after a long day, talking about anything and nothing, staring into the flames and feeling like the world is far away. Sometimes it happens at a campground, and I also like being able to enjoy a fire pit in the backyard.
Aldi has sold several backyard fire options in recent years, including gas fire pits, fire tables, and fire rings. Aldi has also previously sold portable fire pits. Aldi is now selling not just a fire pit, but a stainless steel one.
What We Know:
The Belavi Stainless Steel Portable Fire Pit (Product Code: 706517) is an Aldi Find, which means it’s only in stores for a limited time. Once it’s sold out, you won’t be able to find it in stores anymore. Aldi US doesn’t currently ship products online, so if you can’t find it in your local store or stores, you’re out of luck until Aldi brings it back. And the supermarket doesn’t always bring products back, especially if they don’t sell well.
This fire pit cost $119.99 in May of 2023, which is less than the $199 it went for in May of 2022. It’s an example of Aldi quietly dropping prices on certain Aldi Finds. That’s the lowest price I can currently find on a pit like this one. Solo, for example, is a popular fire pit maker whose different versions currently run from $220 to over $500.
As far as we can tell, this product made its debut at Aldi in 2022. We haven’t seen it before.
The pit comes with a 2-year warranty, backed by the GHP Group. GHP makes a number of grills, smokers, and other outdoor accessories, including grills under the Dyna-Glo brand. The company has supplied Aldi with a number of grills, heaters, and fire pits over the years.
According to Aldi, the pit’s features include:
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Cleanair smoke free technology that reduces up to 70% of smoke
- A raised design that allows for use on most surfaces
- A convenient carry bag that is included
- Dimensions of 19.5″ x 19.5″ x 14.05″
What We Don’t Know:
We haven’t tested this specific fire pit, although we have tested other Aldi pits — including those made by Dyna-Glo — and have found them to be competent. We’ve also created this open thread so that users could share their experiences.
Do you have experience with this stainless steel fire pit? Let us know in the comments.
I’m new to the world of Aldi, and was excited when I saw this in the ad. Thank you for providing the dimensions, I was having a time trying to find them. Honestly I was hoping this would be a better deal. At $199, Solo stove is $220 for their 20 inch model.
In looking at both the Solo and Aldi brand, the biggest difference is you have to purchase the stand for the Solo separately as the info on the Aldi pit indicates it has a raised bottom that allows it it to be used on any surface. Not much of a price difference between tho two currently with Solo offering an additional $10 off coupon.
Looked at Solo as well. By the time we purchased the stand, the bag, and the lid…we were in almost $350. Cost per use sealed it. We went with Aldi’s pit, and look forward to trying it out!
Our Aldi dropped its price to $99
What location ?
Heads up. They hadn’t change the tags yet at mine but this dropped to $99.99 today
Just found the fie pit at Rhinelander, WI for 99.99! Quite a deal, with the Solostove you have to purchase a case for extra $30 and a stand for $50. The Aldi comes with all of that. Currently reduced for clearance. Picked one up, haven’t used it yet, but concept similar to Solostove with secondary air inlet burner at the top. Expect it to work as good as Solo, but currently quite a clearance deal. Might try tomorrow as temp. currently is 95! Send me some hot dogs to trial!
Aj from the Northwoods of WI.
I just scored one today at my local Aldi in Cypress TX. For $99. They only had 4. My hubby is going to be very happy!
As of June 29 the price is $99
I recently saw this at my Aldi on sale for $99
Bought this firepit yesterday. In assembling everything went well. However there is quite a bit of play between the stand and the unit, allowing the unit to slide around on the stand. It seems like the stand should fit better to keep the unit from sliding around on it. If I come up with a fix I will post.
I got the aldi knock off for 99. Definitely doesn’t work as well as the solo, double wall tech burns hotter but no convection either the air design, but still it is attractive and a good deal. The top definitely doesn’t fit tight to the base.
Turn the base over you have it placed wrong
They still have them in my local Aldi. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the $. Has anyone used it yet?
Watch for a markdown. Just picked one up for 100.
Heads up. They hadn’t change the tags yet at mine but this dropped to $99.99 today
Currently clearanced at$99 at Aldi in Rhinelander, Wi. Just bought, too hot to try today, maybe tomorrow, but concept looks similar to Solostove.
Aj, Northwoods, WI, Happy Late Father’s Day
Okay I found a fix. On the bottom of the unit there are 4 metal tabs that hang down. If your unit fits loosely on the base, bend the four tabs outward. Be careful with them and make sure that you bend each one the same amount. Keep doing this until when when you place the unit on the base there is only a little side to side movement.
Works great! Good updraft and small amount of smoke. Quality of the stainless steel will take time to determine. Paid $99
Mine is smoking a lot …. What do I do?
Just picked one up today. Seems decent and best part, marked down to $100. Been wanting a solo but couldn’t justify price. For 100, I think it’s definitely worth it. Cant wait to try it!
Where dud you get it marked down? Its not marked down in my store?
Pottsville Pa
They hadn’t change the tags yet at mine but this dropped to $99.99 today
Try today as we saw over 7 for $99 at Aldi, Rhinelander, WI
Was just going to buy a Solo for just a bit more, but my Aldi dropped the price to $70, so I snatched one up!
Haven’t used it yet, but I notice it doesn’t have quite the same airflow technology as Solo.
Even if it works half as well as Solo, it will be worth it, for this price.
Where are you that it was 70.00?
I have reviewed other smokeless pits and they have a grate in the bottom that helps you clean out the ash . Just curious how everyone cleans their stove out? Do you have to pick the pit up and dump? Maybe you use a fireplace shovel? Is there a grate I can purchase ?
Hello Jennifer: May I ask what location the Aldi was that you purchased your fire pit for $70.00 was? Thank you.
Just bought one, used it last night. The high walls make for an easier, quicker lighting experience. The airflow technology is not the same as the solo, but the fire was better than my old square pit- more even, more intense, easier to maintain, longer with fewer loges, and significantly less smoke, didn’t even feel like I NEEDED to shower the smoke off. Great deal for the $100 price.
So far so good. Ez to put together. Works. Paid $99.99 June 15.
Central Indiana. Was marked $99.99 and asked if she could do $80. Didn’t even flinch and adjusted price. I should have asked for $70 but didn’t want to push it!
I just picked up one for $64.99 today! Price was still posted as $199 but I asked for a price check!
Interesting. Do they check lowest price in surrounding stores?
Hello Susie: May I ask what location your Aldi store is that you purchased your fire pit for $64.99. Thank you.
I own a Solo stove Bonfire and just purchased the Aldi for 99.99 in Queensbury, NY. Used the Aldi stove last night and loved it. The fire bowl is not as tall as the Solo, nor is there a directing ring on top of the bowl. Because of this, you can actually look into the bowl while sitting around the fire and see the burning embers, something that you can’t do with the Solo stove unless you are standing up and looking down into the bowl. The Aldi has a gap all the way around the inside of the rim that provides air for the secondary burn (which is what reduces the amount of smoke produced by the fire), while the Solo has small holes along the inside rim. Both stoves do indeed create a secondary burn, but the Aldi appears more natural, as the Solo looks like the flame from a gas burner on a kitchen stove. The finish on both stoves is nicely done, I do like that you can disassemble the Aldi’s bottom plate for better cleaning. Both stoves did a great job in completely burning the wood used for the campfire. I also felt the Aldi was easier to load and start the fire in. Sorry I didn’t wait a year for Aldi to make this.
Thanks Bob! Most helpful review that I’ve seen so far.
Agreed! Thank you for this review
Thanks for the info, I have a solo stove which I bought for the lock down but for $99 I bought one for a gift!
Thanks for the informative review
Appreciate your detailed review. I purchased the aldi firepit today and reading reviews before unboxing. It appears I got a good deal for $119.
You’re welcome.
Still feel the same way???
I am still very happy with the Aldi stove. Had a fire in it just last night. The key to cutting down the amount of smoke produced is to keep the firewood below the rim of the bowl. I also bought a 20” pizza pan for 10 bucks that allows the stove to be used as a serving table and keeps the bowl dry.
I just picked up one for $100. It looks to be the exact same as the Hot Spot explorer that is available only online at Home Depot. It will probably be in store this fall. There are accessories available, spark screen, lid/cover and a grill
Thanks for that information.
Good info for accessories!!
Is the stove suppose to click into the base?
No, it rests on top of the base. There are small tabs that keep the stove within the rim of the base.
Just picked the last one in the our Missouri store for $49.99. Looking forward to trying it out.
Hi Bob: I recently purchased one at Aldi’s in Plattsburgh, NY. Was second guessing myself wondering if I should have invested in the Solo one instead. May I ask, how do you empty the ashes when done? I was told the Solo stove is much easier to empty ashes. In your opinion, do you feel the Aldi stove is pretty equal to the Solo stove? Thanks so much!
Angela,
To empty the ash, just turn it over and shake vigorously. Any residual ash that is trapped at the rim will fall through to the bottom when you turn the stove upright. The Aldi is easier to clean out compared to the Solo as the Solo has a welded bottom with no place for larger pieces of ash to fall through. I had no problems dumping the ash from the Aldi.
On another note, though these pits are stainless, it is best to keep them out of the weather as they will rust. I notice no discernible difference between the Aldi stainless verses the Solo aside from gauge thickness (the Solo is slightly thicker). I’m hoping to get quite a few seasons out of my Aldi.
Bob: Thank you so much for your prompt reply to my question. May I ask one more. What is the best way to clean the Aldi fire pit? Any certain cleaner or just a damp cloth? Happy 4th and thank you.
Solo recommends using barman’s friend powdered cleaner with a damp rag on the exterior of the fire pit. I’ve wiped mine down with a dry rag before putting it in it’s bag.
I had also bought an aluminum 20” pizza pie pan to use as a cover when I was leaving the fire pit out overnight. Cost 10 bucks, about 8 times less than the solo cover.
Bob I just bought the last pit in the Broken Arrow/Tulsa Ok area 99.99 yesterday July 5. I was wondering do u use any wood or different smelling store bag wood?
I purchased this fire pit at Aldi also but haven’t pulled it out of the box yet. I am curious if this fire pit would be compatible with solo stove accessories? I would love to purchase a spark screen to make it a bit more safer. Not sure if the solo stove screen would fit the Aldi fire pit?
Thanks to Bob for suggesting using a pizza pie pan to use as a cover… genius!!
Maggie,
John had posted that this stove is being sold as the Hot Spot Explorer on the Home Depot website. They have accessories such as a spark arrestor and a grill. Looks like you can order them online.
Thanks Bob!
JUST PURCHASED ONE FOR $99.00 AT ALDI ABERDEEN MD
Waukegan, IL has about 10 of them marked down to $99
Super excited to say I score one for $49!!!!!! Went to our local Aldi in Pearland Tx. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Purchased 2 @ 39.00 each 😏
I bought the Aldi brand a week ago for $75.
Haven’t tried it yet.