The Table Top Fire Bowl That Blazes Forth Like a Mini Space Heater

When I lived in a home with a fireplace, I was basically the only person who used it because everyone else loathed the maintenance and cleanup process. Adding and repositioning logs, accidentally smoking the house out (once or twice), then scooping ashes, and remembering to close the flue really put a damper on any romance or mood that comes with having a fireplace at all. Since relocating to a residence without a fireplace, I came across Solo Stove’s Table Top Fire Bowls and wondered how good this tiny fire source would be at replicating a warm and fuzzy, "chestnuts roasting" ambiance. 

Solo Stove Terraflame Geo Table Top Fire Bowl

A solid centerpiece 

Based on the available earthy colors (Black, Graphite, Gray, Sand, and White) and its attractive, artsy facade (available in Geo, Wave, Basin and Element styles), one could safely assume that the Table Top Fire Bowl is meant to reassure people that it is indeed pretty enough (and safe enough) to sit on top of a table. Whether lit or sitting idle on a table, it's a great centerpiece. The bowl ’s outdoor friendly, but the hot weather forced me to limit my testing to indoors. The white bowl I chose came with a small bag of river rocks that filled in the open rim along with a jar of gel fuel with 3 hours of burning power. 

Small but mighty…heavy 

 At 15 pounds, some may find the concrete fire bowl a bit heavy to leisurely lift and relocate. The cork pad on the bottom of the bowl keeps it from sliding. It’s not bolted in place, though: I have shamelessly resorted to scooting it across the hardwood flooring by using a free hand (or foot) as needed.  

And surprisingly hot. 

As someone with workhorse sweat glands and the tendency to quickly (and embarrassingly) overheat, this fire pit has no issue heating up a small room or office. One such space in my home quickly went from feeling comfortable to uncomfortably warm mere minutes after I lit the fire bowl. After removing the gel fuel top with a simple chrome can opener, I used a lighter stick to spark the fire, which got right down to the business of flickering and occasionally crackling. It almost felt like sitting around a campfire. When I was good and toasty and done staring into the fire, I put the fuel lid back on, which immediately extinguished the flame. This is how I used the fire pit every time I lit it, and fortunately encountered no issues in the process. 

Due to its heat output and this city’s current 80-degree temps, I haven’t left the bowl lit for longer than 45 minutes at a time but it still provided approximately seven more substantial fires (each averaging between 15-20 minutes max). 

After it’s all said and burned 

After this brief dalliance with my new fire bowl, I kind of want one in every other room. On one hand, it’s an energy bill-conserver but after you’ve replaced several gallons of gel fuel ($39.99 per six-pack), the costs may even out over time. Your fuel source, your choice! Overall, the Geo Fire Bowl is visually pleasing, doesn’t take up too much space, kicks out an enormous amount of heat and will help you stay cozy on a chilly evening. 

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