Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
City Bonfires Portable Bonfire vs Sterno S'mores Maker
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best S'mores Makers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The City Bonfire is the s'mores gift: a real portable bonfire in a tin, handmade in Maryland, budget tier - actual flame, actual char, outdoors only. The Sterno set is the mid-range dedicated station rated for indoors and out. The Nostalgia electric is the indoor it-depends in the budget tier. Skip the lazy-Susan version - the same flameless heater with spinning trays at a higher price tier.
City Bonfires Portable Bonfire
Buy itA real, portable bonfire in a 4 x 2 in tin - food-grade soy wax, handmade in Maryland, 3 to 5 hours of burn, outdoor use only.
- An actual flame: a portable tin bonfire for roasting marshmallows over real fire - not a warmer.
- Handmade in Maryland with FDA food-grade soy wax that the maker calls safe for roasting marshmallows - the indie story that makes it a gift.
- 3 to 5 hours of total burn time, per City Bonfires, and it is easy to light and extinguish, so one tin can cover several evenings.
- Budget tier - the cheapest real flame here, and the most giftable object.
- Outdoor use only - City Bonfires states it in capitals. This is a patio and camping fire, not a coffee-table one.
- A consumable: when the wax is gone, it is done.
- Open flame needs a stable surface and a grown-up's eye - not a kids' toy.
Sterno S'mores Maker
Buy itThe dedicated flame station - roasting screen, two built-in stations, a Sterno S'mores Heat can and two forks, rated for indoors and out.
- A purpose-built s'mores rig: a Sterno S'mores Heat fuel can under a roasting screen for even toasting and flame protection.
- Two built-in making stations and ingredient holders - the organized, less-messy setup.
- Sterno rates it for indoors and outdoors - the only real flame here the maker says can come inside.
- An integrated heat-management system elevates the can to keep the table surface cool; the serving tray is dishwasher safe. Sterno lists the whole set at 2 lb.
- Mid-range tier plus fuel refills - one S'mores Heat can is included, and Sterno does not publish its burn time on this page.
- More parts than a tin of fire - tray, screen and forks to wash and store.
- Still an open flame - same supervision rules as a bonfire, and Sterno carries a Prop 65 warning.
Side by side
The 5 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| City Bonfires Portable Bonfire Our pick | Sterno S'mores Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | The best s'mores gift - a real fire in a can for campers, small patios and cozy nights outdoors. | The organized s'mores host - a dedicated station for families and parties that want the full setup, indoors or out. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range |
| Heat source | Real flame (soy wax tin) | Sterno S'mores Heat can |
| Marshmallow result | Real flame | Toasts through a screen |
| Flame | Open flame, outdoor only | Open flame, indoor/outdoor rated |
| Consumables | Tin burns out (3 to 5 h total) | Fuel can refills (1 included) |
| Extras | Just the fire | Tray, screen, 2 stations, 2 forks |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the City Bonfires Portable Bonfire if
the best s'mores gift - a real fire in a can for campers, small patios and cozy nights outdoors.
Know before buying: outdoor use only - City Bonfires states it in capitals. This is a patio and camping fire, not a coffee-table one.
Pick the Sterno S'mores Maker if
the organized s'mores host - a dedicated station for families and parties that want the full setup, indoors or out.
Know before buying: mid-range tier plus fuel refills - one S'mores Heat can is included, and Sterno does not publish its burn time on this page.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the City Bonfires Portable Bonfire - A real, portable bonfire in a 4 x 2 in tin - food-grade soy wax, handmade in Maryland, 3 to 5 hours of burn, outdoor use only. Choose the Sterno S'mores Maker instead if the organized s'mores host - a dedicated station for families and parties that want the full setup, indoors or out.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best S'mores Makers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).