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, made in Maryland, $25 - actual flame, actual char. The Sterno set is the $40 dedicated station. The Nostalgia electric is the indoor it-depends at $30. Skip the $60 lazy-Susan version - the same flameless warmer with spinning trays.
City Bonfires Portable Bonfire
Buy itA real, portable bonfire in a tin - nontoxic, made in Maryland, burns ~3 hours - $25.
- An actual flame: a portable tin bonfire that chars a marshmallow like a campfire - not a warmer.
- Handmade in Maryland with nontoxic, soy-based materials - the indie story that makes it a gift.
- ~3 hours of burn - a full evening of s'mores.
- $25 - the cheapest real flame here, and the most giftable object.
- A consumable: once it burns, it's done - it's a single-evening or few-evening fire.
- Open flame needs a stable surface and a grown-up's eye - not a kids' toy.
- No trays or forks - just the fire; bring your own grahams and skewers.
Sterno S'mores Maker
Buy itThe dedicated flame station - roasting screen, built-in trays and stations, gel fuel - $40.
- A purpose-built s'mores rig: gel-fuel flame with a roasting screen for even toasting.
- Two built-in making stations and ingredient holders - the organized, less-messy setup.
- Real flame from Sterno gel - genuine char, not just warmth.
- Indoors or out - the flame is a controlled tabletop size.
- $40 plus gel-fuel refills - the consumable adds up.
- More parts than a tin of fire - trays and screen to wash and store.
- Still an open flame - same supervision rules as a bonfire.
Side by side
| City Bonfires Portable Bonfire | 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. | The organized s'mores host - a dedicated station for families and parties that want the full setup. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the City Bonfires Portable Bonfire - A real, portable bonfire in a tin - nontoxic, made in Maryland, burns ~3 hours - $25. 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.
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).