Nope, you can do everything manually via the button located on the side of the usb-rechargeable powerpack. The optional Bluetooth app allows you to control the airflow settings remotely, which comes in handy if you're perfectly bundled around the fire and don't want to get up – but more importantly, it offers precise feedback on how much runtime is left in the battery so you can be in complete control of your clean-burning experience

Nope. If you are asking this, chances are you're familiar with our CampStove or BaseCamp (if so, welcome back!). Those stoves feature a thermoelectric generator that produces electricity from the heat of the fire. The FirePit does not – and that's on purpose. If we included thermoelectrics in a design of this scale, the unit would cost upwards of $400-$600 and we didn't want to just do tech for tech's sake. Realizing that we wanted the system to still be self-reliant and self-charging, we opted for a solar cover as a companion to the unit. We really want this project to be affordable to as many folks as possible and this was the right energy solution for it.