It doesn't heat up the deck at all. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Nothing.
The sides are stainless steel but I don't think the bottom is; and there is no conductivity whatsoever to the stand. You can't touch the sides of the fire pit while it's going, but you can put your bare hand on the stand it is is cool to the touch. It's pretty impressive.
The owners of the house next door to the beach house we rented last week came over and rang our doorbell almost instantly on the first night because they thought we had an unattended open flame, which is what you would think if you were looking up at a third-floor deck with a raging fire. But it is really pretty self-contained (unless, like me, you get a little carried away at times and need your wife to remind you to rein it in).
Two cautions:
1. Again, be careful with the screen, and if you place it flat on a composite deck while steaming hot it could cause some slight impressions. I lean it on its side when I take it off, and it leans on the wooden rails on our deck, which is not an issue.
2. It is not "smokeless" as advertised. It is much less smoky than a traditional fire or fire pit, however. Once it gets going there is very little smoke at all, but depending on your kindling, fuel, and wind, it can be a little smoky while you're getting it going--which doesn't take much fuel or time at all. I use two small pieces of fat wood, some newspaper/cardboard and a couple small log pieces.
bonfire.solostove.com
