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Looftlighter bbq lighter tool review

Shawn
Shawn Posts: 356
edited April 2012 in EggHead Forum
Here's a review of the Looftlighter:

http://hrmcreativebbq.blogspot.ca/2012/04/looftlighter-bbq-lighting-tool-review.html

image
The beauty of the Looftlighter is that it can ignite anything from charcoal to wood with the touch of a button. It also eliminating the use of lighter fluid which gives you the added bonus of not worrying about toxic fumes and you don't aft to worry about your food tasting like lighter fluid or chemical taste. It's also a lot safer to use then Lighting chimney and lighter fluid. Using the Looftlighter is also more environmentally friendly.

It can also light a fire within 60 seconds! Watch the video on blog for proof!

The only flaw is that you need a power source near your pit!

Happy Egging!

I hope you all enjoy!

Happy Grilling!
Cheers! Shawn My Blog: http://hrmcreativebbq.blogspot.com/ My Dads Custom Handles Blog http://dannyscarvings.blogspot.com

Comments

  • Interesting

    A muslim, a socialist and an illegal immigrant walk into a bar 

    Blogging: Never before have so many with so little to say said so much to so few.

  • EazyE
    EazyE Posts: 67
    Can you use a extension cord with a Looflighter if the cord isn't long enough to reach your outlet? I was concerned about that since it gets so hot so fast. Just curious what you all think if you can use a extension cord safely with one or not.
  • Shawn
    Shawn Posts: 356
    yes you can use extension cord! I use one with mine!
    Cheers! Shawn My Blog: http://hrmcreativebbq.blogspot.com/ My Dads Custom Handles Blog http://dannyscarvings.blogspot.com
  • Can you use a extension cord with a Looflighter if the cord isn't long enough to reach your outlet? I was concerned about that since it gets so hot so fast. Just curious what you all think if you can use a extension cord safely with one or not.
    Yes, but it needs to be a good quality extension cord. Good quality being:
    1. Heavy Gauge (The kind you'd use for a table saw, not Christmas lights.)
    2. Well Kept (No shorts, breaks, splices, or tape. Consistently maintained with the "over under method" no umblical cord twisting under the sleathing.)
    I also posted about my heat gun that gives near identical results as the looftlighter. I use that with a good quality 100ft extension cord as my Egg is away from my house down by the pool.
    I finally took the plunge and bought my large Big Green Easter Egg from Roswell Hardware in Roswell, GA 03/31/2012
  • UPinSMOKE
    UPinSMOKE Posts: 53
    I just rec'd my Looftlighter yesterday, Amazon (premium member-free 2 day shipping), for 79.00 (local shops sell them for 89.00). 

    I have been using electric starters now for 7 years and just melted the handle of my fourth starter (in 7 years) and decided to bite the bullet and get the Looft. Well, I was not disappointed. 

    I filled the firebox of my medium Egg last evening, the cord with the Looftlighter, although quite long, is about a foot short from my outlet to the Egg, so I used a heavy duty 50 foot extension cord with no problems, The cord was just as cool after using the Looft as it was before so I am not worried at all about using an extension cord. 

     It took maybe two minutes to get three good 'hot spots' glowing, and within 5 minutes I had a very nice fire going. With the electric starter, this always took 12-15 minutes to get the same amount of coals glowing. (I have tried a MAPP torch in the past too, but it would never stay lit completely upside down, was frustrating to use, so it's relegated back to the basement). 

     The Looftlighter is quieter than I thought it would be too. Much quieter than my wife's hair dryer, for sure. The next time I use it I'll check it's noise output with my decibel meter and post the results here. Very quiet. 

     You do have to keep the button depressed to keep the lighter going, but hey, that's a safety issue and to me, at least, it is NOT a problem. You can easily change the lighter from one hand to another and keep it running. 

    I like the fact you can put it down and the small 'rack' attached to it keeps it safely off any surface you place it on, so setting a secondary fire somewhere you wouldn't want to is not a worry. Also, this 'rack' WILL open a bottle of beer too... another added benefit! :-)

    I also have a BGE chiminea that we use to burn our yard debris. Instead of using thunder wood or worse, those sticky paraffin starters will now be old hat....this Looftlighter should ignite a small pile of kindling even quicker than starting lump charcoal, so it'll see more use than just at the Egg. We burn our chiminea year round, but really enjoy it in the cooler months--it's a gathering place for the neighbors on their way home in the evenings...and many spontaneous parties have broken out on our front porch around that chiminea. The local kids also like to roast marshmallows over the jet flame' that shoots out the top! ;-) 

    So I'll give the Looftlighter a double thumbs up. Yes, it is pricey, but so is the BGE, so is lump, so is a platesetter, so it a Thermapen....but hey.....just remember, it only costs a few pennies more to go first class....and I have never been disappointed when I to go first class. I sure have been disappointed going the 'bargain basement' route over the years.....  YMMV.... but I highly recommend the Looftlighter. :-)

    Pat
  • Shawn
    Shawn Posts: 356
    I am glad your enjoying your loofthligter! I was totally amazed with mine has well!
    Cheers! Shawn My Blog: http://hrmcreativebbq.blogspot.com/ My Dads Custom Handles Blog http://dannyscarvings.blogspot.com
  • I've been through two of these within in a year and a half of heavy cooking on the egg. The last one only lasted a few months before the motor going out. They work great while they are working, but I would suggest a welding torch instead - much less to go wrong and heats just a good.
  • MikeG
    MikeG Posts: 174

    Or the Professional Model heat gun from Harbor Freight.  Has a cool air mode which is very useful for Egging. $60 including a 27 month non-prorated replacement plan.

    http://www.harborfreight.com/1600-watt-heavy-duty-dual-temperature-heat-gun-1000-1100-66098.html

  • dlk7
    dlk7 Posts: 1,053
    I've been through two of these within in a year and a half of heavy cooking on the egg. The last one only lasted a few months before the motor going out. They work great while they are working, but I would suggest a welding torch instead - much less to go wrong and heats just a good.
    They have a two year warranty - did you have a problem getting a new one?

    Two XL BGEs - So Happy!!!!

    Waunakee, WI

  • Shawn
    Shawn Posts: 356
    lots of people store the loofttlighter outside! This is one of the main reason it fails early! You have to store it away from all the elements! Little mottors don't like moisture and corrosion!
    Cheers! Shawn My Blog: http://hrmcreativebbq.blogspot.com/ My Dads Custom Handles Blog http://dannyscarvings.blogspot.com
  • Monju123
    Monju123 Posts: 11
    edited July 2013
    Believe it or not, the best price that I could find is at Williams Sonoma. $64 and a %15+free shipping coupon put in the mid $50 range. Only downside is that it won't ship until Aug 19th.
  • TamaleTim
    TamaleTim Posts: 24
    M123- where can one find the coupon? Thanks.
  • msloan
    msloan Posts: 399
    I love mine! It does an amazing job
    gettin lucky in kentucky!   2 XL eggs!
  • Grillmagic
    Grillmagic Posts: 1,600
    Monju123 said:
    Believe it or not, the best price that I could find is at Williams Sonoma. $64 and a %15+free shipping coupon put in the mid $50 range. Only downside is that it won't ship until Aug 19th.

    I just ordered one today from there and paid 67.84  delivered after Aug 19 I must have missed the sale
    Charlotte, Michigan XL BGE
  • jaydub58
    jaydub58 Posts: 2,167

    I use a MAPP torch, and I wish it wasn't quite so sparky.  Does the Looft kick up  much in the way of sparks?  That would be an important consideration for me.

    Any answers appreciated.

    John in the Willamette Valley of Oregon
  • Randy1
    Randy1 Posts: 379
    Mine was great....until it quit 6 months in. They told me tough luck where I bought it. Not having good vibes with regard to looftlighters about now. I am currently lighting the egg with paper towels soaked in oil.
    Maumelle, Arkansas
  • I love mine after 2 months. Yeah, it's sparky, but as long as the egg isn't setting in sawdust soaked in kerosene, no problem. A deck won't catch fire with sparks.
  • Zick
    Zick Posts: 190
    Long time user of the looftlighter. I am a fan for sure.
    When was the last time you did something for the first time? - Zick Boulder, CO
  • TurtleCreek
    TurtleCreek Posts: 140
    jaydub58 said:

    I use a MAPP torch, and I wish it wasn't quite so sparky.  Does the Looft kick up  much in the way of sparks?  That would be an important consideration for me.

    Any answers appreciated.

    If you keep it in the same spot for an extended period of time it will kick up sparks.  I assume that would be true for a torch, heat gun, or Looft.  If you move any of those heat sources away from the close proximity you start with, you'll still get the heat transfer your looking for with out the sparks.  
  • Springram
    Springram Posts: 430
    I have had mine for 6-7 months now and so far so good. Love it. BUT, i do store it in my garage here in the Houston area (humid) and I am now wondering if I need to store inside the house. I can understand the need not to get it wet, etc but ...........

    A BBQ/grilling accessory that cannot be stored close to the smoker/grill? I wonder if they have just have poor quality construction or if it is a design flaw. Not good either way.

    Like I say, mine has worked like a charm so far.

    Springram
    Spring, Texas
    LBGE and Mini
  • TurtleCreek
    TurtleCreek Posts: 140
    Springram said:
    A BBQ/grilling accessory that cannot be stored close to the smoker/grill? I wonder if they have just have poor quality construction or if it is a design flaw. Not good either way.

    Like I say, mine has worked like a charm so far.

    Springram
    Spring, Texas
    I would not keep a thermapen or BBQ Guru, etc ... outside all the time either.  I would not associate that with the quality of the gadget. Some electronic things just need to be inside when not in use.
  • Monju123
    Monju123 Posts: 11
    edited July 2013
    If you are on the Williams Sonoma email list, they occasionally send coupons of varying values. This weekend there was a %15 and free shipping offer.
  • mikeb9550
    mikeb9550 Posts: 95
    Any coupon code you can share?
  • Monju123
    Monju123 Posts: 11
    mikeb9550 said:
    Any coupon code you can share?

    The code can only be used once. Sign up, you will probably get a code today.
  • Springram
    Springram Posts: 430
    Springram said:
    A BBQ/grilling accessory that cannot be stored close to the smoker/grill? I wonder if they have just have poor quality construction or if it is a design flaw. Not good either way.

    Like I say, mine has worked like a charm so far.

    Springram
    Spring, Texas
    I would not keep a thermapen or BBQ Guru, etc ... outside all the time either.  I would not associate that with the quality of the gadget. Some electronic things just need to be inside when not in use.
    Come to think of it, both my Guru and my Thermapen are stored in the house. My comment about stuff needing to be stored near the Egg was pretty dumb. I think I will move the Looftslighter into the house. Thanks, @TurtleCreek

    Springram
    Spring, Texas
    LBGE and Mini