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Electric starters gone up in price?

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newby84
newby84 Posts: 133
in EggHead Forum
Having to buy another electric starter, this will be my 3rd one. It seems like im averaging 2 years on these things. But the one thing I noticed when I looked them up online is it seems the price has gone up a lot. I could have sworn these things were about $40 last time I bought one and now they are $80. 
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  • Wolfpack
    Wolfpack Posts: 3,551
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    @ $80 brings the Looflighter into play


    Greensboro, NC
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  • Dredger
    Dredger Posts: 1,468
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    @newby84, we went through a couple of those when we got our egg almost 19 years ago. The dealer told us to set a timer and pull the starter around 5 minutes after plugging it in. Haven't had to replace one since. That being said, we have switched to the Rutland fire starters. Seems easier and quicker. Still have the electric one and will keep it on hand just in case I forget to reorder the Rutlands in time.
    Large BGE
    Greenville, SC
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  • bikesAndBBQ
    bikesAndBBQ Posts: 284
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    I just bought one this year from Home Depot and it was $15. Not BGE brand but still lights the charcoal just fine. 
    Pittsburgh, PA. LBGE
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  • newby84
    newby84 Posts: 133
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    Dredger said:
    @newby84, we went through a couple of those when we got our egg almost 19 years ago. The dealer told us to set a timer and pull the starter around 5 minutes after plugging it in. Haven't had to replace one since. That being said, we have switched to the Rutland fire starters. Seems easier and quicker. Still have the electric one and will keep it on hand just in case I forget to reorder the Rutlands in time.
    Maybe that's where I'm messing up, my dealer told me to set a timer for 7 min. I wonder if that extra 2 min is messing it up. 
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,030
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    Time for a weed burner!
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • jeponline
    jeponline Posts: 290
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    Check your dealer rather than online. Thought to find accurate prices online for bge branded stuff. Though as mentioned above, a generic one will be cheaper regardless. 
    Large BGE
    Huntsville, AL
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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 30,978
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    The Looflighter, if your Egg is reasonably close to an outlet, is worth the investment in my opinion.  I started out with an electric starter and haven't looked back.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike
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  • TN_Sister_State
    TN_Sister_State Posts: 1,130
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    Wolfpack said:
    @ $80 brings the Looflighter into play


    Agree with everyone on the loof. Got one for Xmas and haven't been happier.
    Franklin, Tn
    LBGE - Cast Iron Grate - Flameboss 300 - BGEtisserie

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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    edited May 2017
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    I don't want anything you have to plug in. Or remember to UNplug before it burns out. Give me my torch any day. $40 plus a propane cylinder that lasts forever and costs under $4. My torch is almost 8 years old and going strong. Plus, I can do plumbing. =) 

    Second choice, oil and paper towel.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,684
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    The EGGniter may be a better choice since it has a fan/cool function.  Looftlighter is just ON or OFF.  EGGniter has ON (HEAT), OFF, FAN.......takes about a minute to cool it off.  Other than playing with one in the shop, I've never used it to start an egg, nor have I ever used a Looftlighter.  I just know from using heat guns, it was always a good idea to cool them off to help preserve the element, make it safe to set down, and let you put it away sooner.
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 6,304
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    Another vote for the Looftlighter. I got one after my electric starter died. I hang it up on  a nail in my shed 10 feet from the Egg by the attached bottle opener. There is also a wall plug right there. I like using it as a bellows to really get the fire started fast.
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  • The_Stache
    The_Stache Posts: 1,153
    edited May 2017
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    12 bucks at Amazon
    Kirkland, TN
    2 LBGE, 1 MM


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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 30,978
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    Carolina Q said:
    Give me my torch any day. $40 plus a propane cylinder that lasts forever and costs under $4. My torch is almost 8 years old and going strong. 
    Plus, you can really extend its life if you do most of your cooking in the oven.  
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike
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  • vze3jnv2
    vze3jnv2 Posts: 12
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    Thumbs up on the tourch thats what I'ved used for years
    LG BGE  Bressler (Harrisburg) Pennsylvania
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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,532
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    @The_Stache is on the right track, cheap and effective.   When I want to cook low and slow fill the bottom section with lump and stuff paper into the part where charcoal is to go.   
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • scdaf
    scdaf Posts: 176
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    Harbor Freight heat gun, $8.99 with coupon.  Doesn't just apply heat, has a blower too.  Maybe 3 minutes to torch the 'coal in 3 spots.
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  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,647
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    been using the Weber chimney since I started.  2 pieces of newspaper, 8 minutes later, dump and finish preparing - then ready to cook.   While the egg is getting up to tem, I finish my mise en place  (MEEZ ahn plahs). 
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  • ColtsFan
    ColtsFan Posts: 6,346
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    I enjoy this process. And it hasn't quit working yet. 
    ~ John - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, KJ Jr, PK Original, Ardore Pizza Oven, King Disc 
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053
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    Heat gun is $22 at Home Depot works great. 
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