Nifty New Fire-Starter!

TWags15

I’ve been whining about getting a solid “clicker” to start fires, so my wife grabbed this GRILLMATIC USB Lighter on Amazon for Father’s Day. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s rechargeable and looks like a mini taser but, boy, does it light a cube or tumbleweed in less than a second! Too small of a sample size for me to fully endorse, but I’m curious if anyone’s familiar and can weigh in on its longevity (my only reservation). Comes in a nice box with a USB cord to recharge. 

Here’s the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VN2H2S5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share.

Pics below in no particular order.

RagingIrishman

My first time seeing it. It looks interesting, does it make a noise when it’s on?  Just curious

TWags15

RagingIrishman said:

My first time seeing it. It looks interesting, does it make a noise when it’s on?  Just curious

Just a very din buzz (like a bug zapper in the distance) and maybe a tiny crackle. I can’t overemphasize how quickly it draws a flame. It’s nuts. But I’m damn sure keeping it in my drawer outside, or next thing you know it’ll be igniting jar candles and sparklers before disappearing like all the disposables!

Botch

Will be following this thread closely.  I usually use a paraffin thingie to light my lump, and a long-neck Bic or other brand to light the paraffin thingie, but those things stop working within a week, or never at all (and I've tried all brands).  Can't imagine one with a rechargeable battery in it.   
I've gone to a $0.99 box of 400 wooden matches to light my paraffin, and it's worked reliably since last year.  And looks like I have a few years left on that box...

caliking

We have one like that for the stove inside. Works well. Haven't used to light up starters, etc. 

It doesn't work too well for lighting candles, as the sparky points get gummed up with wax pretty quick. 

Langner91

Botch said:

Will be following this thread closely.  I usually use a paraffin thingie to light my lump, and a long-neck Bic or other brand to light the paraffin thingie, but those things stop working within a week, or never at all (and I've tried all brands).  Can't imagine one with a rechargeable battery in it.   
I've gone to a $0.99 box of 400 wooden matches to light my paraffin, and it's worked reliably since last year.  And looks like I have a few years left on that box...

I like the "Torch Flame" by Scripto lighters for lighting my thingies.  The butane must be under some pressure, so it actually stays lit.

Usually, they are hard to find, and almost always come in a two pack with the awful kind that never seem to work more than once.  I currently have two 2-packs NIB in my drawer.

First world problems.

TWags15

Botch said:

Will be following this thread closely.  I usually use a paraffin thingie to light my lump, and a long-neck Bic or other brand to light the paraffin thingie, but those things stop working within a week, or never at all (and I've tried all brands).  Can't imagine one with a rechargeable battery in it.   
I've gone to a $0.99 box of 400 wooden matches to light my paraffin, and it's worked reliably since last year.  And looks like I have a few years left on that box...

Another plus on the new zapper: It’s immune to the wind.

Canugghead

Looks neat, but I’d call that a starter starter

HeavyG

I have a couple that are now a few years old. Never had any problems. I only use them to light propane burners of my pizza oven and wok burner.

lkapigian

I'm just glad to see the word "Nifty" in use 

dmchicago

lkapigian said:

I'm just glad to see the word "Nifty" in use 

Yeah, I thought that was boss.

Canugghead

HeavyG said:

I have a couple that are now a few years old. Never had any problems. I only use them to light propane burners of my pizza oven and wok burner.

Brilliant, gonna get it for pizza oven.

Ybabpmuts

lkapigian said:

I'm just glad to see the word "Nifty" in use 

It's all relative. For instance ... if your sock drawer is perfectly coordinated, your wife might call that nifty in an upbeat way, but if you shaved your nether regions leaving just the Shazam lightening bolt ... the nifty would seem maybe not so upbeat.

One time, I had a baker's dozen butt warbles and I got rid of eleven of them .. and I still got the not so upbeat nifty. I could have pointed out her nifty club foot, the nifty cauliflower ears, or her nifty bum dust collection but I didn't and that in itself was nifty

RyanStl

So it's a fancy lighter. Would it work on a cigar?

jdMyers

Yes.  You can get them from the manufacturer for $4 and some change each.  No minimum purchase

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/3256803622889800.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.7044qrrPqrrPUR&browser_id=2d43880fda044ce5bf07377060276d13&aff_trace_key=82eeb15b9ef4436e903ecf6210b44bab-1655217670183-02419-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=tdijgv6hpwucaut2181a6061411115ed32f721bdde&gclid=&pdp_npi=2@dis!USD!!4.54!!!!!@2101fd4b16563478259581945ec02e!12000027272351896!sea&algo_pvid=6792ed62-2296-4c77-9dc7-22a290be185e

Canugghead

HeavyG said:

I have a couple that are now a few years old. Never had any problems. I only use them to light propane burners of my pizza oven and wok burner.

Bought one for lighting pizza oven gas burner. As mentioned in numerous online reviews the sparking buzz noise and smell are unpleasant.  Thanks to @WeberWho I discovered this



Coating the prongs with the grease took care of the sparking smell and noise. Apparently it's supposed to reduce wear and tear of the tips too. Hope this ocd maintenance doesn’t backfire    

BigreenGreg

Got me!

wwinnc

I'm with @Botch- a box of  "strike on anything" matches does the job here!  Call me old fashioned!