Found a new charcoal starter tool - The MiniNova

AprèsSki

Many years ago in a prior life I was a river guide and being able to start a fire fast and in any condition was worthy of bragging rights and also better tips. Two tools worked great, first off raft patching glue liberally applied will ignite even waterlogged wood and a big fat raft air pump is the ultimate bellows. 

I've spent a lot of time looking for the perfect Big Green Egg starting bellows. A tire pump is too small, I hate to break out a big Carlson raft pump for a quick dinner and it is overkill. I looked for a drill mounted option, wished Black & Decker, Mikita or Dewalt made a bellows for their battery operated line of tools. Well I finally found what I'm looking for via Kickstarter.

I saw a campaign from a company called Mini Nova last fall and not only did it look like what I was looking for but in an even smaller package. After using it the past week and just firing up the KJ junior for a few burgers I need to share the details. 

It is a small handheld blower that is charged via USB-C and with its attachments becomes a cat 5 hurricane that turns charcoal into a glowing red mass in seconds. I am very impressed and wanted to share. I have no financial connection just a very satisfied kickstarter contributor. 

Excuse me while I go put some burgers on the grill, its ready...

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mininova-experience-air-evolution-pumpblowdrydust#/

HeavyG

Nice. Does the variable speed feature work well - does it actually offer a broad range of variable speeds or is it more like just a few stepped speed ranges between fast and slow?

There are lots of those sort of things on the market. The one I've got has just three speeds and there is not much difference between two of them.

Canugghead

Is the battery replaceable?

Ybabpmuts

So it's a battery operated blow job?

HeavyG

Canugghead said:

Is the battery replaceable?

I know the one I have is not intended to be replaceable but I don't think that would stop you.

AprèsSki

HeavyG said:

Nice. Does the variable speed feature work well - does it actually offer a broad range of variable speeds or is it more like just a few stepped speed ranges between fast and slow?

So far, it has not indents for speeds just a dial. Feels like a potentiometer, I haven't had to take it past ~70%

As for the battery being replaceable, it doesn't look easy and I'm not going to dig into it until it stops working. There are screws at the bottom of the handle that probably secure the speed dial and I'd assume that the batteries are below that. How easily they slide out after removal of the dial I hope to not find out for a long time.

Canugghead

HeavyG said:

Canugghead said:

Is the battery replaceable?

I know the one I have is not intended to be replaceable but I don't think that would stop you.

bring back the Disagree 

rekameohs

Looks cool, but not for me.  I have rarely had an issue getting it started with just an oil covered paper towel or two.  I keep a coffee can full of them, covering them with used oil as needed.