Wiktor Wise
Charcoal grilling is often seen as a time-consuming and high-maintenance process. Lighter fluid is a popular method for starting charcoal, but it is the least safe option and can damage the taste and look of your food. Electric starters are a great alternative to using lighter fluid. They are clean, convenient, and easy to use. Some popular electric starters include the BBQ Dragon, the Looftlighter 2, and the Towallmark. To use an electric starter, plug the device into an outlet, place the barrel close to the charcoal, and hold the trigger down to start producing hot air. Once sparks begin to fly, pull the barrel back a few inches and continue pointing at the charcoal until it starts producing flames.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Electric starters take 10-15 minutes to start charcoal. |
| Safety | Safer than using lighter fluid, which can be dangerous and release fumes that affect the taste of food. |
| Cleanliness | Electric starters are considered cleaner than other methods. |
| Convenience | Electric starters are convenient and easy to use, but require an electrical outlet or extension cord. |
| Taste | Electric starters do not affect the taste of food, unlike some other methods. |
| Fuel | Electric starters do not require lighter fluid or other fuels, which can be expensive. |
| Heat | Electric starters generate hot air to light charcoal. |
| Ignition | Some electric starters have automated ignition, while others require holding down a button or trigger. |
| Cooling | Some electric starters have a cooling stand or adjustable clip to rest the device after use. |
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What You'll Learn
Using an electric starter with a chimney
Firstly, make sure you have a suitable electric starter. There are several options available, such as the Looftlighter, Towallmark, or BBQ Dragon. These electric starters typically have heat-resistant handles and long power cords, making them convenient and safe to use.
Now, prepare your chimney. A standard charcoal chimney is an upright, open-top cylinder with a handle and holes at the bottom. Place the chimney in a safe, outdoor area where you plan to do your grilling.
Next, you'll need to add your charcoal to the chimney. Fill the chimney with the desired amount of charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. Make sure the charcoal is natural hardwood lump charcoal, as this burns cleaner and provides a better taste than pre-soaked charcoal.
Once your chimney is filled, it's time to use your electric starter. Plug the starter into an outlet or use an extension cord if needed. Some electric starters may require you to hold down a button, while others may have an automated ignition program. Place the tip of the electric starter against a piece of charcoal or wood kindling and activate it.
You will see sparks begin to fly within seconds. At this point, slowly pull the electric starter back, continuing to direct the hot air towards the coals to spread the fire. Be careful not to inhale the fumes, as they can be harmful. With an electric starter, you can avoid the use of lighter fluid, which can negatively impact the taste and smell of your food.
Depending on the model of your electric starter and the amount of charcoal, it should take around 10 to 15 minutes for your charcoal to be ready. You'll know the charcoal is hot and ready to use when you see a little grey-white ash on the coals. Once the charcoal is lit, unplug the electric starter and remove it from the chimney.
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How to avoid using lighter fluid
Lighter fluid is not necessary to start a charcoal grill, and it can negatively impact the taste and smell of your food. It can also be damaging to your health. Here are some ways to avoid using lighter fluid when starting charcoal with an electric starter:
Firstly, ensure your charcoal is dry and arranged in your desired set-up in the grill with the lid open. Then, ignite your electric starter and point the flame towards a specific spot on the charcoal—the centre is a good option. Once you see red combustion, turn off the flame and turn on the blower element. Get the electric starter close to the heated charcoal and blow the fan directly onto it. The air will force the lit charcoal to expand onto the other charcoal.
Alternatively, place the tip of the electric starter directly into a pyramid-shaped arrangement of charcoal and turn it on. When the coals start to light, slowly pull the electric starter out further to allow it to evenly heat the coals. Keep it in direct contact with the charcoal until they are all lit. Once the charcoal is ashy and grey, shape the pile into your desired configuration.
If you don't have an electric starter, you can use a charcoal chimney, which is an effective way to light charcoal without lighter fluid. Simply bunch up some newspaper and place it in the middle of the charcoal grate. Then, build the charcoal up around the paper in a pyramid shape, light the newspaper, and let it go. This method takes longer than using an electric starter or lighter fluid, but it's still an effective way to light charcoal without resorting to lighter fluid.
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Using an electric starter with a grill
To use an electric charcoal starter, you'll first need to plug it into an outlet. If your outlet is far away, you may need an extension cord. Make sure you're wearing fireproof gloves for safety. Some models, like the BBQ Dragon, require you to hold your finger on the trigger the entire time, so this accessory is especially important if you're using one of those.
Next, you'll want to touch the tip of the barrel to a piece of charcoal, briquette, or wood kindling. Hold down the button or trigger, and the electric starter will begin blowing super-heated air directly onto your fuel source. Within seconds, sparks will begin to fly, and you can pull the starter back slightly to continue blowing air toward the hot coals and spread the fire.
The Looftlighter 2 is an excellent option for an electric charcoal starter, as it features an automated ignition program. This means you don't have to hold down a button for it to work. You simply turn it on, press the heat button, and hold it in position until sparks start flying. After two minutes, it will automatically switch to air mode, and you can shut off the unit.
Some electric starters, like the Kitosun, have adjustable clips that can be used to rest the device on the side of your grill while it cools down. However, many do not, so be cautious when setting down a hot electric starter.
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Using an electric starter with a pizza oven
Using an electric starter is an effective way to light the charcoal in your pizza oven. Electric starters are a safer alternative to lighter fluid, which can leave a chemical residue that affects the taste of your pizza.
There are a few different electric starters on the market, but the Looftlighter and Towallmark are two popular options. Both use hot air to light charcoal fires. To use them, simply plug the device into an outlet and touch the tip of the barrel to a piece of charcoal, briquette, or wood kindling. Hold down the button, and the device will blow super-heated air directly onto the fuel source. Within seconds, sparks will begin to fly, and you can then pull the starter back slightly, continuing to blow air towards the hot coals to spread the fire.
The Looftlighter X is a battery-powered version of the standard Looftlighter, which can be used anywhere and is easy to set down when hot. The Towallmark is also easy to use, with a 6.5-foot power cord, but it does not have a cooling stand, so it can be challenging to set down when hot.
When using an electric starter with a pizza oven, it's important to consider the type of charcoal you're using. Natural, high-quality charcoal without added chemicals is best to avoid tainted flavors. Charcoal briquettes, for example, contain chemical additives that can leave a permanent taste and smell in the oven. It's also important to ensure good airflow in your pizza oven for efficient burning and to keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
With an electric starter, you can get hot coals in just a few minutes, making it a quick and convenient option for lighting your pizza oven.
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Using an electric starter with a fire pit
Using an electric starter is a great way to light a fire pit without the need for lighter fluid. Electric starters are a clean and safe way to ignite solid fuel such as charcoal and wood, both inside and outside.
Firstly, you will need to ensure your electric starter is plugged into an outlet. If your power source is far away, you may need an extension cord. Once plugged in, you can begin. There are several types of electric starters, some of which require you to hold down a button or trigger, and others that are automatic. For those that require you to hold down a button, hold the barrel of the starter close to a piece of charcoal, briquette, or wood kindling, and hold the button. Super-heated air will be blown onto the fuel, and sparks will begin to fly. Once sparks appear, you can pull the starter back slightly and continue to blow air towards the hot coals to spread the fire. For automatic starters, turn the power button on, then press the heat button. Hold the starter in position, and once sparks begin to fly, pull it back slightly. After about two minutes, it will automatically switch to air mode, and flames will take over.
If you are using a chimney, you can place the electric starter in the chimney, fill it with charcoal, and plug it in for about six minutes. Then, unplug and remove the starter. You can also stack charcoal in a pyramid and place the electric starter within it. Once lit, the flames will soon poke through the gaps in the charcoal. When the coals develop a little grey-white ash, they are hot and ready to use.
Electric starters are a great alternative to other fire-starting methods, such as lighter fluid, firelighters, or charcoal chimneys. They are quick and convenient, and some users report that they are their favourite method of starting a fire.
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Frequently asked questions
Plug in the device and hold the barrel close to the charcoal, making contact with the fuel. Hold the trigger down to start producing hot air. Once the fuel sparks, pull the barrel back a few inches and continue pointing at the same hot coals until they start producing actual flames.
Electric starters are nice and clean, and some users find them more convenient than traditional charcoal starters. They are also safer than using lighter fluid, which can be dangerous and release intense fumes that can damage the taste and look of your food.
It can take anywhere from one to 15 minutes to start charcoal with an electric starter, depending on the model and other factors.
