Customer Reviews

Charcoal Companion Electric Charcoal Starter

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For years I battled with lighter fluid and other charcoal lighting techniques. While ultimately all other techniques worked, this device takes all of the effort out of lighting charcoal. Plus, you only get that great charcoal flavor... no bad lighter fluid taste.

All you have to do is bury this little guy in between a mound of coals and in about 10 minutes your good to go. Wind doesn't affect the heating process like it would using a traditional match/lighter fluid method. So simple!

My only wish is that the power chord were a little longer. But that is easy to overcome with an extension chord.

I was skeptical about the electric charcoal starters. I don't like starter fluid and it is windy here a lot so a paper starter can be dangerous. I have used this device for several months numerous times, even in very heavy winds. It works perfect everytime. I just pile up the coals on top. Plug it in for 14 minutes (with an outdoor extension chord) cut the power add and arrange charcoal. Give the charcoal about 10 more minutes to heat properly and that it is it. Perfect coals every time.

Update: I was looking through my old reviews and just wanted to let everyone know I will have used this two years in Aug with no issues. It still works perfect and we BBQ all the time.

I had my doubts about how well this would work, but went ahead based on other reviews. It worked exactly as billed. I left it in the specified eight minutes, removed it, and within a total of 20 minutes had a nice hot fire.

I have used it a few times and it does a very effective job at lighting coals without having to use kerosene. I would highly recommend this for people that like using natural wood or natural charcoal to avoid the chemical residue.

Other reviews say it burns out after awhile. I have only used it five times. When and if it burns out I'll update this review. In my experience usually when tools like this burn out it's because of misuse. You don't want to let electric items that use a lot of power run for too long or put them under too much stress. Get the fire started and then pull it out right away.

Just got it, just used it, couldn't be more impressed. Forget about how much time it saves only taking 8 minutes to have glowing red coals, this thing is worth it's weight in gold based on the frustration it saves. I have a little Weber Smokey Joe, and this was too big to lay flat on the grate the way the directions suggest, but i just built up a little pile on the side, poked this in there, put some more coals on top, and had smoke within 30 seconds. Let it go for the full 8, spread the coals out flat, and was grilling in 20 minutes. It's not often you get a little gadget like this that completely lives up to what it promises. The only reason i don't grill every night is because of the hassle and time getting a fire going. I think i'll probably be grilling every night now. A +

My BBQ setup is a portable grill sitting in a wood burning fire place. I live in a small apartment in the city and this is my only option if I want the delicious smoky flavor you can only get from a charcoal BBQ. I tried using traditional methods (lighter fluid and newspaper) with limited success and a lot of unneeded smoke.

I purchased the electric starter and it worked as advertised. While it takes 8-10 minutes to get a good flame going its 100% consistent. You basically pile your coals around the element, plug it in, and wait. Simple as that. Since I have a small grill I pile the coals against one side of the grill so when I pull the element out the coals only have one way to role. That would be my only complain, once you pull out the element it ruins your pyramid or pile of coals so it would be a good idea to keep a set of tongs on hand to reorganize the coals after removing the element.

Overall it gets five stars and as long as it doesn't break within the year it will stay that way.

This is a great coal starter, works great with chimney starter and an Extension cord to plug into power outlet. Used it multiple times before writing this review.

This is a great buy. Why? This thing is tough as nails.

It lights the charcoal as advertised, and what isn't advertised is that if you leave it on too long, and it melts the handle a bit, or if you leave it outside, because you forgot that it was cooling off, that it will work just like new when you plug it in again.

I like the fact that I dont have to fiddle around with charcoal lighter or instant lighting charcoal (adds that lighter fluid taste).

Love this thing.

This baby lights my fire. This unit holds up well to being left outside, rusting, or left in a Green Egg too long.

This is because below the cheap plastic handle there is a fairly large metal deflector plate to keep flames (and heat) from directly cooking the handle once the fire gets going.

This is a great unit, and I appreciate the deflection plate a lot now that I've left it in the Egg too long a few times.

actually i have not yet used this product. my issue is that the plug in cord that comes with the device is about 6 inches long, not nearly as long as the one pictured in amazon. the product is not useable without buying an outdoor "w-a" extension cord. it's misleading advertising.