Looftlighter 70018 Fire Lighting Tool

by Looftlighter

• Igniting fires and bbqs takes just a few seconds
• The patented hot airstream process eliminates the chemical taste that infuses onto food when using lighter fluid and gas
• Equipped with a safety casing
• Does not throw flames
• Speeds up heating process of coals and fire

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 19 x 3 x 2.2 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Origin: Imported (China)
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000WYY65Y
• Item model number: 70018
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,469 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #3 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Grills & Outdoor Cooking > Grill & Smoker Accessories > Grill Lighting

Product Description

Developed by Swedish inventor, Richard Looft, the Looftlighter ignites wood or charcoal in less than 60 seconds with its patented hot airstream process. It makes charcoal barbecue preparation quick, clean, safe and easy, without the need for lighter fluids. Igniting fires and BBQs now takes just a few seconds. You can use the Looftlighter to speed up the heating process of your coals so that your BBQ is ready for cooking in just a few minutes. The patented hot airstream process eliminates the chemical taste that sometimes is infused in food when using lighter fluid and gas grills. BBQ chefs are now achieving the clean taste of their grilling and smoking recipes. The Looftlighter does not throw flames, but instead blows a hot airstream at 1,256 degrees Fahrenheit. It will switch off immediately the user releases the On button, and is equipped with a safety casing that cools to the touch within a few seconds after use. Simply plug the Looftlighter into a wall socket, and touch the nose of the lighter to your wood or coals. In about 15 seconds sparks will appear.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for Charcoal or Wood Fireplaces October 13, 2010

By D. Schultz

The Looftlighter is an electric fire starter that is more like a blow dryer on steroids. It contains an electric coil and blows air through the cylinder at a very high rate. Charcoal can be lit is as little as 60 seconds by simply touching the end to the charcoal for 20-30 seconds and backing it away slightly as sparks appear. It can also be used to start wood fireplaces by using the same method on kindling or newspaper.

I found it to be excellent for starting one area in 60 seconds and placing it in one or two other areas of the charcoal pile took about half the time before the charcoal started sparking. It also comes with an attached steel stand (not seen in photo) that also serves as a bottle opener.

Pros
- Starts charcoal faster than wax fire starters or lighter fluid.
- Environmentally responsible because it eliminates petroleum based starters.
- Eliminates the chemical taste that lighter fluid infuses in food.
- Sleek design and easy to use.
- Can be used on charcoal and wood.
- Tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories.

Cons
- Comes with 9.5ft electric cord, but you may need an extension cord if an electric outlet isn't nearby.
- Price may be high depending on the amount of use.

The Last Word
If you're an avid griller and want a quick way to start your charcoal this could be a useful addition to your grilling accessories. The price may deter some from making a purchase, but it depends on the priority you put on price and convenience. I've been happy with mine for the last six months and use it every week.

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Important Negative May 28, 2011

By DaveH

The Looftlighter works very well to start charcoal fires quickly. The powerful blower penetrates heat deep into a pile of charcoal and gets a fire going in a few minutes.

There is one significant negative potential buyers should be aware of regarding this product. The device produces a lot of sparks and the blower sends them all over. I would recommend against using this device in any fire hazardous environment or anywhere flying sparks might be a problem.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Did not last too long! November 4, 2012

By J. Ho

Amazon Verified Purchase

This product worked great, too bad it only lasted 3 months. It will not turn on now. I registered my product. Tried to contact Looftlighter via e-mail they did not respond to my e-mail. Cannot recomend this product, poor customer service. I really liked it when it was working.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Eighty Dollars Thrown in the BBQ!!!!!!! November 28, 2012

By D. Jackson

Amazon Verified Purchase

Ok so I loved the idea, I loved the way it worked - not needing any chemical filled lighter fluid to light the charcoal. But it quit working after about the 4th use and I have made repeated attempts to reach customer service and NO LUCK.... They should change it to a lifetime warranty and maybe they can rope in some more suckers like me.
Because they dont honor the current warranty they have. This really PISSES me off. $80 dollars for 4 uses, I typically take poor reviews with a grain of salt, but if I were you I would not purchase this item solely based on piss poor customer service. I think I will make it my personal agenda to make sure everyone is aware this company sucks. I wish I could rate them with negative stars to pull down the overall rating.... Make no mistake Amazon is great - Looftlighter BLOWS!!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome BBQ tool April 19, 2012

By Mike S.

Amazon Verified Purchase

This thing is great. I went from taking about 20 minutes to start my grill to about 5. Be careful when using it. The first time I used it I left it in the coals too long and melted the outer cage a little bit, but that was user error and no fault of the tool.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Looftlighter fire lighter January 5, 2011

By Sisson5

Amazon Verified Purchase

It does work just as advertised! We use it to start fires in the fireplace. It only takes a few seconds to get small sticks to ignite and that's all you need. You don't need paper or anything else, the looftlighter does just perfect with sticks from the yard. The noise is really NOT as loud as others have indicated. I would recommend this for those who do build quite a few winter fires in their fireplaces.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Stopped working after two months buyer beware March 5, 2013

By Robert J. Malanik

Amazon Verified Purchase

There is no support for returns from amazon as this is rated as a hazardous item and the manufactures web site is no longer functioning (try it looftlighter.com). It worked great for three times then gradually performance degraded to holding it for 1minute to light. I just want a refund or an exchange but I cannot contact the manufacture. Amazon please help.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect to use with BGE... May 11, 2011

By Chris Richards

I love this device. It is perfect for lighting lump charcoal. I can get my BGE grill up to a temp of 400 degrees in 5 minutes, every time. The lighter works by blowing super hot air on the lump charcoal. Once the charcoal is lit, I back the lighter away and it works as a blower, stoking the fire.

Pros- Chemical free.
- always available
- works quickly

cons- the aluminum around the outside is deforming from the heat. It is only cosmetic but is worth noting.
- can cause the lump charcoal to spark.

This is a must have accessory for a BGE... You will not be disappointed!