If you’re looking for the easiest way to start lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes, a high quality electric charcoal starter is simply the best choice. They are much safer, faster and more reliable than traditional charcoal chimneys. Plus, they have a host of additional features. While there are quite a few varieties out there, we’d specifically recommend a hot air blower as they are the exceptionally fast, highly efficient and overall superior to hot coil type units. After reseagazrching and reviewing over 50 models, we’ve determined the Looftlighter Charcoal Starter is the #1 choice for charcoal grill owners. It’s made from high quality materials, has an incredible feature set and is extremely reliable. If you want the best electric charcoal starter on the market, this is the clear winner.
Keep reading below for our full review of the Looftlighter Charcoal Starter.
Table of Contents
Electric Charcoal Starter Comparison Table
We’ve included the below table so you can quickly and easily compare all of our top choices.
 | #1 (Hot Air Blower) Looftlighter Charcoal Starter | View Review | - Safety Casing - Dead Man's Switch - Quick Cool Technology |  |
 | HomeRight ElectroLight C900046 Fire Starter | View Review | - Automatic Fuse - Thermal Safety Switch - Cooling Stand | |
 | BISON BA001 520 Airlighter | View Review | - Cordless - LED Light - Folding Handle | |
 | AD BBQ Tools Fire Starter | View Review | - 3 Position Switch - Safety Casing - Cooling Base | |
 | BIG GREEN EGG EGGniter Electric Fire Starter | View Review | - 3 Position Switch - Heavy Duty Heat Shield - Cooling Base | |
 | #1 (Hot Coil) FIREUP Electric Charcoal Starter | View Review | - Heavy Duty Coil - Heat Resistant Handle - 10' Extension Cord | |
 | Big Green Egg Electric Starter | View Review | - 3' Power Cord - Heat Resistant Handle - Heavy Duty Coil | |
 | NutriChef Upgraded NutriChef Premium BBQ Grill Starter | View Review | - 6 Pass Coil - Holding Stand - 4.9' Power Cord | |
 | Kamado Joe KJ-ES Electric Starter | View Review | - Angled Coil Design - Heat Resistant Handle - 5' Power Cord | |
 | Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter | View Review | - 2 Pass Coil - Heat Resistant Handle - 10" Power Cord | |
Best Hot Air Electric Charcoal Starter
As one of the newest advances in charcoal lighting technology, hot air electric charcoal starters are clean, efficient, and packed full of features. We’ve researched a ton of different options and culled them down to what we’ve determined are the five best. Scroll down to start reading the reviews and get ready to upgrade your backyard arsenal with the latest in BBQ wizardry.
#1 Looftlighter Charcoal Starter
- Type: Hot Air Blower
- Features: Safety Casing, Dead Man’s Switch, Quick Cool Technology, 10 ft. Cord
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate, Heavy Duty Rubber
- Weight: 3 lbs.
When it comes to charcoal starters, none are better than the Looftlighter. This was the original pioneer of hot air electric charcoal starters and has some of the best features on the market. Using patented hot airstream technology, the Looftlighter can reach an impressive 1256 degrees. This massive heat output allows for super quick charcoal ignition and with the embedded quick cool technology the Looftlighter will be cool to the touch in a snap. If you’re looking for a high quality and reliable electric charcoal starter, this is a great option.
The Looftlighter comes standard with a robust 10 ft. cord giving you tons of freedom to move around your BBQ. Plus, it is made from high quality stainless steel with a durable polycarbonate housing for enhance heat resistance. Another great feature is the dead man type power switch. This immediately cuts power to the device when the power button is released which helps to conserve energy and prevent any accidental ignition. Overall, this is the best electric charcoal starter on the market and offers incredible value, usability and features.
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#2 HomeRight ElectroLight C900046 Fire Starter
- Type: Hot Air Blower
- Features: Safety Casing, Thermal Safety Switch, 10 ft. Cord, Automatic Fuse Reset, Cooling Stand
- Materials: Aluminium, Polycarbonate, Heavy Duty Rubber
- Weight: 2.9 lbs.
With an incredible amount of features, the HomeRight ElectroLight Fire Starter is an awesome addition to any backyard pantry. It offers up to 1300 degrees of superheated air and can start charcoal briquettes, fireplaces or fire pits in as little as 2-3 minutes. Even better, it offers some of the best safety features around. These include, a built in cooling stand, aluminium safety casing and a internal thermal safety switch that activates if the unit overheats. Unlike low tech units, the ElectroLight C900046 also offers an automatic fuse reset so as soon as it cools down, it’s ready to go, no manual reset required.
The HomeRight ElectroLight Fire Starter also comes standard with a 10 foot heavy duty rubber cord for enhanced durability and longevity. The entire unit is made from a variety of high quality aluminum and polycarbonate components. This makes it not only lightweight but also extremely wear and heat resistant, perfect for a backyard BBQ. This electric charcoal starter runs on a standard 120V outlet which is what most residential homes have standard and doesn’t require any special power converters. In summary, the HomeRight ElectroLight Fire Starter is a feature packs option that performs wonderfully and is extremely well priced. When considering the quality of the unit, this is one of the best choices and makes for a great purchase.
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#3 BISON BA001 520 Airlighter
- Type: Hot Air Blower
- Features: Cordless, USB Recharge, Folding Handle, LED Light, Bottle Opener, Butane Heat
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 1.65 lbs.
The BISON BA001 520 Airlighter is an incredible blend of technology, features and function. Not only that, but it offers the convenience of a hot air electric charcoal starter in a portable, cordless package. The Airlights can start up to 30 fires on a single USB recharge and ships with three cans of spare butane gas. The butane allows for super hot flames without the need for electrical, cords or plugs. Plus, due to its high heat output it can get even the most stubborn of charcoal briquettes going in a little over 60 seconds. If you happen to be working in the dark it also offers a handy LED light so you can see what your doing and a bottle opener so you can stay cool in the heat.
Another great feature of the BISON BA001 520 Airlighter is the multi mode switch. It gives you the option to have the heat and blower running simultaneously or just the blower to save on butane. This lets you quickly fan the flames or charcoal and gives you a hotter and cleaner burn. Plus, due to the way the Bison Airlighter uses the butane you don’t have to worry about chemical smells or tastes in your charcoal. This makes for great tasting food that your family and friends will love. If your looking for the best portable electric charcoal starter the Bison 520 Airlight is the way to go.
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#4 AD BBQ Tools Fire Starter
- Type: Hot Air Blower
- Features: 3-Position Switch, Safety Casing, 6’ Power Cord, Can Opener, Cooling Base
- Materials: Aluminium, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 2.15 lbs.
With a high speed blower, powerful heating element and an environmentally friendly design, the AD BBQ Tools Fire Starter is a solid choice for an electric charcoal starter. It operates on a standard 120V outlet and has enough power to light charcoal briquettes in under 90 seconds. Plus, as an electrically operated unit, you don’t have to worry about lighter fluid or butane altering the taste of your food. Even better, it comes with a built in cooling base, 6’ power cord and an integrated can opener making it a versatile multi-function tool.
One of the more defining features of the AD BBQ Tools Fire Starter is the 3-position switch that allows for either a cool or hot stream of air. This fan mode is great for simply blowing the flames and superheating charcoal briquettes. This mode also helps to conserve energy as the heating element uses less power on this setting. Also included is a safety casing that utilizes rapid cooling technology to quickly reduce heat after use. This prevents accidental burning and allow you to quickly store the unit after use. Overall, this is an excellent electric charcoal starter that is easy to use and will work for many seasons to come.
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#5 BIG GREEN EGG EGGniter Electric Fire Starter
- Type: Hot Air Blower
- Features: 3-Position Switch, Heavy Duty Heat Shield, 6’ Power Cord, Cooling Base
- Materials: Aluminium, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 2.25 lbs.
When it comes to name brand charcoal grills, none are more well known than the Big Green Egg. Recently they have decided to enter into the field of electric charcoals starters with the release of the EGGniter Electric Fire Starter. This high power, feature laden device is perfect for your big green egg grill and is excellent at lighting lump charcoal briquettes. While it did originally have some quality issues with the fan motor, those have since been resolved making for an awesome charcoal lighter. Keep in mind however, that the EGGniter is on the higher end of the cost range, similar to other Big Green Egg products.
The EGGniter Electric Fire Starter offers a handy 3-position switch giving you access to hot air and cool ambient air for different modes of operation. It also comes standard with a heavy duty aluminium heat shield to protect the heating element and allows for rapid cooling. Furthermore, it is designed with an integrated cooling base so you can set the EGGniter down without worrying about it burning something. Similar to our other top electric charcoal starters, it has a 6’ power cord and is made from durable aluminium and polycarbonate for enhanced durability and outdoor resistance. Overall, the EGGniter is an excellent product, but in our opinion is a bit overpriced for what you’d get. Instead we’d recommend you go with the Looftlighter as a more cost effective choice.
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Best Hot Coil Electric Charcoal Starter
While not quite as technologically advanced or as fast as a hot air electric charcoal starter, hot coil units offer simple, easy to use operation and enhanced reliability for long term use. After detailed research and comparisons of over 30 different models and brands we’ve compiled the below list of our top 5 choices. Read on to find out what our top picks are and become a charcoal lighting master.
#1 FIREUP Electric Charcoal Starter
- Type: Hot Coil
- Features: Heavy Duty Coil, 10’ Extension Cord, Heat Resistant Handle
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 0.5 lbs.
The FIREUP Electric Charcoal Starter is a safe, reliable and durable device that simply works. With 800W of power your charcoal briquettes will be ready to go in around 8 minutes. Plus the simple design means you can set it and forget it. No need to hold it for minutes at a time or worry about a fuse tripping. Meanwhile, the robust coil and handle are made to take a beating and can survive drops, spills and damage like a champ.
A rather unique feature is how the FIREUP Electric Charcoal Starter comes standard with a 10’ foot extension cord and a small tail cord attached to the unit. This allows for easy storage and enhanced versatility. This unit comes with a standard plug for super easy operation, just stick it in, click it on and you’ll be in business. Overall, this is an excellent hot coil electric charcoal starter due to its minimalist design, hassle free operation and low cost. While the other starters on our list are great, this one is simply a step above the rest and easily claims the #1 spot.
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#2 Big Green Egg Electric Starter
- Type: Hot Coil
- Features: Heavy Duty Coil, 3’ Power Cord, Heat Resistant Handle
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 0.5 lbs.
If you’re a self proclaimed “Egghead” the Big Green Egg Electric Starter might be just what you’re after. This brand name product has a fairly simple feature set that truly shines when paired with a Big Green Egg charcoal grill. With a contoured heating coil, durable handle and a simplistic design it is the perfect charcoal grill accessory. Plus, as a Big Green Egg product you know it is made from quality stainless steel and built to last.
The Big Green Egg Electric Starter boasts an impressive 600W heating element which is perfect for quickly heating up charcoal briquettes. Plus, with its unique design it is able to fit any size Big Green Egg with ease. While we wouldn’t recommend this electric charcoal starter for non-Big Green Egg owners it is an ideal choice for those who own one. The only real downside to this unit is the fairly short 3’ power cord. This can be easily solved by using any old extension cord but it is something to note. Overall, this is an excellent and well made product that functions perfectly and has the durability to last for hundreds of uses.
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#3 NutriChef Upgraded NutriChef Premium BBQ Grill Starter
- Type: Hot Coil
- Features: 6 Pass Coil, 4.9’ Power Cord, Heat Resistant Handle, Holding Stand
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 2.46 lbs.
Next up on our list is the impressive NutriChef Premium BBQ Grill Starter. This unique electric charcoal starter offers an impressive 6 pass coil design for maximum charcoal contact and impressive heating speed. Plus, it has a larger overall coil which is great for igniting substantial charcoal beds and for bigger grills. The main unit has a robust 4.9’ power cord which is more than long enough for daily use. If you don’t have an outlet close by though, you’ll want to grab an heat resistant extension cord. When your ready to put the NutriChef down, it comes with a handy stand so you don’t burn yourself or your outdoor furniture.
Material wise the NutriChef Premium BBQ Grill Starter is made from durable steel and heat resistant polycarbonate. These materials are great at resisting heat damage and are ideal for an outdoor setting. Even more, they are very easy to clean which helps to reduce maintenance and downtime. This electric charcoal starter use a standard 110V outlet and outputs an impressive 600W of heat for reliable charcoal starting operation. If you’re in the market for a budget electric charcoal starter that just works, this makes an excellent choice and isn’t laden down with too many extra features.
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#4 Kamado Joe KJ-ES Electric Starter
- Type: Hot Coil
- Features: 5’ Power Cord, Heat Resistant Handle, Angled Coil Design
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 1 lb.
The Kamado Joe KJ-ES Electric Starter is a another electric charcoal starter geared towards a specific grill. As the name suggests it works perfectly with Kamado branded grills, but in reality it’ll work with just about any egg shaped grill. *cough* Big Green Egg *cough* With 600W of heat it is able to start a pile of charcoal briquettes in around 8-10 minutes. While not as fast as a blow electric starter, it is much more reliable and able to be used in even less than ideal conditions. You can also use to to start fire pits or fireplaces with ease.
The Kamado Joe KJ-ES Electric Starter comes standard with an angled stainless steel element that is not only resistant to rust, but also very easy to clean. It measures in at about 5.5” across and 1.5” wide giving you more than enough surface area to get the job done. If you’re looking for something a bit bigger you might want to consider the NutriChef Premium BBQ Grill Starter instead. Overall this is a very well designed electric charcoal starter and it does the job wonderfully. While it may be a bit more expensive than a true budget option, it is very low cost and still provides a ton of value.
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#5 Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter
- Type: Hot Coil
- Features: 10” Power Cord, Heat Resistant Handle, 2 Pass Coil Design
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate
- Weight: 0.35 lb.
The Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter is the cheapest option on our list, yet still provides incredibly functionally. While it may not have fancy multi-pass coils designs or dedicated quick cooling technology, it provide fast and efficient heat and will get your lump charcoal starter 100% of the time, every time. We love its minimalist look and how easy it is to store. With a short 10” cord it can easily fit in even small spaces and yet it more than large enough to do the job.
The Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter has a 550W heating element that should get your charcoal hot enough in around 8 minutes. If you want to be extra safe you can leave it for 10. However we’d recommend you not go beyond that as you can damage the device. At 17.5” long it is perfect for medium sized grills and won’t ruin the flavor of your meat with noxious chemicals or dangerous lighter fluid. If you want that absolute lowest cost electric charcoal starter, this is definitely the best choice on the market.
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Buyers Guide
In this section we’ll cover the in’s and out’s of electric charcoal starters. This includes how to use them, proper maintenance techniques, various accessories and more. If you’re a bit unsure if an electric charcoal lighter is for you, take a quick glance at this section first. This will give you an inside look into the various advantages of electric charcoal lighters, compared different heating elements and help you make a more informed buying decision.
Why buy an Electric Charcoal Starter?
From lighter fluid to charcoal chimneys, there are a ton of different options to light your charcoal briquettes. However, one of the best and safest methods, is to use an electric charcoal starter. These handy little gadgets use either hot hair or hot coils to quickly ignite a charcoal pile with no fuss and no mess.
With no open flames, an electric charcoal starter is much safer to use than a traditional charcoal chimney. Plus, they have the added advantage of producing no smoke and no smell. This makes them great for backyard BBQ’s and summer parties where efficiency and safety are top priorities.
Due to their electric design, you’ll also have a lot less cleanup to deal with as both hot air and hot coil electric charcoal starters produce zero soot. Basically, this mean you won’t have a black and gritty chimney to wash after lighting charcoal and your hands won’t be covered in black gunk either. If you simply want an easy to use briquette igniter, an electric charcoal starter is the way to go.
Another reason you’d want to considers an electric charcoal starter is for their small size. Due to the electric element and unique design, they take up a fraction of the space a chimney or bottle of lighter fluid require. Plus, they are very robustly designed and come in a wide variety of shapes and size to suit your needs. This makes them easy to store, handle and use whether your a BBQ pro or an up and coming chef.
As with any gadget though, there are a few downsides to electric charcoal starters. The main concern being that they required electricity to run. Almost all of the options on our list require a wall outlet to function and this does limit where you can use them. If you’re planning a camping adventure you might instead opt for a cordless electric charcoal starter like the Bison Airlighter. That being said, if your at home, the cords are more than long enough to reach even out of the way grills.
We’d also like to mention that it probably isn’t in your best interest to us an electric charcoal starter in the rain. The internal electronics can potentially malfunction and leave you with a pile of cold charcoal. If you have to grill in the rain, be sure to light your charcoal under a grill gazebo to protect your charcoal starter and your health.
What Type of Electric Charcoal Starter is Best?
When it comes to an electric charcoal starter, there are two main types commonly seen on the market. The first is a more traditional hot coil type unit. These use pass an electric current through a steel coil to heat it up and provide the necessary energy to ignite charcoal briquettes.
The second, and in our opinion better choice, is a hot air electric charcoal starter. These use an internal heating element to superheat incoming air. Afterwards a powerful blower forces the heated air onto the charcoal which quickly raises it to the required combustion temperature.
We recommend a hot air electric charcoal starter as they are more efficient, heat quicker, and are cleaner systems. Unlike a coil type system, the heated air is able to make much more contact with the charcoal briquettes. This is due to the way air flows into cracks and crevices and can easily enter a charcoal pile. With a coil system, you’re only getting direct heating contact on a few of the briquettes and most of the heat energy is wasted.
Furthermore, a hot air electric charcoal starter never comes into direct contact with the charcoal making it far cleaner and less prone to damage. Over time, repeated contact with the charcoal can result in scratching and bending of the coil which leads to premature device failure. A hot air system however, has none of these issues and while they do require a bit more care and are a tad bit more expensive, they are an overall a better choice.
Charcoal Chimney vs. Electric Charcoal Starter
If you’re thinking about upgrading your traditional charcoal chimney to an electric charcoal starter, it’s important to know the difference between the two options.
Charcoal chimneys have been the go-to choice for quite a few years now, however with the introduction of electric charcoal starters, more and more people are making the switch. The classic chimney is great if you want a super cheap option and aren’t worried about open flames or soot. They are fairly easy to use as well, just pour in some charcoal briquettes, crumple up some newspaper, lit it and wait. However if the paper goes out and the charcoal doesn’t light you won’t know until you check on it later.
With an electric charcoal starter you’ll only have to wait a couple of minutes for your briquettes to be ready and because you’re standing there you’ll never have unlit pieces. Also they provide much more even heating of the briquettes and can’t be blown out in a strong wind gust. Even more, because you’re physically watching the process it’s much safer and there is a significantly reduced fire risk. The downside of these however is they require power to operate and are not suitable for campground that lack power outlets.
Overall both of these items work great for lighting charcoal. If you’re just starting out, a charcoal chimney might just be the right choice, however we’d still recommend you opt for the electric option as in the long run, it’s a better choice and has a lot of added features that make BBQ’s more fun and take the hassle out of starting your briquettes.
How to use a Hot Air Electric Charcoal Starter
If you’re used to a traditional charcoal chimney, there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to hot air electric charcoal starters. However, they are very easy to use and once you get the technique down, much safer and more efficient than their old school counterparts.
To start off, you’ll want to arrange your briquettes in a pile on your grilling surface or, if you have one handy, a charcoal chimney. Once you’ve got the charcoal in place you can plug in your hot air electric charcoal starter and position it an inch or two away from the briquettes. Be sure to read the user’s manual to determine the recommended amount of time to hold it near the briquettes. Once they are just starting to glow orange and catch fire you’ll know they are lit and ready to go.
In order to be extra safe, make sure you keep any plastic components and cords away from the hot charcoal and they can melt and damage your device. This is much less likely on a hot air electric charcoal starter, but is still something you want to be aware of. Also be sure not to place the hot starter on a meltable surface as it will be quite warm after use.
Hot to use a Hot Coil Electric Charcoal Starter
If you’ve decided to opt for a hot coil electric charcoals starter, the process is very similar with only a few small changes.
First, you’ll want to pile half of your charcoal briquettes in a charcoal chimney or on top of your grilling surface. Afterwards, place the unplugged and unheated electric charcoal starter on top of the pile. Next, you should add the additional charcoal on top of the the hot coils. The goal is to have as many charcoal briquettes in contact with the coil as possible. Once every this is arranged you can plug in the hot coil electric charcoal starter and wait the recommended amount of time per the manufacturer’s manual. Each starter uses a different amount of power, as such, the time to light your charcoal will vary.
Similar to the hot air electric charcoal starter, you’ll know the briquettes are ready to use when they start to catch fire and glow a bright orange color. Once they are lit, you can simply remove the starter and place it in an out of the way location to cool as it will be very hot to the touch. Also be sure to keep any plastic components away from the hot coals as they can easily melt, leaving you with a hot sticky mess to clean up.
Electric Charcoal Starter Maintenance
One of the great reasons to choose a traditional charcoal chimney starter is their fairly maintenance free operation. With an electric charcoal starter there are a few things you should consider doing to keep your device ready to go at a moments notice and to help it have a long lifespan.
If you only take one things away from this section we’d recommend you simply roll up your electric charcoal starter cord properly. Fraying cords are the #1 cause of premature device failure and can lead to a host of unintended effects. Whether you have a hot air or hot coil type starter, there is a good chance it’ll have a typical power cord that needs to be rolled up after use. The best technique is called the over under method and we have linked the video below which demonstrates it. This simply method is a great way to boost your devices lifespan and can be used for all sorts of corded electric gadgets.
Another thing to keep in mind, and this goes for charcoal chimneys as well is to keep your electric charcoal starter out of the humidity. Over time the humid air can eat away at any metal components and damage necessary seals and connections. This can lead to reduced heat output, damaged components or even destroy the heating elements. It’s best to always store your charcoal starters in a dry areas that won’t get rained on or damp. If your in the humid south, we’d recommend you store your electric charcoal starter inside where it is totally safe from the elements.
If you’ve decided that you prefer a coil type electric charcoal starter, you’ll occasionally need to clean the coils off. This helps to prevent carbon build up and reduced any fire risk. Plus it allows for better heat transfer which will let you quickly light your charcoal and reduce wasted time. To clean the coils, we’d recommend you grab something similar to the Scotch-Brite 746 Quick Clean Heavy Duty Griddle Pad. This will lets you get rid of any stuck on bits of carbon or grill grease that may have built up over time. Plus it’ll save you some elbow grease as it is very abrasive and works quite quickly.
Another maintenance task you’ll want to do at least once a season is make sure that all the screws on your electric charcoal starter are tight. If you have fairly regular outdoor BBQ’s it can be quite easy to forget about a small detail such as this. However a quick turn with a screwdriver will keep your device in tip top shape and will prevent any connection from coming loose and keep your electric charcoal starter in better overall shape.
In general, electric charcoal starters are fairly maintenance free, if you just keep them out of harm’s way, clean them off and keep them away from humidity they will be a great backyard tool and will last you for many years to come.
Electric Charcoal Starter Accessories
Because you’re reading this page now, there is a really good chance that you have or will soon have a charcoal grill and an electric charcoal lighter. As such, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have all the necessary accessories to make the most of your new purchase. We’ve compiled a list of the top 4 items that will come in handy and allow you to enjoy and care for your new backyard toys.
Heat Resistant Gloves
If your lighting charcoal there is going to be heat involved no matter what system you choose. Plus, with BBQing in general it’s a great idea to get a nice set of heat resistant gloves so you can stay safe and BBQ in comfort. Our top choice are the Simdevanma Oven Gloves. This high tech accessory is great at protecting your hands from the heat and has an excellent coating to give them enhanced grip and resistance.
Made from a mix of Aramid, fiber and silicon, they can withstand heat up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit and they look great too. If you only had to choose one accessory on this list, get these gloves. They will last a lifetime and will save you from many, many, burns. Plus, they are fairly inexpensive and make for a great gift as well.
BBQ Ash Bucket and Shovel
Whether you have a wood burning smoker, charcoal grill or an traditional fireplace a good ash bucket and shovel will go a long way to making cleanup a snap. We’d recommend the Panacea 15343 Ash Bucket with Shovel as it has a great, simple design and is built to last. Plus, it comes with a shovel so you can easily scoop out any residual ash and with the high shovel sides, you won’t have to worry about it blowing away.
With a large 12.5” diameter and a substantial 13” of height, this ash bucket is more than large enough for even a massive BBQ. Furthermore, the bucket and shovel are black coated making them very rust resistant and won’t show soot or ash stains that tend to build up over time.
Lump Charcoal
If your looking for the best lump charcoal on the market, the clear winner is Fogo Super Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal. It offers superior heat, performance and minimal residual ash. This hand selected charcoal also boasts a delicious smoked hardwood aftertaste which is great for any BBQ and we can almost assure you your guests will love the taste.
If your looking for that special flavor to really give your food an extra kick, this is a great option. While cheap store bought charcoal does the trick as well, it just doesn’t have quite the same flavor. Plus Fogo is a great name brand and you know you’ll be getting top notch charcoal briquettes and the highest quality possible.
Grill Grate Lifter
Another great accessory that compliments an electric charcoal starter is a grill grate lifter. This handy little tool allow you to quickly and safely pick up grill grates so you can spread the charcoal around or shift it into your desired position. We’d recommend the Charcoal Companion CC1089 Grill Grate Lifter as it is made from high quality steel and had a reliable and robust design. Plus, it has a spring mechanism that tightly grabs the grate to prevent it from slipping around.
Summary – The Best Electric Charcoal Starter
Overall we’d recommend the Looftlighter Charcoal Starter for a hot air type charcoal starter and the Big Green Egg Electric Starter for a hot coil option. Each of these perform incredibly and are extremely reliable. Plus, they can quickly and easily light a large amount of charcoal with little to no mess. If we had to choose just one, we’d go with the Looftlighter Charcoal Starter as it offers the best performance and is an overall incredible piece of technology and does a great job of upping your BBQ game.
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