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See why.Grill Lighters
Grill lighters have long necks to keep your fingers at a safe distance from the flames. We fired up five models to see which ones got the job done.
Published July 1, 2010. Appears in Cook's Country June/July 2012
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What You Need To Know
Grill lighters have long necks to keep your fingers at a safe distance from the flames. We fired up five models priced from about $5 to just under $40, testing wind resistance and fuel efficiency (measuring the number of lights per tank), the distance between flame and fingers, and flame length. Flexible necks were a plus—-especially when lighting chimney starters from underneath—as were refillable chambers with large, easy-to-read fuel windows. In the end, our moderately-priced winner ignited easily, stayed lit even in windy gusts, and sported a comfortable grip, while its unique adjustable flame could flare from 1/3 inch to 2 inches.
Everything We Tested
Highly Recommended
- Wind resistance: 3 stars out of 3.
- Comfort/Ease of use: 3 stars out of 3.
Both the easiest to light and the most comfortable to handle, this model offered a unique length-adjustable flame that stayed lit even in the face of gusty wind. One complaint: While fuel consumption was comparable to other models on the lowest setting, it became a gas guzzler when turned up high.
Recommended
- Wind resistance: 2 stars out of 3.
- Comfort/Ease of use: 3 stars out of 3.
This simple, disposable bargain model boasted excellent fuel efficiency and moderate comfort. It came up short in a few areas: The flame was not adjustable; the fuel window was opaque and made it hard to see when fuel was almost out, and the flame couldn’t resist anything stronger than a light breeze.
Recommended with reservations
- Wind resistance: 3 stars out of 3.
- Comfort/Ease of use: 1 stars out of 3.
Once lit, the flexible neck; large, clear fuel window; and wind-resistant flame worked well. Unfortunately, any flame size adjustment was negligible, and general operation—simply trying to spark a light—was a hassle.
- Wind resistance: 2 stars out of 3.
- Comfort/Ease of use: 1 stars out of 3.
A dead ringer for the Bernzomatic Flexible Lighter, save for “premium” features like an LED light and a bottle opener. This lighter demonstrated better fuel efficiency than its simpler sibling, but only because of its wimpy, wind-whipped flame—at full blast, it was just half the size of the standard Bernzomatic’s low setting.
Not Recommended
- Wind resistance: 1 stars out of 3.
- Comfort/Ease of use: 1 stars out of 3.
Besides its non-ergonomic ignition button, tiny, hidden flame adjustment knob, lack of a fuel window, and weak flame, this most expensive model didn’t even come with fuel.
Reviews you can trust
Reviews you can trust
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