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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.
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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
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them.
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