Home This Innovative Gadget Lights Your Grill in Seconds Without Dangerous Chemicals No lighter fluid necessary. By Katie Macdonald Katie Macdonald Instagram Katie Macdonald is a senior ecommerce food writer, covering everything from chefs' must-have classics to the latest and greatest kitchen gadgets. She previously wrote for Food52, Popular Mechanics, and Men's Health, and you can now find her work on Food & Wine, Allrecipes, People, Real Simple, and more Meredith Corporation brands. Even when she's not writing about food, she's most definitely thinking about it. Editorial Guidelines Published on June 24, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Nothing says summer quite like the heady smell of smoke from a grill. With the power of an open flame, simple vegetables, burgers, chicken, and more transform into bolder, more concentrated versions of themselves, complete with crispy and caramelized exteriors. But if you're going the traditional charcoal route, getting your briquettes or hardwood to catch fire can be a trying task. Courtesy of Williams Sonoma Luckily, we found a clever gadget that cuts down on the time and mess of lighting up the grill, and it's safer to boot. The Looftlighter Electric Firestarter uses patented technology to get your charcoal glowing in 60 seconds with the simple push of a button. What's more, it doesn't require lighter fluid, chemical fuels, or even a match. Le Creuset's Nonstick Cookware Is Up to 40% Off Right Now Developed by a Swedish inventor, the wand-like tool electrically heats air to 1,256 degrees Fahrenheit in a concentrated blast. Whether you're looking to light up charcoal in the smoker, briquettes in your Kamado, or even logs in the fire pit, the powerful gadget works in all types of settings. To operate it, simply set up a pile of fuel, plug in the device to an electrical outlet, then turn it on. After 60 seconds of direct contact, the sparks will fly and you’ll be on your way to cooking. And while you're technically playing with fire, the Looftlighter is incredibly safe. It automatically shuts off after releasing the power button, and its aluminum heat shield cools down within seconds. Plus, because there's no CO2 emissions or toxic chemicals, it's a cleaner alternative to lighter fluid and matches. 20 Classic Grilling Recipes to Make All Summer Long Reviewers at Williams-Sonoma confirm the gadget is an incredibly fast way to get the grill going, with many saying it has replaced their chimney starters. "Works like a champ," one user wrote. "Now I have hot coals up and running in 10 to 15 minutes max versus the half hour plus in the past. I've retired my chimney to the garage for now and using my grill much more often for quick meals." Another added, "If I need a fire NOW, I'll pull out this bad boy." The Looftlighter Electric Firestarter costs just under $80, and Williams-Sonoma is also throwing in free shipping with the code SHIP4FREE. There's no reason why you shouldn't splurge on this grilling upgrade for yourself and enjoy flame-roasted dishes all summer long. Courtesy of Williams Sonoma Shop Now: Looftlighter Electric Firestarter, $80, williams-sonoma.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit