While grilling is a superb experience, there’re many factors that can impact your grilling experience, and one of them is the kind of lighter you’re using. Undeniably, the world has evolved much in recent years, and the act of grilling has consequently seen an evolution. Nowadays, a BBQ lighter offers a super-convenient way to fire your grill. Besides, it can also be used to light your cigars, candles, fireplaces, and stoves.
However, while BBQ lighters are incredibly useful, you could blame yourself if you end up with the wrong model. Essentially, that means you need to be very careful when shopping for the ideal lighter for your grill. To help our readers eliminate confusion, we’ve put together a list of the top six BBQ lighters on the market. While each of our entries here is of high quality, the HomeRight Electro-Torch is the best of the bunch. With its multiple advanced features, this powerful electric lighter has numerous benefits over standard butane lighters and will light up nearly anything.
Before choosing each product, we considered if it’s electric- or butane-powered, rechargeable (refillable) or not, and the dimensions of each as well. Having said that, we’ve added everything you will need apart from our in-depth reviews, which includes a handy comparison table, a buying guide, and an FAQ section.
More features: heats up to 1,500°F; 6-foot power cord
With the market now packed with incredibly convenient modern lighters like the HomeRight Electro-Torch C900085 Lighter, your days of struggling to light your grill with old-school matches or antiquated lighters are now in the past. This sophisticated lighter from HomeRight enables you to conveniently fire up your campfire, wood-burning fireplace, and charcoal barbecue in a matter of seconds. Impressively, it comes with a dual-ignition switch, which gives you multiple options for ignition.
The first option produces super-heated air for the ignition, while the second option generates high-velocity air for fanning the flames. Therefore, you just need to put more heat if you desire a loud fire in a matter of two to three minutes. Also, the fact that this product doesn’t use any chemical is a massive plus. This means that you don’t ever need to be bothered about exhausting your starter fluid or tasting funny substances in your food. Instead of chemical, it ignites your grill, charcoal, or wood with the 1500-degree temperature it produces.
Moving on, we must also add that the manufacturers didn’t forget safety features when they were making this lighter. There is an inbuilt thermal safety switch, which automatically cuts power when the unit is overheated and will reset automatically after it has cooled down. This prevents the unit from getting damaged when it gets to exceedingly high temperatures. However, one drawback that you might find disturbing is that this unit is not rechargeable and only works when plugged in.
More features: a pack of 4; retractable hook for storage
Functional, reliable, safe, and beautiful, the Bic Multipurpose Lighters have nearly everything you have ever desired in a lighter. That’s why they are ideal for all types of occasions, whether you are grilling in your backyard or you just want to use a lighter to light candles for your special occasion. Of course, great attention was paid to details in the manufacturing of these lighters, and that is because BIC has been one of the leading manufacturers of lighters for 40 years.
Speaking of attention to details, these lighters feature a child-resistant system, which protects your kids from hurting themselves while you’re away. Of course, there is nothing like adult supervision, so we encourage you to keep the product away from your small kids regardless. To protect your hands from being burnt, the lighters have a long, durable metal wand, which keeps you at a considerable distance from the fire. For easy storage, they also come with a super-convenient hook, which you can easily retract when you don’t need it.
However, it’s worth noting that these are not like the previous models we’ve reviewed in the fact that it’s butane-powered instead of electric. While that’s not necessarily a drawback, the fact that they are not refillable is the drawback. Another downside we need to mention is that while the child-resistant system is a great way to protect kids, it makes it easy to use the lighters. We wish they could find a way to incorporate the safety system without affecting the ease-of-use of the units.
More features: adjustable flame; zinc alloy metal casing
TECBOSS might not be one of the first names that come to mind when you think about lighters, but the company is holding its own in this industry, thanks to high-quality products like the TECBOSS Torch Lighter. Being a refillable butane-powered lighter, this model can be used for up to 500 times before it will need to be refilled again, and that is extraordinary by any metrics. Not only that, but the lighter is also ridiculously adjustable. That is, you can adjust the height of the lighter’s flame – you just need to rotate the lighter’s wheel.
Furthermore, it would be unfair if we failed to mention the incredible design of this BBQ lighter. Apart from being beautiful, the lighter is also very durable and guarantees a longer service life. Lightweight, rounded, and slim, the lighter feels very good and is also easy to put in your pocket while going outdoors. On top of that, its powerful ignition means the flame will withstand any kind of breeze. It’s also worth noting that it comes in a super-exquisite packaging, making it an excellent gift option for Father’s Day, birthdays of loved ones, and more.
Impressively, it comes with three layers of safety protection, which makes it a safe product to use for everyone, either young or old. Additionally, the unit also comes with windproof and anti-scalding, which is thanks to its full metal casing that is made of high-quality zinc alloy. With this, you can easily use it in any kind of weather without any hassle. However, this lighter doesn’t come pre-filled, so you’ve got to keep that in mind.
More features: 3.9-inch long 360-degree flexible neck, 4 LED lights; safety on/off switch
While the most important thing for any lighter is to be functional, the manufacturers of the GRILLMATIC USB Rechargeable Lighter understand that it’s a massive plus if it’s fashionable as well. That’s why the lighter looks as stylish as much as it’s functional. It sports an ergonomic handle that provides you with soft-touch lighting, as well as a long, flexible neck that can be freely bent in different difficult positions. With these, the lighter is a lot easier, smarter, and safer to use.
Another thing worthy of note is that this lighter is electric-powered and rechargeable, and it’s equipped with a battery indicator that allows you to know when to recharge. However, the battery has been reported to die quickly. Based on the number of times you use it; a full charge may not last for up to 100 times. To make up for this, you can recharge with your computer and power bank, which is another huge indication of how easy it is to use this lighter. Apart from that, the lighter is windproof and eco-friendly, which allows you to use it in any weather or condition.
For safety, the lighter comes with double safety features. The first one is a special safety switch that prevents the lighter to be used by kids. It also prevents it from being ignited accidentally. The second safety feature is a ten-second power-off feature, which will automatically turn it off if you long-press the ignition button for more than ten seconds. But despite all its functionality, this lighter isn’t durable and doesn’t last for long.
More features: 60-minute charge; LED battery indicator
Most times, most cheap products spell danger, and that’s because most of them often reek of low quality. Fortunately, despite being one of the cheapest lighters on the market, the RONXS 872-12 Lighter is completely different. Featuring a rechargeable 220mAh /5V Li-ion battery, this lighter reaches full charge in only 60 minutes and can ignite your grill up to 400 times before it will require a recharge. And since it can be charged via USB, you can connect it with your power bank or computer whenever and anywhere you want.
Furthermore, the lighter sports a splash and windproof design, which will guard the electric pulse of the unit against being blown by wet weather or strong wind. Therefore, this budget-friendly lighter works efficiently in difficult conditions. In terms of its built, it has a lightweight construction, which makes it easy to move around conveniently, even if you’re on a camping trip. Besides, the lighter also looks cool, stylish, and fashionable, so you don’t even need to hide it when you’re around people. Meanwhile, it’s important to note that this lighter doesn’t just light grills – it also lights other things like candles, bowls, and pipes.
When it comes to safety, you can rest assured that the manufacturer surely had the safety of the users in mind. For you to understand, this lighter features an automatic shut-off feature, which automatically shuts the unit off after 14 seconds to avoid accidents. Besides, its long-stretching neck is another safety feature, allowing you to light whatever you want while maintaining a distance. However, most users complain that it takes a longer time than regular lighters to light things. Also, it produces a horrible high-pitch noise each time you turn it on.
More features: safety/power button with LED indicator; soft-touch ABS body
We are no longer in the stone age, and it’s high time we ditched the non-recyclable lighters of those eras and moved to a more viable future of these devices. Thankfully, the powerful Power Practical Sparkr Wick Electric Lighter represents all of these and more. Featuring angled dual-plasma arcs that are connected to a six-inch-long neck, this lighter is designed to reach sticks and wicks that have never been reached. Not only this, but this lighter also has many advantages over a regular butane lighter and is capable of lighting up nearly anything.
With the latest plasma technology that this lighter is equipped with, this lighter instantly fires up whatever you want, even if the environment is wet or windy. It’s also worth adding that the Wick has a somewhat angled head, which enables you to lock onto sticks and wicks and fuse with Jedi-like precision. On top of that, the lighter charges in less than one hour, which is impressive. More impressively, a full charge lasts for several days, which makes it ideal for your off-grid trips.
In terms of design, the Sparkr Wick is elegant, and it’s easy to see that it was made to be the best multipurpose lighter on the market. It has a long wand that will ensure that your hands stay burn free and away from the fire. The fact that you need to press the button trice before it’s ignited is also a great safety feature. Whether you’re looking for something to light up the campfire on your next camping trip or something to keep in your kitchen, this lighter fits the bill perfectly. The only deterring factor may be its slightly expensive price.
If you’re looking to buy the best BBQ lighter, you will find that the market is packed with hundreds of brands and models. Therefore, sticking to what you want instead of claims or adverts you see is important. Obviously, the reviews from the market and the products’ ratings also play a key role. This buying guide aims to inform you about the things you need to know to buy the right lighter for your needs.
In recent years, different types of lighters have taken the center stage, and that means old-school methods of or tools for igniting things have become obsolete. So, if you’re not sure of when and where you can use your lighter instead of your matches, maybe, it’s very easy. First of all, your lighter can be of use when you’re going on a camping trip, and you’re expecting to have wet or windy weather. Obviously, matches do not work well in these conditions, so you might have to use your lighter instead.
In addition, you could use your lighter instead of other methods of ignition if you are in a place where an open flame is not allowed. For such situations, you could opt for a flameless lighter, which generates heat from a closed element like artificial coal or an electric element.
Features to consider while choosing a BBQ lighterBuying the right product in a particular category always requires knowing everything about that product’s features. That said, there’re some important factors you need to consider before making your purchase and below are some of them:
There are different types of lighters you need to consider when looking for a BBQ lighter. The major types are arc lighters, flameless lighters, and butane lighters. Arc lighters are normal electric lighters that operate on a low voltage. They are suitable for smaller tasks in closed areas, which explains why they are the most common choice for BBQ.
Flameless lighters, on the other hand, are unique and uncommon. Instead of generating fire like arc lighters, they create heat from an element like artificial coal or electric element. As you might have guessed, these lighters are ideal for places where using an open flame is forbidden.
The third type of lighters is the butane type. Butane lighters are fairly popular as well, just behind electric lighters. To generate fire, butane lighters burn butane and are usually helpful when you need a constant flame. Most butane models are wind-resistant and are suitable for the outdoors. Like arc lighters, they are also commonly used for BBQ.
Another thing that you need to know is if the lighter is refillable if it’s butane-powered or if it’s rechargeable if it’s battery-powered. Of course, if you look for maximum convenience, it’s always a better option to go for battery-powered lighters instead of butane models. With that said, rechargeable lighters like the Power Practical Sparkr Wick Electric Lighter and the GRILLMATIC USB Rechargeable Lighter are easy to use and take on trips, especially if it can be recharged by a USB device like a computer or a power bank.
Another consideration you need to make is dimensions of the lighter along with its weight. Of course, it’s important to find a lightweight and portable model that can easily fit in your bag or pocket when you travel, especially if you’re a genuine journeyman. In this case, you might also need to consider if the lighter comes with a carrying bag for better portability.
WarrantyThe warranty is another vital factor to think about, and that’s not because you expect the lighter to fail at some point, but because you want to know if the manufacturers of the product are confident in it enough to back it with a warranty. Having said that, the product with the longest warranty on this list is the HomeRight Electro-Torch C900085, with its two-year limited warranty.
Depending on how much you are willing to invest in a BBQ lighter, you might also consider extra factors like LED indicators, colors, design, handle features, and more. We noted your budget there because these extra, fancy features usually increase the cost of these lighters.
Grilling is a super-enjoyable hobby, especially when you have the right tools for it. With a lighter becoming more and more fundamental to grilling enthusiasts nowadays, we think one lighter you can’t do without is the HomeRight Electro-Torch. Functional, powerful, and stylish, what doesn’t this lighter have? A lot of attention was paid to every tiny detail in the manufacturing of this lighter, and it’s the best BBQ lighter on this list.
The Bic Multipurpose Lighters are our second pick, despite being different from our first two models. These lighters are cheap, multifunctional, and reliable – so we couldn’t help but include them in our top 3.
However, running it close is the TECBOSS Torch Lighter. Being a refillable butane-powered lighter, this model can be used for up to 500 times before it will need to be refilled again, and that is extraordinary by any metric.
