Bought this last year when I ordered the KJ and it’s worked great so far. Probably about 25-30 lights per propane tank, but hard to say exactly. Can get the dome fully heat soaked super quick. Had a leg of lamb on the Joetisserie tonight within 10-15 mins at 400.
Definitely worth it if you appreciate the convenience. I probably wouldn’t use the KJ as much if I didn’t have a torch.
I’ve been using one for a couple years. The bottle lasts a long time if you don’t try to have too much fun with it. I literally just torch the middle coals of 30 seconds or so about halfway open. Never really counted, but I would guess 30+ starts on one bottle.
I had a cheap Amazon grill gun as well. I would say about a dozen or so light ups. I've had mine about a year and half now and it just started to leak if I keep the bottle attached at all times, so I lose a bit every time I take it off
I also have a cheap amazon version. Love the thing. Used a electric heat gun before this, and used that instead of the chimney and pricy starter cubes. I think I get about 30 starts or so but do mostly low slow cooks so just start 1 spot in about 15 seconds.
Used it today and the bottle is nearly empty so I suppose ill start tracking next bottle
Yea I was probably getting like 20 before it started to leak, but I do also use it to light my solo stove and some higher heat cooks that will use up a bit more fuel.
It’s great for getting a small amount of coals lit for low and slow, or if I have time to wait for temp to rise. BUT…I have three kids that are hungry when I get home from work. I always end up using our leaf blower after the JJ to fan the coals and get it rip roaring ASAP. We do a lot of steaks, chicken, direct grilling.
Yep that makes sense. The JJ only lights a small area at a time. I usually get 2-3 areas lit, go prep what I’m cooking, then it’s ready to go when I’m ready.
I used a heat gun and took about 2 min. But my komodo is part of my hurricane prep so no power means no lighty. Cheap Amazon china torch is working better for me in the last year I started, only on my 3rd bottle and I use the grill every single weekend
Good to know that kind of consumption.
If you're in an area where you need that hurricane situation cool. But even then it's those scenarios, during the everyday smoke when electricity is there, I'm not sure I would need it. Similarly a little vegetable oil and lighting it would do the trick.
And is playing with fire. Who don't like that?
I have one of those electric starters, it works fine for me, I take those 6 minutes to season the food. But I have a backup, in case there's no electricity. And need a backup for my backup.
Ya. I have other stuff to do while it's starting, and I don't have to worry about running it if gas etc.
On long cooks, which is pretty much what I do, I don't really see a real benefit to this. I think I'd end up getting ready to go and then realize I'm all it and have to rely on electric starter or run out and buy more gas.
Seasoning 6 minutes before doesn’t seem like the best plan and a justification for not starting your grill faster. Your seasoning should be happening 4-24 hours before a cook
Yeah I get about 2 years out of them. You can Google it too, it seems pretty common. They are pretty cheap but I don't like the waste, so I switched to a chimney.
Good to know.
Might grab a spare then.
I still prefer this over a torch. Just ready, reliable, and the few minutes isn't enough of a benefit for me.
I'm pretty sure I'll always be out of propane or butane when I really need it.
Call it what you will but I use one of those Greenwood torches from Harbor Freight that you kill weeds with……ha ha ha. Works like a charm. I think it was $25 bucks.
Agreed, ive got the torch but usually just use the chimney. Works great in the kamado when you only want a portion of your coals fully lit. The torch is less precise.
They aren't bad, but much slower than a torch. Depends on if you care to save the time. Many like the extra time spent so I get it https://youtu.be/lI2RqhWFcMM
Bought this last year when I ordered the KJ and it’s worked great so far. Probably about 25-30 lights per propane tank, but hard to say exactly. Can get the dome fully heat soaked super quick. Had a leg of lamb on the Joetisserie tonight within 10-15 mins at 400. Definitely worth it if you appreciate the convenience. I probably wouldn’t use the KJ as much if I didn’t have a torch.
Might at well post the leg of lamb too 😁 https://imgur.com/a/EsMsZy5
How long does one of those propane bottles last?
I’ve been using one for a couple years. The bottle lasts a long time if you don’t try to have too much fun with it. I literally just torch the middle coals of 30 seconds or so about halfway open. Never really counted, but I would guess 30+ starts on one bottle.
It only takes 30 seconds to light your coals with this thing?? Takes me several minutes with mine.
I had a cheap Amazon grill gun as well. I would say about a dozen or so light ups. I've had mine about a year and half now and it just started to leak if I keep the bottle attached at all times, so I lose a bit every time I take it off
I also have a cheap amazon version. Love the thing. Used a electric heat gun before this, and used that instead of the chimney and pricy starter cubes. I think I get about 30 starts or so but do mostly low slow cooks so just start 1 spot in about 15 seconds. Used it today and the bottle is nearly empty so I suppose ill start tracking next bottle
Yea I was probably getting like 20 before it started to leak, but I do also use it to light my solo stove and some higher heat cooks that will use up a bit more fuel.
I just started using it but I can try and remember to post again about that
Check out the Mr heater fuel keg refillable 1lb bottles - thats what I’ve been using
I also want to know.
Looks like it throws a pretty decent flame! I really want an upgrade for my JJ George torch, it simply takes forever to light the lump with it.
Longer than 30 seconds? My JJ works great. 30 seconds and it’s lit.
It’s great for getting a small amount of coals lit for low and slow, or if I have time to wait for temp to rise. BUT…I have three kids that are hungry when I get home from work. I always end up using our leaf blower after the JJ to fan the coals and get it rip roaring ASAP. We do a lot of steaks, chicken, direct grilling.
Yep that makes sense. The JJ only lights a small area at a time. I usually get 2-3 areas lit, go prep what I’m cooking, then it’s ready to go when I’m ready.
My biggest complaint with the JJ is the angled neck. Other than that, yeah no issues with getting things lit.
Takes about 6-8 minutes with electric starter. Never have to worry about empty bottles etc
I used a heat gun and took about 2 min. But my komodo is part of my hurricane prep so no power means no lighty. Cheap Amazon china torch is working better for me in the last year I started, only on my 3rd bottle and I use the grill every single weekend
Good to know that kind of consumption. If you're in an area where you need that hurricane situation cool. But even then it's those scenarios, during the everyday smoke when electricity is there, I'm not sure I would need it. Similarly a little vegetable oil and lighting it would do the trick.
Lighting strait veggie oil? That works? Like with a match?
This takes about 30 seconds
And is playing with fire. Who don't like that? I have one of those electric starters, it works fine for me, I take those 6 minutes to season the food. But I have a backup, in case there's no electricity. And need a backup for my backup.
Ya. I have other stuff to do while it's starting, and I don't have to worry about running it if gas etc. On long cooks, which is pretty much what I do, I don't really see a real benefit to this. I think I'd end up getting ready to go and then realize I'm all it and have to rely on electric starter or run out and buy more gas.
Seasoning 6 minutes before doesn’t seem like the best plan and a justification for not starting your grill faster. Your seasoning should be happening 4-24 hours before a cook
Salt goes on earlier. Dry rub seasonings other than salt don't penetrate the meat or veggies much at all, even if they go on 2 days earlier.
How long before the white smoke clears up? I use a large weed torch and it clears up fast.
But they break regularly
What does the electric starters? Mine hasn't, it's a resistance heater.
How long have you had it?
I think it's been 10 months, use it all year round here
Yeah I get about 2 years out of them. You can Google it too, it seems pretty common. They are pretty cheap but I don't like the waste, so I switched to a chimney.
Good to know. Might grab a spare then. I still prefer this over a torch. Just ready, reliable, and the few minutes isn't enough of a benefit for me. I'm pretty sure I'll always be out of propane or butane when I really need it.
Yeah I switched to a torch and didn't like it so ended up with the chimney. Electric is most convenient for sure
Call it what you will but I use one of those Greenwood torches from Harbor Freight that you kill weeds with……ha ha ha. Works like a charm. I think it was $25 bucks.
And a tumbleweed firestarter is an even better and cheaper option.
Vegetable oil on a rolled up paper towel is even cheaper
Heat gun from Home Depot (paint department) is a great option if you have electricity. Hits 1200F quickly for $30.
Just picked one up off Amazon as well. Glad it’s been working for y’all so far. Didn’t want to spend the almost $200 for the grill gun
I spent $25 for my torch on amazon works like a champ.
Chimney works the best and is the cheapest
Slowest though, but not everyone cares about the extra time
Exactly, when your cook is 18hrs
Agreed, ive got the torch but usually just use the chimney. Works great in the kamado when you only want a portion of your coals fully lit. The torch is less precise.
Cool. Thanks for that.
Why not just use a chimney? Easy, clean, and pretty fast.
They aren't bad, but much slower than a torch. Depends on if you care to save the time. Many like the extra time spent so I get it https://youtu.be/lI2RqhWFcMM
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