GETTING your barbecue started can be time-consuming and difficult - so being equipped with the best BBQ lighter on hand will make things easier and safer for you.
We've rounded up the best options on the market and given you the low down on how to light a barbecue safely, so read on to find the best option for you.
Although you can use matches or cigarette lighters to start a barbecue, using a BBQ lighter is much easier and safer.
Unlike matches, these wand-shaped lighters only go out when you want them to.
And the long, metal wick means you’re never close to the flame, reducing the chances of you getting burned.
Another benefit is that they can be easily refilled or recharged, which means your device can last for years, saving you money in the long run.
Best BBQ lighters: At a glance
1. R2K 3 Pack Kitchen BBQ Lighter
R2K 3 Pack Kitchen BBQ Lighter, £5.99 from Amazon - buy here
If you want to get more for your money, you can't go wrong with the pack of three R2K Kitchen BBQ Lighters, which at just £5.99 are one of our top bargain buys.
They come with a long-range ignition barrel along with an adjustable flame, that can be extended to make enlighting firefighters much safer. It also comes with a child-locking system, which gives you peace of mind if any little hands manage to get hold of them.
The lighters come in Pink, Black, Blue, Red, White, Yellow, and Fuchsia, but you will not be able to specify which, as you'll be sent a random selection of three.
Dimensions: 27cm x 4cm Refillable: Yes Rechargeable: No Windproof: No
2. Aspire UK BBQ lighter with refill
Aspire UK BBQ lighter with a refill, £9.10 from Amazon - buy here
Another budget-friendly pick is the Aspire BBQ Lighter which comes in a bundle pack of three, along with a refill can for just £9.10 which will last you for years to come - making it our top pick for refillable lighters.
The set of three lighters comes equipped with a child safety lock to ensure no unwanted accidents happen, and better still you'll find the flame can be adjusted to suit your needs.
Unlike other packs, this comes with a 300ml can of butane gas that you can use to refill the lighters, saving you money in the long run.
Dimensions: 27cm x 4cm Refillable: Yes Rechargeable: No Windproof: No
3. REIDEA Electric USB Flameless Rechargeable Lighter
REIDEA Electric USB Flameless Rechargeable Lighter, £9.99 from Amazon - buy here
This stylish little device will last you a lifetime and it's one of the safest ways to get your barbeques started, and we love it because it's rechargeable.
The REIDEA Electric USB Lighter produces isn't like your traditional lighter as it produces no flames - instead, it creates a high-voltage electrical current that can be used to ignite fires.
The advantage of using a current over a flame is that it makes the REIDEA completely windproof, so you can wave goodbye to the annoyance of trying in vain to get your barbecue fired up when the weather isn't on your side.
We love it because it's rechargeable using a USB port, so there’s never any need to pay extra for gas canisters to refill it, just charge it up and you're all set.
Dimensions: 8.7cm x 1.2cm Refillable: No Rechargeable: Yes Windproof: Yes
4. Looftlighter Hot Air Barbecue Lighter
Looftlighter Hot Air Barbecue Lighter, £74.99 from Lakeland - buy here
If you're looking for a failsafe that's something a little out of the ordinary, the Looftlighter Hot Air Lighter from Lakeland is the way to go.
Unlike your average barbeque lighter this beauty doesn't use a flame or a current, but hot air instead.
Better still, it will work a treat to get your coals glowing with or without firefighters, as the Looflighters can reach a maximum of 600C to blow hot air over your coals, helping them to catch fire quickly.
It comes in at a premium of £74.99 though, but if your budget can stretch to it then it's well worth the investment, as it's not just for those summer barbeques, this can also be used on log burners and fireplaces too.
You don't have to worry about any accidents either as it comes with a safety casing that cools it down in seconds.
The device does need mains electricity to work though, so you’ll need an outdoor plug or extension cord ready.
Dimensions: 45cm (3m cable) Refillable: No Rechargeable: (Mains power) Windproof: Yes
5. The USB Lighter Company Electric Candle Lighter
The USB Lighter Company Electric Candle Lighter, £25 from Amazon - buy here
Our top pick when it comes to a flameless lighter is the Electric Candle Lighter from the USB Lighter Company- which features an easy-switch button for safer lighting every time.
It uses ARC technology, which produces a steady current that holds up strongly to easily light your candles, fireplace, or barbeques, unlike other weak flameless lighters.
ARC technology is derived from the Tesla coil, which produces heat via a small arc of high-voltage electrical current that's hotter than a traditional lighter in a small area, making the electric lighter rechargeable and long-lasting.
It can fully charge in just 1.5 hours, and the large battery makes it reliable for years of use both indoors and outdoors.
Dimensions: 30.3cm x 2.79cm Refillable: No Rechargeable: Yes Windproof: Yes
6. Kitchen Craft butane gas lighter
Kitchen Craft Butane Gas Lighter, £3.99 from Nisbets - buy here
If you are shopping on a budget then you can't do better than the Kitchen Craft Butane Gas Lighter, which at just £3.99 is one the most affordable barbeque lighters we've found.
It's a slimline gas lighter with a refillable cylinder, perfect for lighting candles, stoves, gas hobs, and barbecues, and has a much sleeker-looking design than your average butane lighter, and features a wind-resistant tip to help protect the flame from going out while also keeping your hands safe.
And at just 18cm long, the slender size is ideal for keeping in the kitchen drawer and ready at hand when the barbeque finally makes its appearance in summer.
Dimensions: 18cm Refillable: Yes Rechargeable: No Windproof: Yes
7. Yuelai Butane Windproof Lighter
Yuelai Butane Windproof Lighter, £8.99 from Amazon - buy here
If you want to battle the elements then the Yuelai Butane Lighter is our top pick for you, it is both lightweight and comes with a strong windproof flame.
It's made of aluminium alloy metal with an electroplated surface, while the flame nozzle utilizes high-temperature resistant ceramic, which will not deform after long-term use.
We love that it comes with a visible window, so you can see when you are due for a refill and avoid any disappointment when you come to light up your barbecue.
While most of us wait for the sun to make an appearance before dusting off our BBQ sets, some brave souls will battle the elements to enjoy the British favourite, and you'll want the Yuelai Lighter at hand as it features a flame-regulating valve at the bottom which can be adjusted so the firepower can easily resist strong winds.
Dimensions: 2cm x 2cm x 15cm Rechargeable: No Refillable: Yes Windproof: Yes
Where to buy a BBQ lighter
BBQ lighters are readily available, especially during the summer months, and you can buy them in most larger supermarkets.
There is a huge selection online, and you can even purchase them in DIY stores, usually along with the rest of your barbecue kit.
We’ve rounded up some of the most popular options below:
How to light a BBQ without lighter fluid
Using lighter fluid might seem like the easiest way to get a barbecue started but it can be dangerous and, because it doesn’t burn away completely, it can end up in your food.
While the level of toxicity is low, it’s definitely not good for you.
It’s not hard to start a barbecue without lighter fluid once you get the hang of it though.
How to use a BBQ chimney lighter
If you barbecue regularly, it’s worth investing in a BBQ chimney lighter like this one from Weber, which makes it easy to light coals even on a windy day or if you don’t have a sheltered spot.
Here is how it's done:
How much do lighters for BBQs cost?
You don't have to fork out a fortune for barbecue lighters, with plenty of low-cost budget buys available alongside some more premium options.
If you are shopping on a budget you can pick up a refillable lighter for as little as £3.99, like the Kitchen Craft Butane Gas Lighter from Nisbits, which makes for the perfect budget lighter that will still see you through multiple barbecues.
Or if your budget can stretch to it, you can opt for the Looftlighter Hot Air Lighter from Lakeland at a premium of £74.99 which uses hot air instead of a flame to ignite your barbecues but will last you a lifetime without needing to be refilled.
How to refill a BBQ lighter
If you have a butane gas lighter there will come a time when you need to refill it, as with any gas lighter - but it is a lot easier than you may think.
Here is a quick step-by-step guide:
How does a BBQ lighter work?
How your particular barbeque lighter will work depends on the model you have purchased, and as we have found in our hunt for the best on the market, there are more options than you might think.
Your average lighter, and the more traditional pick, will work using butane gas and an adjustable flame - but these require refilling and will eventually run out.
But now you can also find more long-term solutions like rechargeable devices, such as models that use an electric current to ignite your barbeque fires or even hot air devices that reach up to 600C to get things cooking.
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