Looft Ait Lighter 2
Seems to start a good fire in 2 mins.
I’m just practicing a low and slow temp but I’ve probably done it wrong. I shut the dome within a minute of lighting it and closed the bottom to one finger and the top to about a 1/4” from the first mark.
I’m a bit confused as some people say light a small fire, would you class mine as a small fire? Also some mention don’t put food on until you have clean smoke. If only the center of your charcoal is lit and your fire is constantly starting new coals next to them do those new coal not start giving off bad smoke as they light?
I haven’t loaded my Joe up with enough coal for a low and slow but I’m only seeing if I can keep the temp around 250-275 for an hour or so as I’m going to ramp it up for some chicken thighs. Just thought it would be good to try low and slow temp before getting the meet.
Thanks for any help and tips, you’re all very helpful.
by Any_Plenty_6542
16 Comments
Blow torch is way more fun.
Love my looft, it really is a good tool
Yes it is too much for low and slow. As cool as this is, a tumbleweed firestarter or similar will make your life easier as it lights things gradually and therefore it is easier to begin closing the vents on time. This lighter is great for grilling and pizza.
>If only the center of your charcoal is lit and your fire is constantly starting new coals next to them do those new coal not start giving off bad smoke as they light?
I’m not sure how it works either, but my guess is that the charcoal clears out the ‘bad smoke’ once it heats up. Once the joe get up to temp, and the ceramic is heat soaked, all the charcoal inside heats up even if they are not lit.
For low and slow I close the lid quicker. I love my Looft.
I have no experience with air/gas lighters. Personally I just use two firestarters. Maybe I should invest as it can also be a pain in the ass to light the firestarters when they are at the bottom of the charcoal pile…
Anyways, based on your video I would have probably stopped lighting at the 1:30 mark, let it settle with the dome open for a minute or two. Then close the dome after. It is easier to control stable low temps when you start with a smaller fire.
Choking down a bigger starter fire is definitely also possible but might give more bad smoke at the start, but will also clear after 10 minutes or so.
The initial “puff pop” and the noise of propane torch is enough for me to not consider this over those.
Takes way too long looked at them at HD reviews didn’t sell me
Fire starters for the win. Twisted paper towel soaked in vegetable oil for the right pinch win
Hey OP are you located in Aus? Just wondering if yours is 220V or 120V. The one listed in their aus website still lists it as 120V.
I have one and love it. Chemical free
Damn that’s got to cause a lot of coal dust and ash kick-up. I’d consider a dusk mask while using this thing.
So… I have a battery leaf blower — I light a small fire, close the lid, and blow air through bottom vent. Works perfect every time. Fire is blazing in no time at all.
Easy there! No need to go all scorched earth on your charcoal.. unless you’re making pizza 😀
So… you are using it wrong. U lifted it too late.
Once you see sparks pull it back and it will be far quicker.
@ OP You can close the dome after lighting your cube/thumbleweed, but open the top vent completely and the bottom vent at least half. After 10-15 minutes it should be 200+°C. Then add the deflector stones (which makes the temp drop again) and systematically close the vents until the top is at the first mark and bottom is one finger width.
For low&slow, let it stabilize a while so you’re sure the temp doesn’t get up after you’ve put your meat on. This can happen when the thermometer displays the temp you want, but your dome and deflector stones aren’t heat soaked yet. Once they are heat soaked, temp will rise again.