Reviewed by Valery Grin · · updated June 4, 2026
Activa Power-Lighter — Electric Hot-Air Charcoal Lighter
Charcoal lit in a minute with a 600-degree air blast, no chemicals, no off-flavours.
From€40
Reference price on Amazon (June 2026) · subject to change
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The budget alternative to the Looftlighter: a heating element that blasts scorching air onto charcoal. It lights a kamado clean in under a minute, then doubles as a blower to fan the embers.
Activa is a German barbecue catalogue brand, and this lighter honestly copies the Swedish Looftlighter idea for a good deal less money. The principle is identical: no fluids, no firelighter cubes, just an element that throws air at around 600 degrees. You rest the nozzle on the charcoal for twenty seconds, see the first ember, then pull back a hand's width so the fan spreads the fire. In a kamado, where any chemical residue soaks into the ceramic for days, that matters. It is not as solid as the original: the cord is shorter, the plastic body feels lighter, and the nozzle demands respect because it glows red. But it works, it lights clean, and it costs what it costs. For someone firing up two or three times a week, it is a sensible buy without paying for the cult brand.
Specifications
- Type: Electric hot-air
- Power: Approx. 1,800-2,000 W
- Lighting time: Ember in under 1 minute
- Blower function: Yes, to fan embers
- Power supply: 230 V mains, corded
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Goes well with
FAQ
Does it leave a chemical taste like firelighter cubes?
No. It uses only hot air, so there is no paraffin, alcohol or residue to soak into the kamado ceramic. That is exactly why this kind of lighter is so popular with live-fire cooks: it lights without tainting the flavour.
Does it light briquettes as well as lump charcoal?
Yes, with both. With briquettes, which catch slower than lump charcoal, you hold the nozzle on a bit longer, around thirty to forty seconds, before pulling back to blow.
What safety precautions should I take?
The nozzle glows red-hot and takes several minutes to cool: always rest it on a non-combustible surface, never on wood or plastic. It is for outdoor use and needs a corded socket, so beware of thin extension leads.
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