LOOFTLIGHTER: Pro Electric Charcoal Starter – 760°C with HyperBoost

The Looftlighter Pro is the hottest electric fire starter from Sweden's Looft Industries — 760°C superheated air plus HyperBoost lights charcoal, wood and logs in about 60 seconds, and it's built for kamados, offsets, pizza ovens and fireplaces.

The strongest Looftlighter yet

The Pro takes the original Looftlighter idea and turns it up. A brushless motor and HyperBoost push 30% more air, and the element heats that air to 760°C, so charcoal catches in about a minute and a big firebox comes up to speed fast. Looft Industries was founded in Sweden in 2004 by Richard Looft, who set out to build one after a chicken at his daughter's birthday barbecue came off tasting of lighter fluid. His first prototype was charcoal in a bread toaster with an old vacuum cleaner blowing air through it — sparks in seconds. Today the Looftlighter is sold in more than 30 countries.

What the Pro adds

• HyperBoost: An extra air mode with 30% more airflow to stoke the fire once it's caught.
• Auto ignition program: A built-in lighting cycle for a more hands-off start.
• Safety switch: An extra safeguard the Classic doesn't have.
• Replaceable heat shield: An aluminium shield that can be swapped out if it ever wears.
• Brushless motor: The powerplant behind the extra airflow.

How to use it

Push the tip into your pile of charcoal, chunks or logs and hold it in the same spot for about 60 seconds. When sparks or a glow appear, pull back a few centimetres and keep the air on it until the glow spreads. Your fuel is now lit and ready to build.

In the box

Looftlighter Pro electric fire starter with an integrated stand and bottle opener. Keep it dry with the Looftlighter Carry Case.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Darryl runs an offset, a kamado and a pizza oven, and the Pro lights all three before the first beer's gone warm. HyperBoost is the party trick — it'll bring a sulky fire back to life mid-cook. Light the pit, add a few handfuls of Western Hickory Smoking Chips, and pull on a set of Hardcore Carnivore High Heat Gloves before touching anything hot.

Questions answered

How hot does the Looftlighter Pro get?

It produces superheated air up to 760°C (1400°F), compared with 650°C for the Classic.

What is HyperBoost?

An extra air mode that lifts airflow by about 30%, so you can stoke the fire hard once it's lit or revive tired coals mid-cook.

Is it worth upgrading from the Classic?

If you light big fireboxes, offsets, pizza ovens or fireplaces often, yes — it's hotter, moves more air, adds a safety switch and has a replaceable heat shield. For a weekend kettle or kamado, the Looftlighter Classic does the job.

Can I use it in a kamado?

Yes. Lighter fluid isn't recommended in ceramic kamados, and the Looftlighter Pro uses nothing but superheated air.

Does it need a power point?

Yes, it plugs into mains power with a 3 m cord. Use an outdoor-rated extension lead if needed.