An electric charcoal starter is an electric
heating element
A heating element converts electrical energy into heat through the process of Joule heating. Electric current through the element encounters resistance, resulting in heating of the element. Unlike the Peltier effect, this process is indepen ...
designed for igniting
charcoal without kindling. It may be simply a heater loop that is inserted into a pile of charcoal, or may include a pot for holding the charcoal. Electric starters are "virtually fool-proof", but do require a source of electricity.
[A. Cort Sinnes, ''The Grilling Encyclopedia'', 1992, p. 30]
See also
*
Chimney starter, another charcoal lighting system
*
Charcoal lighter fluid
Charcoal lighter fluid is a flammable fluid used to accelerate the ignition of charcoal in a barbecue grill. It can either be petroleum based (e.g., mineral spirits) or alcohol based (usually methanol or ethanol). It can be used both with lump ch ...
Notes
Tools
Charcoal
Barbecue
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