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FORUM SPONSORS => MAK Grills => Topic started by: TentHunteR on March 28, 2016, 06:17:09 PM

Title: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: TentHunteR on March 28, 2016, 06:17:09 PM
A quick disclaimer: I do NOT work for MAK Grills, I am just a happy customer who gets to do some testing for them once in a while.

Just when you thought that your MAK grill couldn't get any better, MAK has gone and done it again!

A few months back I got a phone call from Matt, at MAK Grills asking if I'd be willing to install and test a new ignitor system they had developed. This came at a good time since my current ignitor was starting to bulge and most likely getting ready to fail.

Matt said it was something totally new that no-one else had. I agreed, and ever since using it for the first time, I've been chomping at the bit to post about it. But since it was in the testing phase I had to keep it on the down low.

Matt finally gave me the OK, so I am proud to introduce the new FlashFireTM Ignitor from MAK Grills.


The FlashFire Ignitor is a ceramic rod that sits in a housing tube behind the firepot. It reaches 2,000° in about 10 seconds and allows extremely hot air to be blown into the firepot to ignite the pellets.  No longer is there a metal ignitor rod sitting inside the firepot.


After my son and I installed it (which took less than a half hour), we started up the grill to test it.

All I can say is WOW was I pleasantly surprised! I should've known there was a reason they named it the "FlashFire Ignitor!"  Within 2 1/2 minutes the pellets were lit and the grill was up and running!


Here are the parts I received: The ceramic FlashFire ignitor, the housing tube, a new firepot (to fit the housing) and a replacement Fuse and drill bit (for drilling out the rivets for the original ignitor holder). It also came with very clear  instructions.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n4bRjyH0aeI/VvmeZg2NQwI/AAAAAAAAH6c/StV1lkFVAYsDvPipJGIZd2MmVsNa8GINACCo/s739-Ic42/FLASHFR1.JPG)


Here it is installed in our MAK 1 Star. The firepot, which has a matching slot for the ignitor housing, slides into place even easier than before.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gHtPEKrgQK8/VvmeZjU48mI/AAAAAAAAH6c/Exoc_LFLegkqbvhMtZ-6tfWXtzPXPGjcQCCo/s640-Ic42/FLASHFR2.JPG)



Here is a video, we shot, showing just how fast the ignitor works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFZZ5_WFEzQ



All I can say is I am continually impressed with MAK's ability to always be on the front edge of Pellet Grill technology, and this is no exception!

I believe this will be the new ignitor in all MAK Grills, and as should be available as a retro-fit for any current MAK owners. I will let Matt or SmokinKat share any more details, specs, etc.


Cliff
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: SmokinKat on March 28, 2016, 06:40:24 PM
Hey Cliff!!!   YES!  We are so excited about the FlashFire™-- it's SO FAST!!   So glad we can finally spill the beans, it's been hard to keep quiet about it!  :)    Thanks for the video-- you did a much better job than I did trying to film it-- I got a face full of smoke for my close-up efforts. :) 

They are available as retrofit kits now on our website, and the 2016 models will come standard with them.  (The 2016 model grills haven't been released yet, but we'll keep everyone updated with more information and timelines over the next few weeks.)

There's some more information on the website as well, but basically instead of having the igniter sitting inside the firepot, this one sets outside of the pot, and heats up to 2000°F in like 10 seconds.   Then superheated air is blown into the firepot, and ignites the pellets really quickly.  Since they're made from ceramic, they're also not prone to failing in the way that traditional steel igniters are. 

The best thing is that they're rated for 90,000 on/off cycles, which means they should last practically forever!!  They're $200, and take about 20 minutes to install.  The kit comes with the drill bit and everything you need to switch things out, including a beefier 4 amp fuse that goes in the back of the Pellet Boss. 

Definitely a big step up, and we've got even more exciting innovative stuff we'll be releasing later this year.  I could not have asked for a better company to work for and be so proud of. 
Title: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: Pappymn on March 28, 2016, 06:51:21 PM
Very cool
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: smoker pete on March 28, 2016, 07:47:13 PM
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Emoticons/ThumsUp_zpsae1937a3.jpg)
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: smokeasaurus on March 28, 2016, 08:40:26 PM
hot problems are a thing of the past..............if you own a MAK 8) :)
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: tomcrete1 on March 28, 2016, 09:07:49 PM
That's Cool!  :D
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: smokeasaurus on March 28, 2016, 10:24:11 PM
hot rod problems are a thing of the past..............if you own a MAK 8) :)
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: Scallywag on March 29, 2016, 10:01:59 AM
I want that!!!
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: TMB on March 29, 2016, 10:10:40 AM
Now that's a great idea ;)     Should keep the hot rod from burning out before it's time
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: muebe on March 29, 2016, 10:54:56 AM
Very cool! Or actually very hot! :P
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: ACW3 on March 29, 2016, 12:55:21 PM
That just got added to my birthday wish list.  What a great idea!!

Art
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: TentHunteR on March 29, 2016, 01:13:30 PM
Now that's a great idea ;)     Should keep the hot rod from burning out before it's time

With a rating of 90,000  on/off cycles, this should easily last the lifetime of a grill.

Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: Jaxon on March 29, 2016, 01:59:09 PM
I kept watching the pellets fall in and thought, "where's the smoke and fire?"  Then it kicked in and suddenly there was fire.

Wow!
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: jimsbarbecue on March 30, 2016, 12:36:17 AM
Just ordered two for our MAK grills. Love how MAK keeps improving their products. Can hardly wait for the Mini MAK. Hope it fits in the Motorhome bins..
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: KyNola on March 30, 2016, 10:08:33 AM
I too have one of the ignitor systems on the way.  I am very excited about this latest innovation from MAK.  Once I get it installed and try it out I'll report back but I know it will work as advertised because "MAK don't make no junk!".
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: jimsbarbecue on April 02, 2016, 02:57:51 PM
Here is how I install in Serial # 186. With the hopper out I made a template with masking tape. Notice the tape hangs over the edge. You can see in the later photos the rows are connected at the ends with tape going in the opposite direction. This will keep it all together when you peel it off. When drilling the hole in the base start with the bolts in the holes of the tape template then slowly lower using the bolts as guide to get it in place. After drilling the holes with the bit supplied knock the burrs of with a larger bit as shown. Once assembled if the bolt holes are off a little just run the drill bit MAK supplied to line everything up.

(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-k82K2rL/0/X3/DSC04039-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-ws5Q9SD/0/X3/DSC04041-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-gpdWCGt/0/X3/DSC04040-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-Mrmc4Hk/0/X3/DSC04042-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-MxPgPvZ/0/X3/DSC04043-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-77gNdRb/0/X3/DSC04044-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-DXfXV5C/0/X3/DSC04045-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-FGP9FWs/0/X3/DSC04047-X3.jpg)
(https://jimbloomfield.smugmug.com/L46/Fab-Projects/i-rtGQspt/0/X3/DSC04046-X3.jpg)





Edit Note: Re-scaled pics to fit page.


Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: KyNola on April 06, 2016, 01:54:21 PM
Installed the new ignition system today.  Took me a little longer than these younger fellows but that's ok.  This new system flat rips!  Much quicker pellet ignition.  MAK does it again!
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: TMB on April 06, 2016, 02:58:26 PM
Installed the new ignition system today.  Took me a little longer than these younger fellows but that's ok.  This new system flat rips!  Much quicker pellet ignition.  MAK does it again!
Was there any barley beverages involved?  ;) ;) :D :D :D :D :D


Just kid'n  ;)   Looking forward to seeing you and Jan in Sept! ;)
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: KyNola on April 07, 2016, 11:09:59 PM
0900 is too early in the morning even for me TMB!  ;D
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: abcbarbecue on March 09, 2017, 01:44:46 PM
Wow Cliff that IS quick!  Nice video.
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: wengayle on March 29, 2018, 04:58:25 PM
I had the new Flashfire put in my MAK 2 Star (1805) and love it. With the old ignitor,  I had a couple times where I did not get a fire to start.  Now with the Flashfire I have had no problems...QUICK is an understatement.  Worth every penny.


LOVE my MAC
Title: Re: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills
Post by: smokeasaurus on March 29, 2018, 09:41:29 PM
I barely get three sips on a cold brewskie and I start smelling smoke!!