BBQ Dragon Users, you have my attention.

[Lowjiber]

I realize that there are scattered pics and anecdotal comments such as "It's great" throughout The Pit... enough to get me thinking at least (not always easy, that). I've done modest research including the BBQD website and like what I see.

I'm not opposed to buying a battery-driven hair dryer, but am curious about a couple of things...

Just how much air does it really move? I've used a leaf blower at times to kick charcoal a bit by blowing it across the Kettle's exhaust vent to increase the draw. However, that requires attention on my part to prevent ash movement inside the kettle that lands on the food.

I know folks like David Parrish "use it all the time", but "For What?" comes to mind. I'd like to see/hear everyone's opinions and techniques.

I see on the website, https://bbqdragon.com/product/bbq-dragon/, that another $30 buys a set of rechargeable batteries and a charger. Is that worth the effort? I'm more interested in hearing how long it will operate between charges and/or battery replacement(s).

Yadda, yadda, yadda...

Thanks for helping. BTW: Pics are nice too.

[scottranda]

My Dragon is invaluable because it speeds things up so much. I use it for searing and low and slow. The low and slow comment is more to just get the charcoal going a bit. I don't leave it blowing completely unattended.

It used to take me 45 min to get to searing temps. Now, it's 10 min.

I use disposible batteries. Works just fine for me.

You can also use a bellow or a balloon pump, but the Dragon is much easier.

[EdF]

I used to use the bellows, until I wore them out. Got the Dragon for Chrismas, but haven't gone out and tried it yet. @Ilowjiber - the speed of the air is adjustable.

[David Parrish]

Get it. You'll love it. I have a covered deck and use the fan to keep the smoke from wafting up under the covering. I use it to speed up the lighting process. I use it to switch from low and slow to super hot sear in record time. It's very useful.

[scottranda]

I also use it as a baby stroller fan in the summer.

[Spinaker]

Hahahaha! Please tell me this is true!!

[scottranda]

Spinaker definitely already true!

[Spinaker]

Haha, you are the man! scottranda

[Huskee]

I bought a couple sets of Eneloop high capacity rechargeables for mine from Amazon, them babies last a good while. The recharge kit might be handy too if the price is worth it to you. I use mine occasionally when running my offset, and they last hours, let's say maybe 3 or 4 on high, 7 or 8 on low...roughly. I wouldn't in my right mind use regular disposable batteries though, unless you're just using it for a minute or 3 at a time to boost lighting a charcoal chimney or a pile in your kettle. When I need to beef up the already-lit coals in my kettle it takes a minute or less. It has a powerful (relative to it size of course) focused air stream. It can have a loud whine though if you're out there in a chair beside it any length of time. It's very useful for charcoal or wood.

[Gooner-que]

I use Eneloop rechargeable batteries in mine and they are great. I've also found that it is perfect for quickly cooling my fresh roasted coffee beans, a quick minute on high gets them to ambient temp, and blows any chaff away as well.

[rat88]

I checked it out on amazon and the product description said it was micro usb rechargeable. Is this an upgraded unit or does it not come with rechargeable batteries? I have a dozen micro phone chargers and dont see the need to spend and extra $30 for the charging kit.

[Gooner-que]

I believe it came with rechargeable batteries. I found that charging in the device was slow and using a dedicated battery charger (which I already had) worked much better. There is a micro usb port on the BBQ Dragon so no need to purchase the charging kit if you already have plenty of cords.

[rat88]

the reviews really trashed it due to the battery door being cheesy and the hooks busting off. Are you saying that you remove the batteries to charge, and if so, have you had any problems with the door?

[Gooner-que]

Yes I remove them to charge--mainly because I use rechargeable batteries for a lot of things--the door has not been an issue up to this point.

[DWCowles]

Going have to buy another BBQ Dragon since my last one grew wings and flew away.

[Spinaker]

I do like mine. It works well and it gets the fire going. The clamp is secure and works well. There is nothing better for getting your searing fire going than the dragon.

My complaints. The blower head is not that great of quality. It has lasted a year but its mostly plastic covered in metal. I would like to see a bit higher quality for the price.
The little door that opens to let you put the batteries in, broke on mine. I dropped it on my garage floor and it broke. I know....I know "well don't drop the damn thing." I understand that. But one drop shouldn't break a key component like that. I jerry-rigged something to get it to work.

All in all this is a pretty good product. Its handy, it works pretty well for what its designed for. Just don't drop it.

[JoeSousa]

I sometimes use mine to speed up the charcoal lighting but more than that I use it to get the chimney super hot to sear right on the chimney. Works great for that. It is also good to blow ash off the coals if you want to cook straight on the coals.

[fuzzydaddy]

Welcome! We'd love to get an intro from you over in the Introduce Yourself channel when you get a minute. https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...troductions-aa Thanks!

[Flavorsavor]

I agree with the battery door comment. I didn't even drop mine but eventually, the hooks just broke off. To the point though, I still use it every time I cook. It lights helps to light a small amount of charcoal quickly so you have a nice hot seed to start your low and slow, and it gets a large amount of charcoal blazing in no time for searing temperature. I also got their chimney of insanity, and while it's fun sometimes it's much less of a mainstay item. I use disposable batteries and find myself changing them out every couple of months with use about once a week during the winter months.
With all that being said, remember that getting hotter faster also ='s shorter charcoal life.

[Lowjiber]

Thank you all. I really appreciate everyone's comments.

Here's what I've learned of far...

• It does work, two-speeds, and can crank out a considerable amount of air on the high setting.
• It is not built very well, with respect to the overall casing and the horrendous battery compartment door.
• The "stock" batteries appear to last a reasonable amount of time, but a set of Eneloop high capacity rechargeables is a good investment.
• The extra-cost charger isn't really necessary if one has a mini-USB cable lying around (I do), as there is a female plug on the unit.
• It is noisy, but not so much that short uses would be annoying.
• The Chimney of Insanity is really more of a novelty, as I suspected.
• The clamp is strong and handy to use anywhere.

Given that information, the Chimney (which really wasn't in the running anyway) is out, as is the battery charging "kit". The basic Dragon is currently available for Amazon Prime members for $30 with free two-day shipping. I'll order the Dragon by itself; run it through its paces; and may buy the Eneloop batteries down-the-road.

Thanks again. You folks are great!

[Huskee]

It's variable speed, not just two. You click the knob on @ low, and turn it 'infinitely' until it reaches the end of the knob's turn @ high, or anywhere in between.

[Huskee]

I checked it out on amazon and the product description said it was micro usb rechargeable. Is this an upgraded unit or does it not come with rechargeable batteries? I have a dozen micro phone chargers and dont see the need to spend and extra $30 for the charging kit.

Mine came with no batteries. The battery door is a weak point for sure, they send you a spare though in the box (at least they did when I ordered mine). I broke one and am down to one, and they've ignored my emails about getting more. If the battery door breaks it won't work at all. They could tighten up that design for sure. If you have rechargeable batteries in it, and a micro-USB charger, then yes you can charge right in the device. It takes forever that way, especially if you have higher capacity batteries, but it works w/o removing the door and risking it breaking the tabs. I've been chancing it and removing them to charge in a wall charger.

[EdF]

Huskee when did you get yours. I got one around Christmas time, came with batteries and no spare door.

[Huskee]

EdF Hmm, that's a shame, the spare door is mandatory in my opinion, break one and you're done. I got mine back when they cost $60, July 2014.

[W.A.]

Dittos.......buy it

[Lowjiber]

Update, February 16, 2016...

The BBQ Dragon arrived yesterday.

It seems "okay" with the exception of the battery door. As a retired engineer, I wonder who designed that... Woody Woodpecker? It has "Failure" written all over it.

I almost broke one tab off opening it to install batteries. There was a very small piece of plastic flashing from the manufacturing process that was partially blocking the hole and preventing the tab from sliding out.

After carefully skirting the issue, I looked inside the battery compartment to find even more flashing where the batteries reside... so much that a AA battery would not easily slide into position. A little work with a fine, round file fixed that. However, that is unacceptable at the price they're asking on their website. (I paid $30 on Amazon with free shipping.)

Since the tab didn't really break, due to my diligence, I didn't want to write up a negative "review" on their website. I did, however, send them an email regarding the issue. I doubt they'll respond, but if so I'll post their response here. I also mentioned that BBQ-types are generally pretty red-neck and won't tolerate faulty products for very long.

[Mr. Bones]

I think that, as of today, at least one half of "they" are a member, here in th Pit, so's ya' might hear sooner, rather than later.
Thanks fer yer review!
I haven't played with mine (yet)
Appreciate yer input, warning(s), an' especially solution(s)
Many Thanks!!!