Flame Genie 

No kidding? I’ll have to try that. Usually a cheaper route if it works.

Okay now you gotta make a video for that......share with me if you ever do!

A recent viewer said they make a 19" version now.

@@briancayko Yes I have the 19 inch version stainless steel. Love it

I have also started using a fire gel and have found it works really great.

FYI , hand sanitizer is a great fire starter gel !

Sotero67 more flame genie videos to come soon!

@@briancayko awesome

I've used real wood in mine quite a bit. without pellets, it is basically just a small burn barrel. I don't usually do that but when I do I will typically start with pellets and get a good burn going then add a few pieces of wood but keep adding pellets too. As many have commented on here, it really is a matter of adding enough pellets but not too many to keep it going at a good rolling flame rate. If you put too many in or let it burn down too much then it will smoke like a regular pellet stove on initial startup and clear out your whole yard from the smoke. I have found that having a few pieces of wood burning in it helps to eliminate some of the issues that come with not mending it constantly.

I have found that you need to add a scoop of pellets about every 10 minutes to keep it going at full flame, but you are right that if you do not keep it going it will smoke heavily and is difficult to restart at that point. I have learned how to manage it pretty quickly and prefer it to a normal log fire for small backyard functions. Check out the flame genie hack video.........using the larger pellet composite "logs". put these on once it is burning well and it will burn for a long time with no added pellets.

@@briancayko Do you have more info on this?

Adam Proud I think it was advertised as 14”. I wasn’t aware they made a 19”

I like the smaller size for portability but giant pellet logs would certainly fit better in a larger bin as well & allow for a larger burn for more people to enjoy.

@@briancayko ok thanks! yeah i think the 19 inch is a new addition.

@@briancayko yes they do

Hi Roger, my experience is that if you dont keep if going strong it will smoke like a bugger for sure and yeah it will stink then too. I was able to avoid this by adding pellets frequently instead of waiting for it to burn down prior to adding pellets. It is a bit of a pain to add pellets frequently and thats how i stumbled onto trying the "fire logs" or pressed logs, essentially giant pellets. see the flame genie hack video i did. thanks for the view and the comments, I have no stock in this item and i am not a pro reviewer. I bought the device and enjoy it but did have to work my way through some of the issues discussed. Have a great night and hopefully you will get some better use out of the genie.

Hi Asa, thanks for your comments. The instructions I had at the time and found online now with a quick search suggest using some kind of fire starting gel, block or the like (paraphrased). It seems like your comment about how would I know since I didn't try a match seems a little critical. I agree that I did not try using a match, in several years of experience working with pellets in different setups the idea that a pellet would light with one match is obvious to me nor do the directions instruct that so I wouldn't even try it. I think the video demonstrates nicely how long the genie takes to get burning under usual conditions with suggested materials. I would love to hear your suggestions on a better way to light the genie as it may benefit my use. Since making this video I have started to use a gel rather than the blocks to start the genie and found it lights a little quicker and is fumeless compared to lighter fluid. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, I appreciate your feedback. A little more detail in where I didn't follow the directions would be helpful. thank you.

Bryan, my apologies for the terse reply, but the reference was to your use of a crumbled fire starter log immediately after listing the recommended starting methods, followed by what might be construed as criticism that ignition wasn't instantaneous. I wasn't intending to be critical of you personally, but of a trend among RU-vid reviewers to unceremoniously jerk a product out of its box, ignore instructions, then deem the product a failure because of operator error. Your thoughtful reply forces me to consider my initial comment somewhat unwarranted. My first-generation Flame Genie is still going strong after over three years of use. Instructions may have changed since the first-gen, but mine has always started well with any of the then recommended methods: charcoal starter, fire starter gel, fire starter blocks, or my favorite, good old fashioned heart pine kindling, sometimes called "fat wood." All of these methods have proven to consistently be true "one match" starts, absent more than a gentle breeze. Obligatory disclaimer: I am not now being, nor have I ever been, compensated in any way by manufacturers, distributors, or marketers of the Flame Genie, I am just a satisfied customer who reads directions.

@@asahoura2798 Thanks for the great discussion and feedback. I too enjoy the product and have learned since my first use of the genie. Thanks again for watching and adding to the value of information that RU-vid provides. Take care. now just waiting for spring to use it again! :-)

Lamp oil