Sounds to me as if the problem is flooding, and not the starting method. Using the delayed start drivers will push the excess fuel out of the cylinder with out having an ignition event. However, as the engine is turning it is drawing more fuel into the cylinder. A better method would be to pull the prop through by hand several revolutions before applying any sort of glow or starter. Once the engine feels clear, you can start as normal.
Back to the flooding..this has to be stopped to prevent engine damage. This is why full scale pilots pull their engine through on their walk-arounds to clear out the cylinders(oil in their case). A pair of hemostats on the feed line would prevent any fuel from entering the engine while at rest, regardless of the conditions. Pull the engine through, remove clamp, apply heat, start...Everything else is a band-aid masking the flooding problem. No flooding= no damage.