i always have lighter issues...

[Tj4orange]

to start i only have cheap lighters but i swear after a couple of uses my lighters take a crap. i have quite a few ronsons and a couple other double and triple torch lighters. i go to use them and nothing. consistently a problem!? seems like i have good luck if i drain them and then refill them for a little while. seems like i have to hold then in my hand to warm them up sometimes? am i the only one here with this. this is why i am hesitant to spend a bunch of money on something due to the fact that it might just be user error.

 

[mdwest]

Ive got more lighters than I know what to do with.. ranging from $3 ronsons to $100+ stuff from xikar, colibri, bugatti, etc...

the only higher cost torches that I have owned that are consistently poor performers have been colibri... I finally swore them off about 3x years ago.. and will never buy another one.. everything else has worked as well (or better than expected).. to include the cheapo ronsons (the ronsons to be honest, while unattractive, are in my experience some of the best performing torches Ive ever owned)..

Most cheap, no name lighters Ive gotten as freebies or in samplers, etc.. havent lasted very long.. I might get 6 months out of them.. and they die.. thats probably as much due to my abuse (I dont take very good care of torches/lighters.. I throw them in drawers, tackle boxes, glove boxes, etc.. leave them outside for days at a time, etc..).. as it is their poor quality manufacture.. and probably has something to do with the fuel I put in them as well.. I've been pretty bad about just using "whatever" (zippo or ronson butane mostly) in my "cheap" lighters.... Ive found that ronsons dont have a problem with cheap fuel.. but most of the other stuff I have owned will gum up pretty quick unless you feed them triple refined (or better) fuel.... the fuel you are using MIGHT be the source of your problem..

generally when you pay a whole lot for a lighter youre not paying for more reliability.. youre paying for "pretty" or "cool" or "ergo dynamic".. etc.. some makes/models are better than others.. but for the most part, if you buy something of reasonable quality.. treat it well.. and feed it decent gas.. it should last you for years (Ive got a xikar thats probably 7 or 8 years old that is still going as strong as the day I bought it.. and several ronsons that are at least 10x years old.. that still function perfectly.. etc..)..

 

[Craig Mac]

I don't want to get in to $2 lighter verses $200 lighter, there are enough threads about that on BOTL already.

There are several factors that can contribute to a lighter not working properly. First and foremost is the type of fuel (there are threads about that as well), you must use something that is triple refined or better if you want a lighter to last and not run in to issues with jets clogging. Always purge any air out of a lighter before filling it every time, fill it with good quality fuel, let it sit for a few minutes before using and you should be fine.

Here is a link to Xikar's lighter instruction manual https://www.xikar.com/files/lighter_instructions.pdf


Here also is a link to all the other previous lighter threads that may be of some use http://www.botl.org/community/forums/search.php?searchid=2260217

 

[Splatt]

I was having consistent problems with my torches for the longest time. Then someone on here recommended that I warm my lighter before using as I was mostly smoking outside on cool nights. Ever since I started holding/squeezing my lighter in my hand and warming it up before use I have had zero issues with either of the lighters I regularly use.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Dammit!!! There's grades of lighter fluid....hmphh

 

[StogieNinja]

seems like i have to hold then in my hand to warm them up sometimes?

If it's too cold, it will prevent the lighter from working. In the colder months, I keep my lighter under my thigh to keep it warm if I need it.

It could also just be you're not getting them filled enough, or not turning up the dial enough.

First, as the pressure lessens from use, you'll need to adjust the flame every so often, turning it up as you drain the tank.

Second, to make sure you're filling the tank up nice and full, throw the lighter in the refrigerator for ten minutes before filling. It will create a vacuum and help get more gas inside the tank when you fill it.

 

[mdwest]

Second, to make sure you're filling the tank up nice and full, throw the lighter in the refrigerator for ten minutes before filling. It will create a vacuum and help get more gas inside the tank when you fill it.

you know.. Ive been told that before.. but totally forgot about that tidbit of info until now... Ill have to give that a try the next time I need to fill one up... thanks SN!

 

[herfdog]

Second, to make sure you're filling the tank up nice and full, throw the lighter in the refrigerator for ten minutes before filling. It will create a vacuum and help get more gas inside the tank when you fill it.

That is such a good idea and it makes so much sense... should have tought of it before .... thanks for the suggestion!!

 

[LikeAPuma]

Then someone on here recommended that I warm my lighter before using as I was mostly smoking outside on cool nights.

And here I was, thinking it was just my sheer incompetence that was leading to poor torch performance! Thank you! I thought I was imagining things!

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

Then someone on here recommended that I warm my lighter before using as I was mostly smoking outside on cool nights.

And here I was, thinking it was just my sheer incompetence that was leading to poor torch performance! Thank you! I thought I was imagining things!

No, it had a lot to do with your sheer incompetence....

 

[LikeAPuma]

No, it had a lot to do with your sheer incompetence....

Lol as is usually the case!