Posts Tagged ‘butane lighters’

Even very high-end lighters will need to be bled out now and again. The substance being bled is air which becomes trapped in the lighter and which prevents it from functioning correctly. To correct this, one usually simply depresses the fuel release valve far enough to allow gas to be discharged but not so far that the ignition mechanism is tripped. One can verify the flow of gas by holding the lighter close enough to their ear to hear gas escape.

Most often, a lighter that is failing to provide a sustained flame has air trapped in the reservoir, fuel supply line or both. On some lighters, one will be able to see these components. Most high-end cigar lighters, however, have opaque cases which makes this impossible. To determine if this is the problem, one can simply hold down the fuel release and listen for the hissing sound of gas escaping. It there is no hiss audible, there is likely a fuel problem.

Bleeding the lighter is the best solution to this. One takes advantage of the fact that the lighter begins to release fuel before it ignites to perform this task. Simply hold down the ignition button far enough to allow butane to flow but do not depress it fully. The lighter should begin emitting the characteristic hiss of escaping butane in very short order and a consistent flow of fuel will be restored. This can be done even when the lighter is working correctly to ensure that the problem doesn’t manifest.

One can avoid this situation altogether by properly filling their lighter. Most often, air is introduced into the reservoir when the lighter is attached to a butane can with an uneven seal. This results in air being forced into the reservoir. Because the butane is a liquid and the air is a gas, the air floats to the top of the reservoir and fills the fuel line. The most common, and most ineffective, response to this seen is when individuals shake their lighter after becoming frustrated with turning the wheel or pressing the button over and over again.

Butane lighters are generally very reliable and having air become trapped in the fuel line or reservoir is fairly rare. If it happens persistently, one may wish to have their lighter serviced by a qualified technician. Never attempt to adjust any of the valves, aside from the flame height knob, without professional assistance. This will generally void the warranty and make the situation much worse than it was to begin with, the last thing one wants with an expensive lighter!

Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty cigar lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including windproof lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring tips on how to lighter repair.