I've had several lighters get clogged when using Ronson or cheap butane. Never a problem since I switched to Colibri for my Old Boys and Xikar high altitude for my Xikars.
Butane quality
- Thread starter JackOrion
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How much they gunk up a lighter from impurities would be a strong argument for there being a demonstrable difference in quality among butanes.
I have never had one of these adapters fit on any lighter from any manufacturer and often wonder what lighters they are for.
I have used a few different brands over the years, and have been using Vector KGM 14x butane for some time and I have never had issue with my lighters being clogged. My one beef is that the can has a metal valve which happens to be the best fit for EVERY lighter I have from any manufacturer (Xikar, Palio, Zippo and KGM Vector). The metal on metal connection isn't a 100% perfect seal and there is always a little leakage. Even the KGM Thunderbird insert (same manufacturer) isn't leak proof and as I mentioned, none of the adapters fit the lighter, so I must assume that the metal to metal connection is what the manufacturer is expecting. I reached out to Vector KGM support and never heard back.
Here's good info from an expert tbradsim1, post #4, triple refined is what you want:
Pressurized Butane Lighter Refill Tips :: Pipes Accessories
Just discovered a bit of information that may be found useful. Before refilling your lighter, press down on the refill point with a paper clip or ball point pen, and release all air from the chamber. Chill your lighter in the freezer for 30 minutes. The reasoning here is that the butane escapes...
pipesmagazine.com
Triple refined, OK, but how do you know it’s really so? Seems there’s a marketing jargon inflation race going with 3x 12x, 14x, 1,237x. Just like lumens, horsepower, foot pounds, octane, etc.
This. A lot of " clogging" comes from improper or incomplete bleeding leading to vapor lock. Never had an issue with Ronson or Zippo butane.
I switched to this several years ago. Lighter problems went away since then. Well worth the slightly premium price.
Yes. Even putting this stuff in cheap torch lighters makes them work way better.
I've done some research into this, and colibri 19X contains 6 ppm impurities. Purofine, once you do the math, contain either 15 or 16 (I don't recall exactly) ppm of impurities.
I've read that anything 5X or higher is fine to use in premium lighters. I use a 14X in my IM Corona lighters. No issues so far.
I just use zippo butane and never had a problem with my old boy and cheap torch lighters and the top is supposed to be a universal fit
I bought a bunch of Whip-It 5x a while back, & it's been fine for me through many different lighters. Sometimes I've gotten the Newport which is even a bit purer iirc, 7x maybe, but I can't remember. Mostly I would buy a can of Newport Premium if I needed to get one of the adapters in the lid, & not because I felt that I needed purer butane than the Whip It 5x. The Newport has less of an odor out of the can, but neither smell that much, but both of them will leave some white residue if you blast a bunch of it out across something. I think in general avoid 'made in china' butane, & no matter what after you get past around 12x there's a diminishing return & then crossing into bull...
Whip It reshaped their product line & had something newer out the last time I checked, Whip It North Sea Butane or something. Sounded pretty good, probably better than my 5x, but I forget if they said how many 'x's it had.
Whip It reshaped their product line & had something newer out the last time I checked, Whip It North Sea Butane or something. Sounded pretty good, probably better than my 5x, but I forget if they said how many 'x's it had.
Whip It claim zero impurities in their Premium North Sea Butane, but until they say "tested in the Tetons" on the tin, I'll take that with a grain of salt.
I've been using this exclusively since about 2008, with no issues. It's supposed to be "food grade" with zero impurities. The cap comes with adapters for whatever you're filling, though I've never had to use any other than the actual nozzle. I have a Kiribi and an OB, and actually prefer the Kiribi.
I use the Whip It North Sea butane. As long as the maintain their current quality level I'll never buy another brand.
I have been using Ronson in my Peterson Old Boy, and frankly am not happy with the performance. Inconsistent first light, the flame strength is flaky too, and even a minor breeze puts it out usually. Looking forward to trying Xikar, maybe that would may it a mote reliable lighter.
Bics seem to be more resilient to that level of breeze, maybe due to a form factor, not sure. Bottom line Peterson’s Old Boy often goes into pocket and Bic comes out instead. So, I am willing to test that assertion about purer liquid improving reliability in Old Boys.
Old Boys were relegated to display only for that very reason when I still had a few. A light breeze is their Kryptonite even with the "best" of fuels.
I am still hopeful
that I can avoid that situation, although the same thought has been brewing up in my mind for some time now - that the Old Boy will become the fancy display piece, after I buy a more reliable option (been thinking about Pipemaster). But, first I will test how the Old Boy does on the “higher grade” butane, before I pull the trigger on a new fancy and more reliable lighter. Have to admit, though, the flame of that hope is getting weaker with every testimony like yours. 