LIghter trouble
- Thread starter phornbein
- Start date
I use a zippo with a pipe insert so I can't help you there. I gave up on the reliability of refillable butane lighters years ago.
Drain it, clean it and refill. If that doesn't work for you repeats carefully following the manufacturer's instructions. If that doesn't work, send it to the maker for repair. Or, simply buy a Bic. Bics are wonderful lighters, cheap too. Zippos also work well for most. And, they have a lifetime guarantee. Beauty and function are often incompatible.
I agree. Butane is expensive and unreliable. My Zippo has never let me down with zero maintenance
Zippo and Bic. Bic is a back up in case Zippo runs out of fuel. And Zippo does run out of fuel at most inopportune moment.
Bic will not light in any wind, and I have had to flick it until my finger blistered some times. I can see the fluid in the plastic, shake like hell, get a small flame that goes out before I can get it to my pipe, and back to flicking with a finger because my thumb is sore. Fill your Zippo weekly, and no worries. Just saying….
Face the wind and cup the front of the bowl with your hand. I do prefer a Beattie to a Bic or Zippo though.
Zippo pipe lighter is the way to go. On nights with no wind I'll use kitchen matches. Haven't had any trouble with my zippo and the wind.
@Doctor Chopper Dad says when I went to see the Sealed Knot at Bolsover Castle (on a very windy day) I spent all day trying to light my clay pipe...
I have several expensive refillable butane lighters that I don’t use anymore Zippos and Bic EZ reach are reliable and a lot less fussy.
That why I fill my Zippo before it runs out. Just a little extra when I go out.
Best thing I've done to improve butane lighter performance is to switch to the high performance butane fuel. I use Xikar's. For the OP, bleed completely to get rid of any air. Blow off flame nozzle with compressed air. Light with another lighter and let burn for 30 seconds or more. Do this a couple of times.
If none of that works, toss it in the trash can.
If none of that works, toss it in the trash can.
All you guys who have quit butane please ship your discarded them to me!!
That's the reason I shield the lighter and pipe/cigarette from the wind. Even my Zippo requires sheilding to keep control of the flame. Even a moderate wind causes the flame to dance a bit. Just takes a bit of forethought and practice. I'm out in all weather. I've used my vest/coat as a shield. Learned to "hunch" my shoulders. Duck behind a tree, dune or, worst case, trudge back to the vehicle. It all depends on how desperate I am for nicotine. But, Bics seem to be my go to lighter very often, wind or not.
After cursing the other refillable lighters, I finally got a zippo and glad I did.
My experience with butane is mostly pleasurable.
Bold above my emphasis of patent nonsense. Please stop making categorical statements.
@jpmcwjr I found a refillable Clipper lighter (made in Spain) while litter picking; used it to light my clay pipes but it's empty now so I'm going to get it refilled.
