Cigar lighters: how do you refill and maintain them?

A good cigar lighter (or torch) is essential to enjoying your stogies. On this page, I'll discuss different kinds of lighters, how they work, and how you can pick one out that works well for you.

Which kinds of cigar lighters are available?

Cigar lighters are better known as torches because they don't work the same as your average barbecue lighter or even like a normal cigarette lighter. They are instead filled with butane and make a high-powered, wind-proof flame when activated. This makes it much easier to light your cigar than with any other kind of flame. Most cigar aficionados will tell you to get a good torch to enhance your smoking enjoyment.

As with everything else in the cigar smoking hobby, lighters come in many shapes, sizes, designs, and price ranges. The simplest torches have one flame, but you can also find two-, three- and even four-flame torches. One-flame torches are usually the cheapest and use the least amount of butane, but it is more time-consuming to light your stogie with just one flame. Multi-flame torches use up more butane and therefore need to either have a larger butane reservoir or need to be refilled more often, and are also more expensive.

In addition, there are also so-called tabletop lighters, which are usually bigger and heavier. As the name suggests, tabletop torches are not meant to be carried around in your pocket.

Which cigar lighter should you choose?

If you're a beginner, you might get a humidor combo deal that includes a torch, usually of the one-flame variety. These will usually work just fine if you treat them right (read more below about that). I was ready for a multi-flame torch when a friend of mine got one and I could see its advantages firsthand.

A two- or three-flame torch will light your cigar just fine without depleting your butane reserves too quickly, and a four-flame torch should be used with care as it can light your stogie really fast. Still, experiment around (if you can) or just get a torch you like - you'll always be able to light your cigars. If you're curious which one I have: it's this one.

How do you light your cigar using a torch lighter?

Click here for information on how to light and smoke a cigar.

How should you refill your torch?

There's a small procedure for refilling your torch lighter to extend its lifespan.

• When it's time to refill it, you should first make sure it's completely empty. You can do this by applying pressure to the ring around the refill valve (I use a small screwdriver) until you no longer hear a hissing sound. You might have to press down a couple of times to achieve this. Only when your lighter is properly emptied should you refill it.
  
  
• When you do, it's also important you buy good butane. Any good smoke shop should have very refined butane that is meant for use in your torch - so don't just use the butane you can get at Home Depot.
  
  
• To refill the lighter, it's best to first shut off the fuel valve with a small screwdriver. Look for the small + and - sign and turn the screw towards the minus sign.
  
  
• Then, press the butane can down on the fuel valve and wait a few seconds. You may not hear much, but your lighter is being refilled. Note that this may take a few seconds, so be patient!
  
  
• Since butane fuel is cold when injected, it's a good practice to wrap your hand around your lighter for 10-20 seconds to warm it to room temperature before you use the torch.
  
  
• Finally, reopen the fuel valve by turning the screw back towards the plus sign. You can do this in smaller increments until you reach the desired flame height.
  
  

If you do these things, your lighter will thank you by continuing to work perfectly.

What should you do if your torch stops working?

First try checking if the butane chamber is empty. If so, try bleeding and then refilling it (obviously) by using the steps described above. Additionally, check if the jets are clogged. You can blow into the jets to get out any debris that might prevent them from functioning properly.

If it's still not working, it might be time for a new cigar lighter.