Mar 12 2010

What’s the Best Fuel for Refillable Lighters?

Category: Hobbies — Brian Mallikarjunan @ 4:24 pm

Refillable lighters can provide years of service but only so long as they are properly-maintained. Part of that maintenance involves selecting the right fuel for the lighter. Cheap fuels may save some money in the short run but the cost is decreased performance and, if the lighter is being used to light cigars or pipes, the chance that the lighter will end up flavoring the tobacco.

Where butane lighters are concerned, the fuels are rated in terms of impurities. This works in much the same fashion as do the octane ratings on gasoline. Fewer impurities is the equivalent of higher octane and means a hotter, more reliable flame. It also means the flame will burn cleaner which may reduce the chance of fouling. Lighters which have two or three flames, such as some of the Colibri lighters, will be particularly sensitive to fuel quality. Butane lighters must only be filled with butane. Anything else risks ruining the lighter and poses a very real safety risk to the user.

Butane lighters function best when a lighter fluid which is as free of impurities as possible is used. There are brands that advertise themselves as having zero impurities and, if one has purchased a high-performance lighter, these fuels will ensure reliability. Impurities cause lighters to light with less reliability, to foul and, eventually, they may compromise the components that deliver gas to the jet. They will also cut down on the life of the sparking devices as they’ll have to be tripped more to get a flame out of the device.

Butane torch lighters have rapidly become the most popular way to light cigars among aficionados. These lighters impart no taste at all as the gaseous fuel is consumed very efficiently by the lighter. There are different grades of fuel available but, where butane lighters advertise no impurities, it’s not so much a question of whether or not the fuel will be tasted as it is a question of reliability and taking care of the lighter itself. These lighters are available in exotic designs which feature double and triple flames, upscale styling and beautiful finishes. They have become favorites among dedicated cigar smokers.

Substituting any other fuel for butane or lighter fluid will most certainly destroy a lighter and may pose a safety risk to the user. Butane lighters, in particular, must only be fueled with butane and only from a can which fits exactly the filling adapter at the bottom of the lighter. These lighters are fairly sensitive devices but, treated properly, they can offer years of reliable service. Attempting to mate an improperly-fitting refill can will seriously damage the valve and certainly means that the refilling canister is not meant to be used with butane lighters.

Brian is a business consultant for an online lotus lighter store and has expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including cigar cutter lighters.

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Mar 11 2010

Lighter Maintenance

Category: Hobbies — Brian Mallikarjunan @ 5:32 pm

Good lighters can cost quite a bit of money and, like any high-quality product, they’re designed to pay for themselves by offering a long service life to their owner. In the past, refillable lighters were almost all liquid-fueled types. Today’s refillables are just as often filled with butane. Cigar and pipe smokers, in particular, tend to gravitate toward these models as they lend no fuel taste to their tobacco products.

If one’s lighter happens to have sensitive finishes, it is advisable to ask the vendor what types of cleaning solutions are best for the exterior. Cleaning the actual mechanical components of the lighter, however, is how one goes about ensuring a long service life.

A lighter, whether it be butane or liquid-fueled, is an enormously simple device. There is a fuel reservoir, an ignition mechanism and either a wick or a fuel jet. All of these elements have to be kept clean if the lighter is expected to function properly. The reservoir on a butane lighter requires no cleaning at all. It is a sealed environment designed to hold pressurized gas. A liquid-fueled lighter’s reservoir is usually simple cotton balls help in place by a piece of felt. When these become dirty, they can simply be taken out and replaced.

On any lighter, the flint or electric lighting mechanism should never be forced. If there is resistance, check to see if an obstruction is present before adding pressure. Most often, a piece of dust or lint will have become lodged in the wheel. It can be removed from a flint style lighter by simply removing the flints and spinning the wheel to clear the obstruction.

On a butane-fueled lighter, there is a receptacle which is designed to accept a butane canister. This area must be kept clean. Generally, anything that may be obstructing this area can simply be brushed away. If anything should happen to become lodged in the jet area of the lighter, invert the lighter and tap it, gently, on a hard surface. This should dislodge any debris. If it doesn’t, one can use a thin piece of metal to gently lift away the obstruction. Anything that is stubbornly-lodged in the workings of such a lighter should be removed by a professional to avoid damage.

Brian is a business consultant of an online specialty lighters store and has expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including Colibri lighters.

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Mar 06 2010

Zippo Lighters and Cigars

Category: 1 — Brian Mallikarjunan @ 9:03 pm

Lighting a cigar is equal parts art and science. For many smokers, it is the opening act in the smoking ritual and, in many ways, one of the most enjoyable. Zippo lighters are regarded by some as a poor way to light a cigar owing to the lighter fluid imparting a chemical taste to the tobacco. Other smokers claim that this is simply not true and wouldn’t use anything else to light their stogie. The individual should always feel free to make this determination for themselves.

A Zippo lighter has, for a long time, been known to outdoor enthusiasts as one of the most reliable tools to bring into the wilds. Zippo has advertised for many years the reliability of their lighters and, born out of the trenches of World War 1, they have certainly proven themselves in that regard! Some smokers claim, however, that they lend the taste of lighter fluid to a cigar and ruin the smoke. Most often, this stems from using cheap lighter fluid and can be remedied by upgrading to any one of the many flavor-free lighter fluids available on the market.

Butane lighters are another popular choice. When these lighters came out, they were almost universally cheap and disposable. Today, there are lighters that use butane for fuel that are of as high a quality as any fluid-filled lighter. Many of them are windproof, offering some stiff competition to fluid-filled lighters in that regard, as well. While this may be a concern when out in the elements, however, most cigar smoking is done in much less-extreme conditions and most choices in lighting devices are made according to taste more than they are according to concerns regarding their ability to function in trying conditions.

Fluid-filled lighters are still very popular and, because many are given away to mark special occasions, many individuals have a nostalgic attachment to them. There are several brands of lighter fluid available which are formulated to eliminate the chemical taste. Even if a lighter fluid does give this taste, it is usually only for the first few puffs and it dissipates quickly.

Some smokers claim that they can’t taste a thing and, if one is using one of the high-quality fluids, this is likely true. If a Zippo happens to be something to which one is very attached, consider using a high-end lighter fluid to ensure the best smoking experience. It’s not only good for taste; it’s good for the lighter.

Brian is a business consultant for an online Zippo butane lighter store and has expert knowledge of jet lighters.

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Oct 01 2009

Does Your Lighter Hiss, But Not Light?

Category: Family — Dave Sabot @ 1:47 am
by Dave Sabot

Lighters are a requirement for smokers; unless you choose to use matches, of course. However, lighters are far more convenient than matches and also more economical. That said, butane lighters and even jet lighters can have problems with operation. One of the most common problems associated with any type of lighter is a failure to ignite, accompanied by a hissing sound.

When the igniter of the lighter is pressed down, no flame appears. The lighter does, however, emit a hissing sound, as of fuel escaping. What could be going on? Whats wrong with your lighter? Actually, this situation can be remedied quite easily, though youll need to troubleshoot your lighter a bit first.

First, check the top of the lighter to ensure that there is no debris blocking the fuel emission area. Be careful not to depress the igniter switch when doing this. Usually, a simple visual inspection is all that is required to ensure that nothing is blocking the fuel from escaping or the lighter from lighting. Once you have ensured that there is nothing obstructing the lighter from operating, youll need to move on to the next step.

Quite often, the cause of your lighters failure to ignite is not the flint, debris or a lack of fuel. Often, the problem is that you simply have the flame set too high. What is actually happening is that the force of the escaping fuel is too great for the spark to catch; effectively snuffing out your lighter before it even ignites. To determine if this is the case with your lighter, check the flame adjuster; it will be located on the back of butane models and on the bottom of jet models.

To adjust the flame height, youll need a very small flathead screwdriver. Turn the flame adjuster towards the minus symbol. Be careful not to turn it too far, though. Make a small adjustment toward the minimum end of the range and then attempt to light the lighter once more. If you still hear the hissing sound, but the lighter does not ignite, then you need to continue adjusting the flame height. You should do this in increments, in order to ensure that you are able to achieve the highest flame height for your needs, while still being able to light the lighter.

About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online cigar lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including zippo lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring lighter repair.

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Sep 28 2009

Packing Pipe Tobacco Properly

Category: Family — Dave Sabot @ 8:35 pm
by Dave Sabot

Many people get into pipe smoking because they like the aroma that the pipe tobacco provides and they like the taste. It is a great way to relax. Some people can spend days picking out just the right pipe, the right tobacco, and the right wind resistant lighter for lighting their pipe. However, when some people first start out, they become frustrated that they can’t keep their pipe lit and that they can’t get a good draw on their pipe. They wonder if they are doing something wrong and some of them even stop smoking. The problem is often the way that they pack the pipe, and with a little knowledge, they can remedy this problem.

It is vital that you keep your pipe clean. If you have a brand new pipe that you have never smoked before, you don’t have to worry about cleaning it just yet. However, if you have a pipe that you have used before, even if it was without much success, you are going to want to clean it. Dump out the debris that is in the bowl of the pipe and then run a pipe cleaner through the step to remove and of the possible buildup.

When you have a clean pipe, you are ready to pack it. Take pipe tobacco from the pouch or the can and check to see if it has any stems or clumps. Remove these so that you only have the strands of tobacco left. Pack these into the bowl so the bowl is filled about three quarters of the way to the top. Next, tamp the tobacco down so that it is only half-full.

If you find that you are having trouble keeping it lit, you can empty the pipe and start the process over. When you are first starting out with your pipe, you may have to do this several times before you become adept at it. Practice will make perfect in this case.

Now you can fill the bowl the rest of the way to the top and tamp it down again so there is just a little over the top of the pipe. Now you can light it and take a draw from the step. This should light the tobacco and you should have no problem keeping the pipe lit. This can take some practice to get just right, but after a few tries you should be smoking your pipe like a pro.

About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including torch lighter, Dave also owns an online humidors store.

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Sep 25 2009

Taking the Band Off of a Cigar Before Smoking

Category: Family — Dave Sabot @ 4:27 am
by Dave Sabot

One of the most relaxing and satisfying feelings is when you finally find a few moments in the day that are all your own, when you can unwind with a nice cigar. However, cigar smoking is not as easy as just grabbing a stogie and lighting it up. You will find that there are certain traditions and even rules of etiquette that you will want to follow when smoking. Everything from choosing the type of cigar to choosing the right pipe lighters, and even whether or not to remove the band, are very important decisions that you will need to make.

Consider the band on the cigar. Is it right to leave the band on? Well, this depends on a couple of things. If you are simply having a quiet evening at home alone and you want to light up, there is no problem with leaving the band on the cigar. Keep in mind though that if you keep the band on when you are smoking among friends who are cigar aficionados or at a public place, leaving on the band could be thought of as a breach of etiquette. Why would something as simple as a band on a cigar matter?

Why would leaving the band on your cigar be rude? Well, the band contains as much information about the cigar as you would likely ever need to know. Those who are knowledgeable about cigars will be able to tell not only the brand of cigar, but also the approximate amount of money that you spent on it.

When you have an expensive cigar and leave the band on, it can look as though you are bragging about your wealth in some people’s eyes. You can avoid the envious glares of others around you by simple removing the band and enjoying your cigar.

Since most people don’t like to brag and consider it unbecoming, you can simply remove the band. The best way to remove the band easily is by lighting the cigar and smoking it for a moment. As the heat course through the cigar, it will loosen the label and make it easy to remove. You can discretely remove the label and discard it without inadvertently offending anyone. Etiquette is very important in the world of cigar smokers, and if you want to do things right you should take the time to learn the various traditions.

About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online butane lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including torch lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring cigar lighter repair.

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