Refilling a torch lighter is actually pretty straightforward.
However, if you’ve never done it before, we can understand how it might seem a little tricky.
Besides, there are a number of components to think about and a wide range of different lighters.
Having said that, despite there being several different types of lighter that use butane as a fuel source, refilling the lighter is usually quite similar.
It doesn’t matter if you have a torch lighter, a butane cigarette lighter, or an electric butane lighter, refilling a butane lighter is quick and easy to do.
In today’s post, we’re going to show you how to refill your torch lighter (You might also want to check out How To Fill A Butane Lighter). To do that, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you get it done safely.
Let’s dive straight in!
Refilling A Torch Lighter
To make things easier for you, we’ve split our set of instructions into 3 different parts.
These parts are purging the lighter, injecting the lighter, and testing the lighter.
If you follow each part closely, you’ll easily refill your torch lighter without encountering any issues. Each part is split into a step-by-step guide to make life even easier.
Let’s take a look at part 1, shall we?
Part 1 – Purging The Torch Lighter
The first thing you need to do when refilling a torch lighter is purge any remaining butane that sits at the bottom of the lighter.
Follow the steps below to do this correctly and safely:
1. Find A Well-Ventilated Workspace
To start with, you first need to find a well-ventilated space to work in. Your torch lighter will still be holding butane.
This butane is combustible and can easily irritate your skin and eyes.
Therefore, we recommend purging and refilling your lighter in an open space or a well-ventilated workspace.
If you’re working indoors, keep the windows open. If possible, turn a fan on for added ventilation.
2. Use A Sturdy, Flat Surface
You then need to find a flat, sturdy work surface to work from.
The remaining butane in the lighter can spray out onto the surface, so you might want to cover it with a cloth or some newspaper too.
The surface also needs to be clean. If you’re working outside, make sure the surface is dry.
3. Let The Lighter Cool Down
If you’ve recently used the lighter, you now need to let it cool down. You should never refill a lighter when it’s hot.
Butane is highly combustible so it has to cool before you can empty and refill the lighter.
We advise waiting 30 minutes before refilling if you’ve just used the lighter.
4. Turn The Lighters Flame Adjuster Knob Clockwise
Using a screwdriver, you now need to turn your lighter’s flame adjuster knob clockwise.
The flame adjuster needs to be set to its minimum setting. Using your screwdriver, turn the knob as far as it goes.
The adjusting screw will be larger than the brass screw.
Your lighter might even have a special key to turn or a wheel. Never force the screw.
5. Push The Refilling Valve
You can now purge the remaining butane from the lighter.
To do this, keep the lighter away from your face and push down on the valve using your screwdriver.
Keep the valve held down until you no longer hear a hissing sound.
Part 2 – Injecting The Butane
Now you’ve purged the butane, you can start to refill your lighter.
Follow the steps below to easily refill your torch lighter with butane:
1. Hold Your Lighter Upside Down
When refilling your lighter, you need to avoid injecting any air into it.
Therefore, you should start by holding the lighter upside down.
This is important because air will dilute your fuel and cause the lighter to malfunction.
This will also let you hold the butane upside down when refilling.
2. Shake Your Butane Gas Can
Before refilling your torch lighter with butane, you also need to give the butane can a good shake.
The can of butane contains a propellant as well as the butane.
Heavier butane will sit towards the bottom of the can, so it needs a good shake first. This will help prime the butane.
5 or 6 solid shakes should do it!
3. Press The Butane Cans Stem Into The Refill Valve
Next, you need to insert the stem of the butane can into the refill valve. Remember to hold the lighter upside down.
Make sure you don’t hold your lighter at an angle as that will break the stem. The stem should sit nicely over the lighter valve.
4. Refill Your Lighter In 3-Second Bursts
When the stem of the butane can is sat inside the valve, you can start to refill your lighter.
Pump the butane in a couple of 3-second bursts. This will spray the fuel into the lighter.
You will easily be able to tell when the lighter’s full because the fuel will seep out of the stem and won’t go in your lighter.
Your lighter could take 2 or 3 pumps to refill. Your lighter might even have a fuel gauge to show you the fuel level.
Try not to overfill your lighter. As soon as it feels full, stop!
Part 3 – Testing Your Lighter
Now your torch lighters have been refilled, you need to test it.
Follow the instructions below to test your lighter safely:
1. Turn Your Flame Adjuster Back
Once the lighter has been refilled, you can turn the lighter’s fuel adjuster back using your screwdriver.
The adjuster doesn’t have to be turned all the way, but just enough to test the lighter.
2. Leave Your Lighter For 5 Minutes
Next, let the butane in your lighter reach room temperature.
This will take approximately 5 minutes, allowing any excess butane on the lighter’s exterior to evaporate.
3. Light Your Lighter
You can now light your torch lighter. Holding the lighter at a safe distance from your face, activate the lighting mechanism to ignite the lighter.
The flame should burn well. Stop and start the lighter a few times to be sure it’s working correctly.
During this time, you can adjust the flame height to how you like it.
Once that’s done, your lighter is refilled and ready to go!
In Conclusion
As you can see from our step-by-step guide, refilling a torch lighter is quick and easy.
Once you’ve refilled your lighter a couple of times, it will become second nature.
All you have to do to refill a torch lighter is purge any remaining butane, inject the lighter with the new butane, and test the lighter.
Now you know how to refill your torch lighter, follow our instructions closely to easily and safely refill your lighter!
Hello, my name is Tim Roth and I have lived in Texas all of my life. I have seen it all - tornadoes, flash floods, and other natural disasters that have come our way.
I have kept a survival kit for all my family members in my basement since I was in my 20s. Every time a new member comes along, I make them a new kit. No one in my family will be caught out in a disaster - I make sure of it.
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