Why is My Lighter Malfunctioning?
A high-quality cigar lighter is one of those little luxuries that make life a lot more fun. The elegant finishes, environmentally-friendly nature of a reusable device and the reliable service make them as practical as they are indulgent. They will have trouble, however, from time to time. A lighter is such an inherently simple device that it’s generally very easy to figure out what is causing the difficulty.
Most lighter problems will be traceable to a few specific areas. There may be debris in the fuel jet, there may be an air bubble in the fuel line or there may be something physically obstructing the igniter mechanism. All of these difficulties are easily remedied.
If the wheel on a flint-style lighter doesn’t turn, first check for any obstructions. One may gently roll the wheel backwards to dislodge most items. If this doesn’t work, remove the flints and see if anything falls out. The spring device that holds in the flint, unfortunately, oftentimes has the same gold color as do high-end lighter flints. Make certain that one is striking the wheel against a flint and not simply grinding it on the retainer spring. This sounds obvious, but is frequently the cause of problems.
Butane lighters sometimes get air in the reservoir. This is very easy to fix. One simply depresses the fuel release button without tripping the igniter. It usually only takes a second to restore proper flow to the jet. There is sometimes a difference in sound when butane is being ejected from the jets, so holding it close enough to one’s ear while doing this can make the process a bit easier. One can add fuel to replace any which may be depleted during this process.
If the igniter is physically obstructed, the remedy will depend on whether it is a flint or electric mechanism which is at issue. With a flint mechanism, never force the wheel. One may turn it backwards a bit and forwards again to try to dislodge any debris. Also ensure that one actually is turning it against a flint and not against the spring that holds the flints in place. This happens more than one may think. On an electronic lighter, make certain that there is spark. If there is not and no obstruction can be seen, the lighter should be brought to a service person. These devices are delicate and require a qualified technician to replace them properly and safely.
Brian is a business consultant for an online windproof butane lighter store and has expert knowledge of cigar humidors.