REFILLING A LIGHTER

One of the most common questions I receive relates to the proper way to refill a lighter. If done incorrectly, you can cause some serious problems. Not quite as bad as global warming, but bad enough to render your lighter useless.

Refueling your refillable, butane lighter is quite easy. Refill cans are available just about anywhere, from your local tobacco shop to Wal-Mart. Ronson and Colibri brands are among the best and most popular. Using a cheap brand of fuel can damage the inlet valve and (even more common) clog the burner valve.

The most common mistake made in refilling a butane cigar lighter is not keeping the can and the lighter upside down. If you do not refill with the can in the upside down position, you will just inject air into the lighter, and it won't work properly until it is bled and refilled.

To refill:

First, read the warning labels and instructions on the can. Aim it away from your face, and stay away from any open flame or ignition source. (Seems like common sense, but you'd be surprised...)

Then:

Turn the adjustment screw to the (-) position. On some lighters, it's located in the same hole as the inlet valve, wrapped around the inlet valve, and requires a small standard screw driver. Other cigar lighters have a separate, easier-to-locate, adjustment screw. And some have a knob over the adjustment screw that can be turned with your fingers.

Hold the lighter and the refill can upside down. There will be a small hole at the bottom of your lighter. Inside the hole you'll see the inlet valve. Press the tip of the refill can over the inlet valve, and press down firmly for 4 to 5 seconds. Repeat once.

Adjust the flame to desired height.

That's it.