You’ve just poured a drink, settled into your favorite chair, and cut the cap off a premium cigar. You reach for your lighter, give it a click… and nothing. Just a spark and a hiss, but no flame.
You click again. And again. Frustration sets in. Did your expensive torch lighter just die?
Before you toss it in the trash and reach for a cheap gas station bic, wait. Your lighter likely isn’t broken. It just has “indigestion.”
90% of lighter issues are caused by trapped air, also known as “vapor lock.” Here is why it happens and the 2-minute trick to fix it permanently.
The Science: What is “Vapor Lock”?
Cigar lighters run on compressed butane gas. But every time you refuel your lighter, a small amount of regular air enters the tank.
Over time, or after several refills, that air accumulates. Since air is lighter than liquid butane, it sits at the top of the tank near the valve. When you try to light up, the air blocks the butane from reaching the burner.
Since regular air doesn’t burn, you get a spark, but no fire. To fix this, you need to “bleed” (or purge) the lighter.
The Fix: How to Bleed Your Lighter in 4 Steps
Grab a small screwdriver (or a dedicated lighter bleeding tool) and follow these steps.
⚠️ Safety First: Perform this away from open flames and in a well-ventilated area.
Step 1: Turn the Flame Down
Locate the flame adjustment wheel (usually on the bottom) and turn it to the lowest setting (–). This prevents a sudden burst of flame when you test it later.
Step 2: Empty the Tank (The Purge)
Flip the lighter upside down. Press the tip of your screwdriver directly onto the refill valve. You will hear a hissing sound. That is the trapped air and remaining gas escaping.
- Keep pressing until you no longer hear the hissing sound.
- Shake the lighter and press the valve again to ensure every last bit of air is gone. The tank should be completely empty.
Step 3: Refill with High-Quality Butane
Keep the lighter upside down. Take your can of butane, shake it well, and press the nozzle firmly onto the valve. Fill in short bursts (2-3 seconds) until you see the fuel window is full.
Step 4: The “Warm Up”
Liquid butane is freezing cold when it leaves the can. Your lighter will be cold to the touch immediately after refilling. Wait 1-2 minutes. Let the fuel return to room temperature. If you try to light it while it’s freezing, it won’t work well.
Reset your flame height to your desired level (+), and give it a click. Success.
Still Won’t Light? Check These 2 Things
If you’ve bled the tank and it still won’t light, check these common culprits:
1. Dirty Burners Cigar ash and pocket lint can clog the jets.
- The Fix: Use a can of compressed air (like you use for computer keyboards) to blast the jets clean. You can also use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean the burner area.
2. Bad Fuel (The Invisible Killer) Not all butane is created equal. Cheap butane contains impurities and oils that clog the delicate internal jets of a torch lighter.
- The Fix: Always use triple-refined (or higher) butane. If you’ve been using cheap stuff, bleed the tank completely and refill with premium fuel.
When to Upgrade
If you have bled the air, cleaned the jets, used premium fuel, and it still won’t hold a flame, it might be time to retire your old faithful.
Mechanical parts, specifically the piezo ignition wire, do wear out eventually.
If you are ready for a lighter that offers reliability, wind resistance, and style, it might be time to treat yourself to an upgrade.
[Link: Shop Our Collection of High-Performance Cigar Lighters]