Butane lighters
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Butane lighters and why the gas pressure counts
A butane lighter runs on liquid butane gas that you top up yourself. Virtually all refillable lighters are butane lighters, so the question is not so much whether it runs on butane but which gas you fill it with.
That matters more than people think, and it is the most common reason a lighter stops working.
Why 45 PSI makes the difference
Butane is kept liquid in the tank under pressure. In a jet flame it has to come out with enough pressure to mix itself with air. Gas at a lower pressure or lower purity therefore gives a flame that sputters, and leaves residue that clogs the valve.
Jet flame or soft flame
Butane does both. A jet flame mixes the gas inside the burner, burns blue and does not blow out. A soft flame is yellow, calmer and nicer on thin candle wicks.
How big is the tank
The tank capacity decides how often you have to reach for the can. With four flames the gas goes roughly four times as fast as with one, so a bigger tank counts double there.
Working in the cold
At low temperatures the gas pressure drops and the flame gets smaller. You notice that outdoors in winter first. A full tank and pure gas help most against it.
Refill with butane gas at 45 PSI and wait a minute after filling. At lower pressure the flame starts to sputter and the valve clogs up.
Buying a butane lighter at PyroProducts
This category holds the lighters that run on butane gas, from pocket size to table model and with one to four flames. All refillable, because that is exactly what separates a butane lighter from a disposable.
If you are after the gas itself rather than the lighter, you will find it at lighter gas. If you want to see all refillable models together, have a look at the refillable lighters.
When comparing, look at the type of flame, the tank size and whether it has a lock. If a filled lighter refuses to work, that is almost always air in the tank or gas that is too cold: it is covered in lighter not working any more.
Always fill calmly and hold the lighter upside down while you do it, so the gas pushes the air out of the tank instead of the other way round.
Store the can of butane gas upright, dry and out of the sun, and never leave it in a warm car. Carrying it on a plane is prohibited almost everywhere, including in checked baggage.
Frequently asked questions
What is a butane lighter?
A lighter that runs on liquid butane gas in a refillable tank. Virtually all refillable models are butane lighters; the difference is in the type of flame and the size of the tank.
Which butane gas do I need?
Gas at 45 PSI. At lower pressure or with less pure gas the flame burns irregularly and the valve clogs up. That is the most common reason a filled lighter still refuses.
Why does my butane lighter not work after filling?
There is air in the tank and the gas is still cold. Wait a minute. If that does not help, let the remaining gas escape by pressing the valve briefly and refill.
Does butane work in frost too?
Less well. At low temperatures the gas pressure drops and the flame gets smaller. A full tank helps, and a lighter that has stayed warm in your inside pocket performs noticeably better outdoors.
How long does a tank of butane last?
That depends on the tank size and the number of flames. A model with four flames uses roughly four times as much per second as a single flame.
Is butane gas the same as lighter gas?
In practice yes. What is sold as lighter gas is purified butane, sometimes with a small share of propane. Look above all at the pressure and the purity, not at the name on the can.