High-end butane lighters are of a quality that enables them to provide service for many years. This is dependent, however, upon keeping the lighter in good working order. Fortunately, butane lighters are enormously simple devices and much of their reliability owes to this fact.
Butane fuel is available in different grades. Generally speaking, the higher the grade, the more expensive the fuel. While this may seem like something of a luxury purchase as butane burns very clean compared to liquid-fuel no matter what the grade, it does make a definite difference where performance is concerned, particularly in the very high-end lighters.
The mechanics, where the user is concerned, are easy to understand. The lighter has a receiver which is used to refill the reservoir with butane. This receiver will only accept a standard can of butane. No other fuel should be used in these lighters and any adapter that doesn't readily fit should not be made to do so by force. Doing so can destroy the lighter.
The mechanical elements consist of the jet where the butane is released and the lighting element. The lighting element may be electric or a flint, depending on the model. This area must be kept clean to ensure that the fuel flows without obstruction and to ensure that the flint wheel or electric element can provide spark to ignite the jet of fuel. Most obstructions can be removed by inverting the lighter and tapping it gently on a hard surface. Anything particularly stubborn can be removed with tweezers, a toothpick or a thin piece of metal gently inserted into the area. Of course, be sure to keep these elements away from moisture to ensure the best performance.
The number one concern, however, is the fuel. Butane is used to fuel many different devices so make certain that any butane refill used is specifically for lighters. The wrong adapter may cause damage to the refill valve and result in a broken lighter. The butane can should fit effortlessly into the valve. If it needs to be forced, it is the wrong kind and one should never try to make it fit by pressing harder against the valve. Given proper fuel and cleanliness, these lighters are as durable and reliable as their fluid-filled brethren and a fine choice for outdoor life.
