What to do With a Cigar Lighter That Hisses but Will Not Light
Articles - Lifestyle
While refillable butane lighters are designed to provide a long service life, every mechanical device is subject to failure for various reasons. Oftentimes, in the case of butane torches, the problems stem from incorrect handling, attempts to fix the lighter on the part of the user or to simple wear and tear. Sometimes, problems with these devices will manifest as a hissing noise; the sound of butane escaping from the reservoir of the torch. There are ways to remedy this.
by DaveSabot


While refillable butane lighters are designed to provide a long service life, every mechanical device is subject to failure for various reasons. Oftentimes, in the case of butane torches, the problems stem from incorrect handling, attempts to fix the lighter on the part of the user or to simple wear and tear. Sometimes, problems with these devices will manifest as a hissing noise; the sound of butane escaping from the reservoir of the torch. There are ways to remedy this.

First and foremost, any torch which is actively leaking butane should be emptied of all the fuel. Butane vapor is obviously flammable and, if allowed to form a cloud around a device that is subsequently sparked, it may ignite in a small flash fire. The best way to address this issue is to simply take the torch to a qualified service technician and to have it properly fixed. One may get an idea of what's wrong beforehand.

In some cases, the valve may become stuck to the point that it requires someone with the proper tools and experience to fix. As many of these lighters have warrantees, it's best to allow an approved tech to perform any repairs. In the vast majority of cases, attempting to fix such an issue one's self will void the warranty and make it impossible for one to get a replacement if it turns out there was a manufacturer issue with the device.

If the torch has a slow hiss and can still be lit-again, one should not attempt this-the leak may be simply the result of a leak on the refill valve or another part of the device but the leak may not have become a catastrophic issue as of yet. Any leak of pressurized gas, however, will likely be a problem that will get worse with time. A leaking torch is not a safe device and should not be used until it is properly fixed by a qualified individual.

If the hissing occurs after the lighter has been dropped, the case may be cracked. This can result in a very fast discharge of gas, oftentimes producing more of a "puffing" noise as all of the gas is discharged as once rather than as a hiss as is characteristic of a slow leak. This may or may not be a fixable problem and replacement may be the only option.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty cigar lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including lotus lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring information on how to lighter repair.