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Best Way to Clear, Clean & Reset Cigar Lighters?

I’ve got half a dozen previously stellar cigar lighters - single, double & triple torches. One even worked to/from three duty tours.

But now, none of them work. I’ve refilled them, but can’t get them working again.

Any suggestions?

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  • Member Avatar

    21 YeshKai

    (4 years ago)

    I change clean and remove grime dirt and oils and they work but main thing is the adjustment they all will work

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    1 Blockhead

    (5 years ago)

    Totally separate problem but I had a ton of lighters that become plugged (and of course I threw them away... D'oh!). I discovered that Carburator cleaner works wonders on the jets. After you give them a good spray down (in the jets), let them dry/warm back up and they work great.

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    3 dgreen320@hotmail.com

    (5 years ago)

    Great information guys. I have one that isn’t working. Is. I may try a few of these methods and see if it will be successful

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    4 jeffk

    (5 years ago)

    I have a reputation among my cigar buddies as the lighter guy. I try to explain my process but they usually give up and just hand me their lighters to "fix". It requires some patience and small adjustments. Here are some thoughts/tips that might help.

    First make sure the spark is working, this doesn't break often but nothing will work without it.

    Next make sure the tank is full. It is hard to tell on some lighters without a clear tank. I use the cold fill method to make sure. Put the lighter in the freezer for a few minutes and it will fill right up. Do this for one of your lighters with a clear tank to prove it to yourself. It should fill right up in seconds.

    There is also a definite relation between temperature and the flame setting needed. If the lighter gets hotter or colder you might have to adjust the setting. Because of this, let the lighter warm up before messing with the flame setting after using the cold fill method.

    You might also have to adjust the setting when the tank gets emptier and the gas pressure goes down between fillings. If the setting is too high the spark can't ignite and "blows out", if too low it can't sustain the burn.

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      3 Deputy Mayor of CW

      (5 years ago)

      Thanks JeffK! The freezer fill method is new to me.

      How do you check the striker?

      What do you do to clean the jets?

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      4 jeffk

      (5 years ago)

      I meant just make sure you see a spark when you try to light it.

      I have never had to clean the jets, so not sure.

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      4 Chatliebob

      (5 years ago)

      Interestingly, I usually follow those same steps but just never put it in words. Excellent description. Two things I always require in a cigar lighter...fuel window and flame adjustment that doesn't require a tool! The freezer method is new to me also. I'll give it a shot.

      Y'all do know to don't shake the butane can before filling? So says Xikar.

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      100 Goomba

      (4 years ago)

      You are a magician!!! I tried it on some old lighters and it worked. Thanks.

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    3 Smok'em

    (5 years ago)

    Try:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61AS__g5__A

    Best of luck

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      3 Deputy Mayor of CW

      (5 years ago)

      Thanks Smok’em!

      I found this Xikar YT video, too:

      https://youtu.be/dgp9l6bWhaY

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    7 Cigar_Steve

    (5 years ago)

    I’ve had the same problem. I was able to get them to work by letting the gas settle/warm up and then adjust the flame setting- usually turning it down.

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      3 Deputy Mayor of CW

      (5 years ago)

      Thanks! I’ll do that, too.