Lighting a cigar is equal parts art and science. For many smokers, it is the opening act in the smoking ritual and, in many ways, one of the most enjoyable. Zippo lighters are regarded by some as a poor way to light a cigar owing to the lighter fluid imparting a chemical taste to the tobacco. Other smokers claim that this is simply not true and wouldn’t use anything else to light their stogie. The individual should always feel free to make this determination for themselves.

Lighting a cigar with a Zippo has been a debate in the cigar aficionado community for a long time. These lighters have been around since World War 1 when they were offered to soldiers as a way of generating light without the position-betraying flare characteristic of a match. While matches may have been a liability in the trenches, many cigar smokers prefer them for lighting up in modern times, claiming that it is the best way to get a cigar burning without adding any unpleasant taste.

A butane lighter is oftentimes used by individuals who don’t want the hassle of matches but who want the convenience of a Zippo without the lighter fluid. Butane lighters combust very efficiently and the fuel does not at all affect the taste of the tobacco. There are several models of these lighters available and many are refillable. The very advanced models are almost as reliable in the wind as are their fluid-filled rivals.

There are new butane lighters on the market which rival Zippos where wind resistance is concerned, however, and these may be a less-objectionable option for those who find the taste of lighter fluid something which they cannot tolerate. These windproof butane torches are available from higher-end tobacconists and lighter shops.

Some smokers claim that they can’t taste a thing and, if one is using one of the high-quality fluids, this is likely true. If a Zippo happens to be something to which one is very attached, consider using a high-end lighter fluid to ensure the best smoking experience. It’s not only good for taste; it’s good for the lighter.

Ryder is the owner of an online specialty refillable butane lighter store and has expert knowledge of smoking accessories, including lotus lighters.

Smoking a cigar is generally an experience where individuals take great pains to make certain the flavor is all it should be. Cigars can be quite pricey and some of the more exotic types aren’t always available which means they can be an occasion in and of themselves.

Where butane lighters are concerned, the fuels are rated in terms of impurities. This works in much the same fashion as do the octane ratings on gasoline. Fewer impurities is the equivalent of higher octane and means a hotter, more reliable flame. It also means the flame will burn cleaner which may reduce the chance of fouling. Lighters which have two or three flames, such as some of the Colibri lighters, will be particularly sensitive to fuel quality. Butane lighters must only be filled with butane. Anything else risks ruining the lighter and poses a very real safety risk to the user.

The nozzle on a can of butane is designed to fit perfectly with the receiver on a refillable lighter. Anything that doesn’t quite fit is most certainly not the correct fuel and one should not attempt to make it work by force. This can ruin the lighter as much as can using the incorrect fuel.

Liquid-fueled lighters are amazingly durable devices which are fairly forgiving where the quality of the fuel is used. So long as actual lighter fluid is being used, they offer good performance. However, the cheaper brands of lighter fluid, like their butane counterparts, tend to have more impurities. In liquid-fueled lighters, these impurities will be noticeable in the form of a foul odor when the lighter is sparked and in a distinctive and unpleasant taste on the first few puffs of any tobacco lit with the lighter. For the best results, use a fluid that advertises lending no flavor to tobacco. This is a mark of purity.

Substituting any other fuel for butane or lighter fluid will most certainly destroy a lighter and may pose a safety risk to the user. Butane lighters, in particular, must only be fueled with butane and only from a can which fits exactly the filling adapter at the bottom of the lighter. These lighters are fairly sensitive devices but, treated properly, they can offer years of reliable service. Attempting to mate an improperly-fitting refill can will seriously damage the valve and certainly means that the refilling canister is not meant to be used with butane lighters.

Ryder is the owner of an online specialty lighters store and has expert knowledge of smoking accessories, including jet lighters.

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