Jul 29th, 2009 Posted in hobbies | no comment »
by Dave Sabot
A high-quality cigar lighter is one of those little luxuries that make life a lot more fun. The elegant finishes, environmentally-friendly nature of a reusable device and the reliable service make them as practical as they are indulgent. They will have trouble, however, from time to time. A lighter is such an inherently simple device that it’s generally very easy to figure out what is causing the difficulty.
Most lighter problems will be traceable to a few specific areas. There may be debris in the fuel jet, there may be an air bubble in the fuel line or there may be something physically obstructing the igniter mechanism. All of these difficulties are easily remedied.
If the wheel on a flint-style lighter doesn’t turn, first check for any obstructions. One may gently roll the wheel backwards to dislodge most items. If this doesn’t work, remove the flints and see if anything falls out. The spring device that holds in the flint, unfortunately, oftentimes has the same gold color as do high-end lighter flints. Make certain that one is striking the wheel against a flint and not simply grinding it on the retainer spring. This sounds obvious, but is frequently the cause of problems.
Butane lighters sometimes get air in the reservoir. This is very easy to fix. One simply depresses the fuel release button without tripping the igniter. It usually only takes a second to restore proper flow to the jet. There is sometimes a difference in sound when butane is being ejected from the jets, so holding it close enough to one’s ear while doing this can make the process a bit easier. One can add fuel to replace any which may be depleted during this process.
If the igniter is physically obstructed, the remedy will depend on whether it is a flint or electric mechanism which is at issue. With a flint mechanism, never force the wheel. One may turn it backwards a bit and forwards again to try to dislodge any debris. Also ensure that one actually is turning it against a flint and not against the spring that holds the flints in place. This happens more than one may think. On an electronic lighter, make certain that there is spark. If there is not and no obstruction can be seen, the lighter should be brought to a service person. These devices are delicate and require a qualified technician to replace them properly and safely.
Tags: butane lighters, cigar lighters, cigar smoking, cigars, educational, gifts, hobbies, how-to, lifestyle, lighters
Jul 25th, 2009 Posted in hobbies | no comment »
by Dave Sabot
Refillable lighters are a great investment and can provide many years, even generations, of service. They need to be safeguarded when not in use, however. Not only must the lighter itself be kept safe but those who may share the home with the smoker, namely children, need to be kept safe from the potential dangers posed by these devices.
Many of the lighters on the market today are butane devices that emit two or three jets of blue flame. One can imagine how utterly fascinating this would be to a curious child. While any lighter is interesting to young ones, these are particularly entertaining, and dangerous, devices. It’s best to keep these lighters in locked drawers when not in use. The flames are hot enough to give severe burns and, of course, they’re also expensive and having one lost or destroyed by a curious child can be something more than a small setback.
Fluid-filled lighters pose their own dangers. These lighters are incredibly simple, having only a flint wheel and a wick. As anyone who has ever dropped such a lighter while it was lit knows, they usually keep burning once they hit the floor. The danger here is obvious. The chemicals used in these lighters are very toxic and need to be kept away from young ones. Of course, getting lighter fluid on any surface not only presents a fire hazard but is also likely to destroy any finishes on that surface! Keep lighters high up, locked up and safely out of the reach of unauthorized individuals.
Keeping the lighter in a locked box is not a bad idea, but make certain that any accessories such as cigar cutters are closed when doing so. One does not want to reach for their lighter and find that the razor-sharp cutting implement is wide open. It can leave a nasty wound! The blade will also tend to dull if not properly-protected.
Lighters and other devices that pose a potential danger must always be stored with care. Make certain that the fuel used for any lighter is stored away from heat or flame, particularly the butane gas canisters used to refill jet-style lighters. These canisters are very safe but will have a range of temperatures for safe storage printed on the instructions. Make certain that any storage area is always within this range to avoid potential bursting.
Tags: butane lighters, cigar lighters, cigar smoking, cigars, educational, hobbies, how-to, leisure, lifestyle, lighters, relaxation
Jul 13th, 2009 Posted in lifestyle | no comment »
by Dave Sabot
Cigars, much to their credit, can burn a long while. The idea of having a long, relaxing smoke is one of their principal selling points and, where truly high-end cigars are concerned, smokers are often willing to pay quite a premium for that experience! There will come a time, however, when one won’t be able to finish their entire cigar without interruption and many smokers wonder if it’s okay to relight a cigar or if the whole thing is ruined if put out before it’s finished. The good news is that a cigar can be relit, though with some change of flavor.
After extinguishing the cigar, many smokers blow through it to get rid of any smoke that may remain in the wrapper. This can lessen the buildup of tar. That buildup is principally what will change the taste of the cigar on the second lighting and it’s unavoidable that this will happen to some degree. Simply drawing smoke through the cigar causes this.
The tobacco in the center of the cigar will likely have a different appearance than that around the edges. In most cases, it will be a bit darker. This is nothing to worry about and the cigar will smoke fine. The lighting process for relighting a cigar is identical to the first light, involving turning the cigar over the flame. Torch lighters, liquid-fuel lighters or butane lighters will work fine, there is nothing at all that differs in the lighting process.
If the cigar is trimmed back, there will likely be some darkening of the tobacco, particularly in the center of the cigar where the smoke tends to be drawn through the most. This is nothing to worry about and the tobacco will still taste good. In fact, some smokers actually prefer this taste as it has a bit more “bite” to it and offers a different smoking experience.
Good cigars can be expensive and, given that they’re large, many smokers actually prefer to smoke them in stages. Generally, the more times a cigar is relit the harsher it will become so most smokers prefer to limit this to one relight per cigar. With a very good cigar, however, the quality of the smoke may well make multiple relights completely acceptable.
Tags: butan lighters, cigar accessories, cigar lighters, educational, hobbies, how-to, leisure, lifestyle, lighters, pipe lighters
Jul 8th, 2009 Posted in lifestyle | no comment »
by Dave Sabot
A pipe lighter gives some information as to the correct way to light a pipe. Most of these lighters contains some attachments which are used in the tamping and cleaning process. Properly packing and cleaning the pipe before and after use is vital to the best smoking experience.
The pipe lighter will have a wide hole in the screen instead of the several small holes characteristic of cigarette lighters. This allows the flame to be drawn into the pipe easily. Ideally, one shouldnt hold the pipe lighter perpendicular to the tobacco but, rather, at a slight angle. The flame can be easily drawn down into the bowl by lightly puffing until the tobacco reaches a temperature sufficient to sustain combustion but which is not so hot that it results in a harsh smoke.
Some individuals are sensitive to the taste of lighter fluid in the first few puffs. While many smokers don’t notice it at all, some of the higher-end lighter fluids advertise that they impart no flavor to the smoke during the lighting process. If one happens to detect a bit of fuel taste while lighting the pipe, switching fluid brands will likely alleviate this problem. Again, this is a matter of personal preference. Fuel should always be of a high quality simply to preserve the lighter and to ensure a reliable light.
Lighting the pipe is much different than is lighting a cigar or a cigarette. First, one must eliminate any moisture from the tobacco. Hold the flame above the tobacco and draw it down by puffing lightly. Get the tobacco smoking but don’t light it. The tobacco will puff up and take on a shaggy appearance. Tamp it back into the bowl and level it out again.
The first lighting is to eliminate any moisture. Don’t set the tobacco burning, just puff a few times until the tobacco fluffs up. After the bowl is tamped down again and tested for an easy draw, hold the lighter above the tobacco and puff a few times until the tobacco achieves a nice, cool burn. When the pipe is properly-lit, the tobacco can burn for a long time and the smoke will be cool and mellow. Fluid-filled lighters can provide years of service and many of them come with attachments specifically for tamping and cleaning the pipe.
Tags: butane lighters, cigar lighters, cigar smoking, cigars, educational, hobbies, Instructional, leisure, lifestyle, pipe lighters, pipe smoking
Jul 4th, 2009 Posted in lifestyle | no comment »
by Dave Sabot
Owners of refillable lighters know that having a can of butane fuel available is a must even if a lighter lasts a very long time on a single refill. Without extra butane, cigar and pipe smokers may have to use a less disirable lighting device when their usual butane lighter runs out of fuel.
For cigar and pipe smokers alike, butane is the preferred type of lighter because it imparts no fowl taste or odors on the tobacco. It is for this very reason that seasoned smokers are sure to have additional butane on hand so that they can have the most enjoyable smoking experience possible.
So how does one go about storing butane properly for their lighter? Common sense and a few simple steps are all there is to storing fuel safely. There are a number of different container sizes and fuel brands on the market. Butane comes in pressurized containers and the canisters are required, by law, to have instructions on the label regarding storage and usage of the product. Following the instructions will ensure that you keep your butane supply safe.
The first step is to store your butane safely. Keep it in your home, out of the reach of any children. Most canisters are safe up to a rather high temperature, so even if you live in an extremely warm climate, you will have no worries about safety. However, you should exercise the same storage techniques for butane as for your torch lighter. For instance, do not store it in direct sunlight, as this can increase the canister’s temperature to unsafe levels. Store it in a cool, dry area away from sunlight and any other heat sources.
You should never store your butane in your vehicle, as the interior temperature of vehicles can reach very high ranges during warmer months. If you want to keep your lighter butane supply safe, the best option is to keep it at home, where it is safe from extreme temperature conditions. In addition, you should also ensure that the tip of the butane canister remains unclogged and undamaged. If it does become clogged or damaged through use, removing the clog or discarding the canister and purchasing a new one is the best thing for your needs. With just a few tips and steps, you can ensure that your butane supply remains safe and sound, providing you with the fuel you need.
Tags: butane lighters, cigar lighters, cigar smoking, educational, hobbies, how-to, leisure, lifestyle, pipe lighters