butane barbeque lighter crapped out at altitude...AGAIN

scruffuk said:
Alternately, have you thought about just using a ferro-rod or a piezo igniter?? (something that uses a spark rather than flame + fuel to ignite).
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+1

Butane is a real bear at altitude and at low temperatures. There's also a problem with keeping a flame in the wind (if you've ever tried lighting a cigarette with a bic lighter on a windy day, you'll know what I'm talking about), and blue fame butane burns through fuel quickly and is finicky. On the other hand, lighter fluid (Zippo style) works great at altitude and in low temperatures and is very wind resistant, but dries out quickly; a Zippo will dry out after just a few days of regular use. In short, a bic lighter in the pack for emergencies is good, but to start fires reliably, lighters are not the way to go. I think something else like a ferro rod and tinder is better.
 
Magnaminous_G said:
+1

Butane is a real bear at altitude and at low temperatures. There's also a problem with keeping a flame in the wind (if you've ever tried lighting a cigarette with a bic lighter on a windy day, you'll know what I'm talking about), and blue fame butane burns through fuel quickly and is finicky. On the other hand, lighter fluid (Zippo style) works great at altitude and in low temperatures and is very wind resistant, but dries out quickly; a Zippo will dry out after just a few days of regular use. In short, a bic lighter in the pack for emergencies is good, but to start fires reliably, lighters are not the way to go. I think something else like a ferro rod and tinder is better.
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... but not to light an RV stove. :) A blended fuel bbq grille lighter might solve your problem. They have a butane/propane mix in them. Otherwise, try keeping a pack of fireplace matches handy in your camper. They aren't very finicky about altitude. Or bend a metal wire to hold a regular kitchen match like we used to do for our home furnace.
 
You could always put a couple of drops of zippo fluid in your torch lighter or on your bbq lighter. Then touch it to the gas jet.
 
When the gas company guy lights a pilot light, he uses a telescoping rod. It's about the size of a pen until he extends it. The extended end sports an alligator clamp. He lights a match, puts it in the clamp, and has all the reach he needs.

Somebody must sell those things.
 
Raymond1000 said:
When the gas company guy lights a pilot light, he uses a telescoping rod. It's about the size of a pen until he extends it. The extended end sports an alligator clamp. He lights a match, puts it in the clamp, and has all the reach he needs.

Somebody must sell those things.
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Head shops! :D
 
I have used a Bic lighter above 14,000 ft many times. Matches always work and many stoves can be lit with a ferro rod or other sparking device, you don't always need an actual flame.
 
Some electronics shops do sell mini-propane torches, even pen-size torches for melting solder. But matches in a holder sounds like an easy solution to me.
 
Codger_64 said:
... but not to light an RV stove. :) A blended fuel bbq grille lighter might solve your problem. They have a butane/propane mix in them. Otherwise, try keeping a pack of fireplace matches handy in your camper. They aren't very finicky about altitude. Or bend a metal wire to hold a regular kitchen match like we used to do for our home furnace.
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Good point. Matches seem to be the best solution. Maybe those long, cigar or fireplace matches?
 
I have found out the hard way that may refillable "windproof" butane torch lighters don't work above the Timber line. It is amazing that the cheap-o Bic still does.
 
Vaporization temperature for butane is 32 degrees Fahrenheit so if you carry a bic in a outer pocket during the winter it won't vaporize until the heat of your hand warms the butane. In the winter I always keep a bic in a inside jacket pocket.

Clark
 
That happened to me a few years ago. I bought a butane insert for my zippo and above 9,000 ft it wouldn't work. It wasn't a big deal as I had other fire starters. I thought the butane insert would be better because the lighter fluid seems to evaporate from my regular zippo insert. I don't know why I bother keeping the zippo because the common Bic lighter seems to work everywhere.
 
Bic lighters are definitely awesome. Best value in the world! Everyone should have a few around the house and car. I use a Zippo because I smoke cigarettes, and I like the wind-resistance (nothing more annoying than trying to light your cigarette with a butane lighter on a windy day). I have a routine where I top off the fluid every few days before I leave for work, so I never worry about it drying out. I keep 3 spare flints under the felt pad (old Zippo trick), so I never have to worry about that.
 
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