Cigar Lighter Butane: Everything You Need to Know
The lighting of the cigar, for a cigar enthusiast, is a very particular part of the cigar ritual. For example, most aficionados know you don’t simply torch the end of your stogie and start puffing. Au contraire! Not only is this an affront to the cigar-maker and their intended experience for those who partake, but it will cause a collective gasp from purist cigar smokers everywhere.
The ritual of correctly lighting your premium cigar begins with toasting the end to get an even and thorough light. You never touch the flame directly to the leaf. Instead you roast the end as you would a marshmallow over a campfire; close enough to get toasted and rotating for even burn. As you puff on your premiere stogie the foot begins to glow. Once the glow is even, your cigar is lit.
This is where a butane lighter comes in!
What to Use to Light Your Cigar Correctly
Ideally one is to light one’s smoke with wooden matches and cedar spills. However, this is a very time consuming and inconvenient way to torch your stogie when doing it the proper way. Whether you’re enjoying a fine cigar with your cronies or hitting pause on the busy-ness of life while you relax with your favorite corona and reflect, you don’t necessarily wish to dawdle in the ritual of lighting. Enter the butane lighter.
The butane lighter is convenient and has been perfected to the art of lighting a cigar. There are likely as many opinions about the “best” butane lighter as there are cigar smokers and, similarly, not all cigar lighters are the same.
To start with you have soft flame and torch flame lighters. A soft flame provides a less intense burn so the lighting process is slower but many soft flame fans claim the taste is more natural, toasty and provides more control. Conversely, the torch flame issues a hotter flame and thorough and even light. You can toast the end of your cigar thoroughly before you take a puff. A torch flame is more reliably wind-resistant so preferred by the outdoor-active cigar lover.
The subcategories, manufacturers and style of torch and soft flame lighters are personal choices and there are myriad reasons among cigar enthusiasts for their preferences. One component of the cigar lighting ritual in which all agree is the fuel used in the cigar lighter: Butane.
Do Butane Lighters Differ?
Of course there are many different butane lighters available, built specifically for correct cigar-lighting. Nearly all cigar lighter manufacturers have their own or one which they recommend for best performance. And, just as all cigar accessories differ in quality and cost, so do cigar lighter butane fuels. While it’s likely you can’t tell a difference in the butane used to light your favorite stogie your lighter probably can.
Butane, a manufactured compound intended to turn into carbon dioxide and water vapor when exposed to oxygen, is the preferred fuel to light cigars with because of butane’s clean burn. No flavors are imparted into your cigar ensuring a very desirable smoking experience. There are some circumstances that may affect the flavor and they usually involve the haphazard approach to butane manufacturing.
For your cigar butane lighter to be clean and pure it must be isolated and refined, often several times. For instance most triple-refined butanes impart zero flavor or impurities that impact the integrity of your cigar. They are certified 99% pure and are typically the preferred butane by those purists among the cigar enthusiasts.
And not only does the refining process that produces the most pure butane affect how your cigar might taste but it also affects the performance of your cigar lighter. A cheap and haphazardly refined butane product can damage your lighter and the impurities can linger for a long time, rendering your favorite cigar light useless. So, it’s necessary to do your due diligence and find out which butane is the purest and cleanest and ultimately your preferred fuel for the lighting ritual.
Examples of Butane Refills for Cigar Lighters
Using the best quality of butane refill for your cigar lighter helps to ensure your lighter functions as efficiently as it should, free from clogged valves and carbon buildup. Both of these compromise your fighter’s ability to perform as it should. As we mentioned earlier some cigar lighter manufacturers recommend their own butane when it comes time to refill. Here are some examples of our customers’ favorites and how they differ.
Xikar Purofine Butane
This exceptionally refined butane from Xikar is very popular among our customers. Especially formulated to provide the cleanest light for torch lighters, the most demanding of cigar lighters, Xikar’s Purofine Butane is recommended for all Xikar and other lighters. With nearly zero impurities this butane protects against clogged burner valves and misfires, neither of which you want as part of your cigar smoking experience. Xikar also offers a high performance version of Purofine for those who consistently like a very robust flame for their jet lighters. Here’s what a few of our customers think.
Five-Star Reviewer Henry Strazzella says:
“Purofine butane. This the first time I have tried Xikar butane even though I have several Xikar lighters. It seems to work even better than the Vector I have been using for years. Northwoods is a reputable company to deal with, their delivery is fast, and always packaged well. In addition it is a good way to purchase butane which is harder to find in stores.”
Nick Vukich, another 5-star fan says:
“Amazing fuel! This is how this product was described to me by some of my cigar loving friends. I was skeptical before I tried it. However, that is no longer the case. The fuel DOES burn cleaner and hotter! Glad I tried it!”
S.T. Dupont Premium Butane
For 150 years the S.T Dupont name has been synonymous with excellence. These butanes are no exception. A high end, high-quality lighter deserves a fuel that’s as pure and refined as possible. Enter the S.T. Dupont premium butanes. There are three different versions, designed specifically for the precision cigar lighters in the Dupont line but suitable for other quality lighters as well. The S.T. Dupont Black Premium Butane is designed for the company’s maxi jet lighters and the Red Defi Extreme Premium Butane is made specifically to work in their high-end extreme torch lighters. The company also offers a popular line called the Ligne lighters. Known for their exquisite design the butane recommended for the Ligne and S.T. Dupont’s Long Table Lighter is the S.T. Dupont Yellow. Whatever your preference, our customers' reviews agree that the Dupont butanes are an excellent purchase.
Verified buyer and 5-star reviewer Maria Kalkutina says:
“The best cigar lighter fuel refill!
This one is my favorite, always reliable and convenient to use.”
Isaiah Ramirez applauds not only the Dupont butane but Northwoods Humidors’ excellent customer service!
“Great product and customer service. The butane came in great condition and faster than the expected date. Also loved the emails they sent out to keep you updated and in touch. Will be using this for forward purchases.”
Colibri Premium Butane
Undoubtedly the cleanest butane available, the Colibri Premium Butane is exceptional in performance, especially in jet-flame lighters. The Colibri company introduced the world, and cigar aficionados to the jet-flame technology with their Boss lighter nearly 40 Years ago.
Colibri is as proud of their butane as they are their world-class lighters. The butane is processed to exacting standards in the cleanest environment possible. The fuel is so pure that it doesn’t even require the multiple refining processes boarded by other fuels. The Colibri Premium Butane level of purity for all of their premium butanes is 99.9994%-the highest around.
When you use a premium butane that’s as free from impurities as possible you enhance the performance and the lifespan of your cigar lighter and prevent the need for costly repairs. If you’re looking for the most pure and clean butane for any cigar lighter we recommend Colibri Premium Butane, available in two multi-pack sizes, 90 ml and 300 ml.
When it comes to quality of this amazing butane our verified 5-star reviewers concur.
Kathy Wicker:
“Clean. Never disappointed in this butane!”
Michael Farrel:
“Colibri 1928 Premium Butane. Don't spend time or more money on other butanes. This product is absolutely the best made. Burns clean every time!”
And Kendra Sanders:
“Quality Butane, Quality Service. Colibri is one of purest commercially available butanes, if not the overall best. I've used it for several weeks now, and it's been a flawless product. Clean burns all around. Super happy with my purchase. Northwoods is excellent too. Fast shipping, great customer service, local shop--what's not to love!”
Thanks Kendra! We feel the same about you!
Care and Maintenance of Your Butane Lighter (Including How to Refuel)
When you invest in a quality butane lighter you want to make sure you have everything you need to maintain your cigar lighter in top working order. You owe it to your collection of premium stogies. Here we offer a quick lesson in care and maintenance of your lighter, including refueling.
First make sure you have everything you need to refill the butane in your lighter. We recommend this Xikar MTX Multi-Tool or the Xikar Lighter Tool, premium quality butane fuel and your lighter.
- Bleed Your Lighter: Turn your lighter upside down and use the screwdriver end of your tool to gently apply pressure to the refill valve. This purges any remaining fuel that is in your lighter. You may need to perform this task a few times to completely purge your lighter.
- Take Lighter to Lowest Setting: Using the flame wheel or control take your lighter down to the very lowest setting. This helps avoid any accidental flame as well as loss of fuel.
- Filling The Lighter: Now turn your lighter upside down and insert the tip of the butane tank refill. Holding the butane refill canister press down firmly and hold for about five seconds.
- Wait for Three to Five Minutes: Waiting up to five minutes allows the outside gas to dissipate and the lighter to return to room temperature.
- Reset Flame: Using the flame adjustment return the flame to your preferred size.
- Every Other Refill Maintenance: Every other refill you should clean the ignition area with a quick blast of compressed air. This removes dust, pocket lint and dirt from the ignition area as it could accumulate and cause a clog.
- Storing Your Cigar Lighter: If you plan to store your cigar lighter for an extended period go ahead and purge the butane. Follow the purging instructions above but do not refill.
A Few Considerations to Keep in Mind
The circumstances under which you light your cigar may vary. In that case there are a few things you should keep in mind regarding your butane.
- For best function and performance under any circumstances always keep your butane level at full.
- Allow your lighter to return to room temperature before lighting. This is very important for your safety.
- Premium quality butane is very important especially for those in higher altitudes. A lesser quality butane contains impurities that could clog your lighter.
- If you are outdoors in very cold temperatures always keep your cigar lighter against your body to keep it as warm as possible.
- When you are at a higher altitude, always take your time igniting your cigar. The gas/spark/flame process is different in these conditions.
When You Need Expert Service and Quality Butane
At Northwoods Humidors we offer a wide selection of butane brands as well as the top cigar lighters. Our selection of butanes, lighters and other cigar accessories, is unmatched in quality and value. Our knowledgeable customer care professionals are here to help you find just what you need to fully enjoy your cigar experiences. Find that perfect butane, lighter or anything else you need for yourself or your favorite cigar enthusiast. Just like our inventory Northwoods Humidors is unmatched in the quality and care we provide our customers.
