| Refillable butane lighters represent one of the most | | | | filled. For obvious reasons, they will lose all their fuel in |
| durable and reliable devices on the market. Of course, | | | | short order and may prove impossible to fill from the |
| any device can malfunction and every device is | | | | start. Do not keep such lighters filled and in one's |
| subject to damage from incorrect handling. These | | | | pocket! It's best to let them run out of fuel on their |
| devices, despite their characteristic durability, do have | | | | own. |
| fragile elements and they can sometimes become | | | | If the torch has a slow hiss and can still be lit-again, |
| damaged to the point of leaking fuel which is most | | | | one should not attempt this-the leak may be simply |
| often the cause of any hissing noises that one may | | | | the result of a leak on the refill valve or another part |
| hear emanating from the device. Troubleshooting | | | | of the device but the leak may not have become a |
| these issues is usually fairly straightforward. | | | | catastrophic issue as of yet. Any leak of pressurized |
| A hissing sound emanating from a lighter almost | | | | gas, however, will likely be a problem that will get |
| always means that there is a stuck release valve. | | | | worse with time. A leaking torch is not a safe device |
| One can experiment a bit by pushing down the fuel | | | | and should not be used until it is properly fixed by a |
| release button a few times to see if the problem can | | | | qualified individual. |
| be remedied in this fashion. If the problem fails to | | | | Cigar lighters and cigarette lighters that use butane as |
| return, it's likely that there was simply a stuck valve | | | | their fuel source contain pressurized gas. Though |
| that was moved into place by depressing and | | | | these devices can take a lot of abuse and can |
| releasing the button. More severe problems require | | | | provide a lifetime of safe and reliable service, they |
| the services of a tech. | | | | must be treated with kindness. Never stick anything |
| If the hissing noise is always audible, it generally | | | | into the ignition area and never subject the case to |
| means that there is a severe leak somewhere in the | | | | abuse. If the lighter starts hissing after such an |
| lighter and that there is a hazard of having the lighter | | | | incident, it's likely that there is significant damage to |
| explode. Lighters found in this condition should not be | | | | the device that necessitates repair. |