Of all the things for a cigar enthusiast to consider, does butane lighter fuel really make a difference in the smoking experience?
Well, yes and no. The brand or “type” of butane you use will hardly make an ounce of difference when it comes to actually lighting your cigar. Butane is flavorless and odorless and will not impact the flavor of your tobacco.
But the butane you use can improve the functionality and longevity of your lighters, so let’s take a look at this concept in more detail.
The Difference Between High and Low-Quality Butane Lighter Fuel, and How It Impacts Your Lighters
Butane, chemically, is all the same. It is a string of carbon and hydrogen atoms with the formula C4H10. When butane combusts in the presence of oxygen, it produces water vapor, carbon dioxide, and heat – the flame you use to light your cigar.
In that sense, all butane is the same. But it’s not about the butane itself. It’s about what else is in the butane lighter fuel that you’re using.
The vast majority of butane is atmospherically distilled from wet natural gas streams that are recovered incidentally from crude oil reserves. Before it can be used, butane must be purified or refined. This helps remove impurities from the butane mixture.
These impurities are what constitute the difference between high and low-quality butane lighter fuel.
If all butane were completely pure, it would not matter which butane you used in your cigar lighters. But it isn’t pure. There are always trace amounts of impurities left behind from the distillation process. These impurities do not burn as cleanly as butane and can leave behind residue and fouling.
While they will not impact the flavor of your cigar, they can interfere with the operability of your cigar lighter – specifically when it comes to torch lighters that are so popular among cigar smokers.
It won’t make much of a difference with a soft flame lighter, but torch lighters have specialized jets that must release the butane under pressure in order to produce a directional flame. If these ports become obstructed, the lighter either will not produce a jet flame or will not light at all.
Low-quality butane – that is, butane that contains a high concentration of impurities – will clog these jets and can hamper the functionality of a torch lighter.
Unclogging a torch lighters jets is difficult and time-consuming. It’s best not to let them become dirty in the first place, and the best way to keep them clean is only to use high-quality butane lighter fuel, such as triple refined butane which is over 99.9% pure.
Using only high-quality butane in your cigar lighters will keep the jets clear and the lighter working properly for longer.
What About Liquid Fuel and Windproof Lighters?
One thing you may think about in this situation is whether or not it’s better to use a lighter that takes liquid lighter fluid, like a Zippo, to light your cigars, since these don’t have jets that can become clogged.
The answer is generally, no, it’s not a good idea. The liquid fuel that Zippos use can alter the flavor of your tobacco, and moreover, Zippos often leak fuel and do not stay filled for long.
So if you love your torch lighter, stick with it – just make sure to use triple refined butane.
Where Can I Get High Quality, Triple Refined Butane Lighter Fuel?
Looking for high-quality, triple-refined butane lighter fuel like Lotus Butane? Visit Rocky’s Cigars online at RockysCigars.com.
They carry butane, cigar accessories, and a wide range of premium cigars at discount prices. Visit their website and treat yourself to something; orders over $140 ship free!
