How to refill a cigar lighter?
You've just received your Atelier Atypique torch lighter and want to enjoy it as soon as possible? For safety reasons, all our torch lighters are delivered unfilled with gas — the first step before you can light your cigar is refilling. Refilling a torch lighter is a simple task, provided you follow a few important steps to ensure the longevity of your igniter.
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This article explains how to refill a torch lighter. To choose and order your model, browse our collection directly.
View all our cigar lighters →The equipment needed to refill your cigar lighter
Before you begin, gather the two essential items:
Important: Never use gas intended for camping stoves, camping cartridges, or disposable lighters like BIC — these gases contain impurities that will quickly obstruct the fine nozzles of a torch lighter and reduce flame precision.
→ Discover our butane torch lighters delivered ready to refill.
Step 1 — Purge the lighter before refilling
Before even thinking about filling your lighter with gas, you must ensure the tank is completely empty — both of residual gas and, especially, accumulated air.
Why this purge is essential
Over time and successive refills, air can accumulate in the tank of your single or triple torch lighter. This air blocks contact between the liquid gas and the ignition nozzle, causing the most common failure in torch lighters: capricious ignition, a weak flame, or no flame at all despite a full tank.
This is one of the simplest repairs to do yourself — no need to send your lighter back or replace it. Purging before each refill prevents 90% of malfunctions.
How to perform the purge — step-by-step procedure
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Grab a ballpoint pen, a small screwdriver, or a pointed knife
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Turn the lighter upside down
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Firmly press the fill valve located on the bottom of the lighter for 5 to 10 seconds
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You should hear a slight hissing sound: this is the air escaping
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Repeat the operation until there is no more gas or air sound
Step 2 — Refill your lighter with butane gas
Once the purge is complete, you can proceed with the actual refill.
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Shake the gas refill can before use — a few seconds are enough
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Position your lighter upside down, held firmly
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Place the nozzle of the cartridge perpendicularly on the fill valve and push it in firmly
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Maintain pressure for about 5 seconds, then release
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Repeat the operation 2 to 3 times to ensure a complete refill
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Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the gas to return to room temperature — liquid butane is cold and can temporarily affect ignition
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Adjust the flame intensity to the desired height using the adjustment wheel
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Light your lighter — the blue flame should be stable and directional
If the flame is still absent or too weak after refilling, restart the procedure from the purge. In most cases, air remains in the tank.
Tip: If you hear a persistent hiss or notice leaks during filling, the refill nozzle is not correctly positioned in the valve, or its diameter is not suitable. Try with another adapter nozzle supplied with the cartridge.
→ All our butane torch lighters are compatible with standard refills on the market.
Safety precautions to observe
Butane is an flammable gas — a few basic rules allow you to refill with complete peace of mind, in accordance with applicable safety standards.
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Wait until the lighter is completely cool — never refill immediately after use. Wait at least 10 minutes after the last ignition.
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Set the flame intensity to minimum before refilling, using the screw or wheel next to the valve.
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Keep the lighter away from your face throughout the procedure.
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Always refill upside down, with both lighter and cartridge in the same position.
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Perform the operation in a ventilated area, away from any heat sources or open flames.
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Do not smoke during refilling and keep away any object likely to produce a spark.
How often should you refill your cigar lighter?
This depends directly on your usage and the model. Triple torch or flat flame lighters logically consume more gas than a single torch model.
Visible gas gauge: lighters equipped with a translucent reinforced glass on the tank allow you to check the level at a glance — a particularly practical feature for anticipating the next refill before traveling. Consult our range of lighters with visible gauges.
→ Our butane torch lighters with visible gas gauges make it easy to monitor the butane level.
Extend the life of your torch lighter
Beyond the refilling procedure, a few simple habits can help preserve your igniter over time:
Choosing the right cigar lighter model
Now that you've mastered refilling, the next step is to find the model that suits your habits. Also, consider pairing your lighter with a Spanish cedar humidor to keep your cigars in the best condition between tastings, and a cigar cutter adapted to the ring gauge of your favorite modules.
For discerning enthusiasts, our gift sets bring together the best accessories in an elegant box — ideal for gifting.
Browse the entire cigar lighter collection
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FAQ — Refilling a cigar lighter
From single torch lighters to triple jets for large ring gauges — find all our butane torch lighters, designed for the cigar ritual.
View all our cigar lighters →