While lighters designed to enkindle cigarettes, cigars and pipes predated the twentieth century, the advent of ferrocerium in the early 1900s gave birth to what is typically now known as the pocket lighter, a convenient source of flame that can be carried on one’s person. Naphtha based petroleum formulations(petrol) were the standard fuel used in such mechanisms until the 1950s when compressed butane began to steal the spotlight. This article will highlight some of the differences between the two, along with pros and cons that come along with using each cigarette lighter fuel.
What’s The Difference?
At the basest level cigarette lighter fuel that’s available on the market today can be seen as liquid(petrol) which is poured into or otherwise used to saturate the absorbent wadding of a lighter or gas(butane) which is pumped into an inlet valve from a pressurized can. These are the two main kinds of fuel that one must consider when deciding which system of igniting a smoke to employ.
Petrol lighters will typically have a fuel chamber that is filled with rayon, cotton, sawdust or other absorbent material that is saturated with liquid petrol lighter fluid in order to fuel the flame they are designed to produce from a wick that carries fuel vapors up to the ignition area or chimney. It’s a very simple and rudimentary system for producing a flame but does have some limitations, notably evaporation and a tricky flame to light a smoke off of in windy conditions.
Butane lighters are filled with the compressed gas by a spring-loaded canister through an inlet valve usually located on the base of the lighter and ignited from a burner valve at the top designed to regulate the flow of gas coming from the fuel tank. This system is a little further advanced with its seals and valves than the petrol paradigm and comes with its own set of limitations which typically involves the deterioration of the rubber seals or o-rings used to seal the various valves.
Evaporation/Failure Of Seals
Evaporation of fuel is the biggest and most boisterous complaint from those who opt to use the petrol fueled variety of pocket cigarette lighters. The Zippo style, slide-in insert type lighters are the main culprit but even petrol lighters with a more “closed” tank that is sealed at the fueling area with a screw and gasket and the wick with a tightly closed snuffer like the Penguin Cygnus can lose fuel faster than one might think.
While butane lighters may not be prone to evaporation and new models are not likely to leak from failing o-rings, over time it seems that all butane lighter seals fail making the use of vintage butane lighters even more problematic as they typically require replacement of the o-rings in order to be usable. I’m not saying that you won’t occasionally catch a break and fuel up an old butane lighter that both retains and regulates gas properly but those instances are rare as the vast majority of old butane lighters tested with gas will leak from at least one if not both valves.
A new butane lighter may function perfectly as intended for yrs before the o-ring seals or flame adjustment controls begin to fail and a constantly used butane lighter may be less prone to seal rot than an idle one. Evaporation from petrol lighters is simply a fact of life and must be tolerated when petrol lighters are favored but both fuel systems obviously have certain limitations.
Convenience/Frequency Of Filling
Squirting a few seconds worth of petrol fluid into the absorbent wadding on the bottom of a Zippo or under the fuel screw of a Ronson or Evans automatic lighter is an easy enough chore to accomplish once a week or so in order to be prepared the next time you’re ready to light up. The same could be said of refilling a compressed butane lighter with fuel as well though as it also only takes a matter of seconds to pump the proper amount of fuel in for it to last at least a week, if not longer.
Petrol lighters can suffer from vapor lock though when even the smallest amount of excess petrol fluid is poured into the wadding. Vapor lock is only temporary but can be frustrating especially when attempting to light up immediately after (over)filling the lighter with fluid.
Butane lighters do not suffer from vapor lock but can be temperamental in regard to ignition, especially when paired with a piezoelectric form of spark as the flow of gas may be too strong for the tiny spark to ignite. Butane lighters can also benefit from the bleeding of the inlet valve to purge the fuel tank of excess air that tends to occupy the space and hinder proper regulation.
Suitability Of Flame
I have never had any problem lighting up off a Zippo flame inside my house or automobile so long as I did not have air conditioning blowing in my face. The Oklahoma wind is an entirely different animal though and I have practically given up trying to use a Zippo outside in the wind as the flame tends to dance around and flick in every direction but tall, straight and steady like I need in order to light up the things that I smoke.
Commercially produced cigarettes are much easier to light and therefore may not present you with the same problem. Some petrol lighter designs may be more suitable to a consistent, stable flame as well but they all tend to have their issues when the wind gets strong enough, which is often where I live.
The flame produced by butane lighters is typically a stronger, more sturdy flame as the fuel being under pressure is forcing the flame up and out from the lighter as opposed to the lazy disposition of a petrol flame. There are even pipe models available which orient the burner valve to steer the flame sideways for easier coaxing down into your pipe.
What Lights Your Fire?
There were and are other fuels and even methods for lighting up that rely on fusees and catalytic reactions that create a different way to light up your smoke. Electric arc lighters rely on electricity and require not fuel at all but have limitations of their own. Those are discussions for another day however.
We would love to hear any comments, questions or suggestions you may have and the comments section below this article is a terrific place for you to join this discussion. Please consider posting your input on the DependableFlame.com Facebook group if you would like to include attached media such as video or photos to illustrate your insights or question as attachments are not allowed in the comments on the website.
Please stay tuned to our YouTube channel as we regularly publish show & tell and instructional vintage petrol lighter repair demonstration videos. We would also love for you to participate in our weekly YouTube live stream Vintage Coffee And Lighters Live! where we settle in over a cup of coffee and discuss old lighters and anything else that may suit us at the moment.
Until next time…✌️
Thank you for sharing this informative article comparing the two main types of cigarette lighter fuel: petrol and butane. It’s fascinating to learn about the differences between the two and the pros and cons associated with each fuel type.
The article does an excellent job of explaining the mechanisms behind petrol and butane lighters, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. The discussion on evaporation and seal failure for both fuel systems is particularly helpful in understanding the potential challenges users may face. The convenience and frequency of refilling, as well as the suitability of the flame in different conditions, are also valuable considerations.
Thank you Anoth, I really appreciate your insights and am glad that you took the time to read the article as well as sharing your thoughts in the comment. I do find it interesting that each of the two major fuel systems have their own limitations that make it difficult for users to wholeheartedly embrace either system as superior. It seems to me that by this time in history someone should have improved upon the butane system in such a way to make it more dependable longterm but we shall see!
Question: How does the environmental context, particularly wind conditions, influence the choice between a petrol and butane lighter?
My Thoughts: From the information given in the article, it seems that flame suitability can be a significant factor in choosing between petrol and butane lighters. Petrol lighters, while they work well in sheltered or indoor conditions, appear to struggle in windy environments, which could be a hindrance for users who frequently find themselves outdoors or in windy conditions. On the other hand, butane lighters offer a stronger and more stable flame, thanks to the pressurized fuel forcing the flame upwards. This could be a major advantage for users in windy environments, making the butane lighter a more reliable choice. Therefore, the choice between a petrol or butane lighter could be heavily influenced by the user’s environmental context and needs. However, other factors such as personal preference, the frequency of usage, and the type of smoke can also play crucial roles in this decision.
You summarized the article very well John in answering the question that you posited. I agree with you one hundred percent and that is exactly why I carry a butane lighter on me at all times is the brutality of the Oklahoma wind. In reality though, it doesn’t even take that much of a wind to make a Zippo unusable for my one-handed purposes outdoors. I also always carry a petrol lighter as well though but you left at least one valid reason off your list of justifications to carry one. I carry a vintage petrol lighter because they are so cool!
WoW! what an informative article. I never knew there was so much to think of when using a lighter. I’m just used to picking any old bic laying around, so I never even thought of the fluid in them.
Good information on the leaking too. Thanks so much, I enjoyed your article very much.
It’s something you really ought to think about Sandi before you go out and buy another Bic. I wrote an article a few years ago where I talk about the lost idea that people used to have of fixing a product when it broke rather than just throwing it in the garbage. There are also options to purchase refillable lighters rather than opting for the convenient choice of a plastic Bic that damages the envirionment just being produced and then so often ends up in the trash or discarded on the street without ever being efficiently used.
When I was in college and smoked cigarettes, I preferred a Zippo. The flame was always so strong and consistent, making it the go-to for smokers around the world, or so I thought. After purchasing one for myself, the novelty wore off quickly as I realized the chore of constantly refilling it. However, I couldn’t deny the charm of the Zippo; a simple flick of the wheel was all it took to ignite a flame, and that signature sound was oddly satisfying.
I eventually found solace in Butane lighters. They quickly became my favorite for lighting candles around my home or even at a backyard barbeque because of their ease of use and reliability. But let’s be honest, they’re not without their faults. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched in frustration as the flame randomly went out, causing me to start the ignition process all over again.
It’s true, preference for which lighter you use often comes down to what you need it for. If you’re a smoker, you need something that can handle the outside wind, especially in tough weather conditions. But for me, as someone who loves to use lighters for candles and to get rid of unpleasant odors, flexibility is key. At the end of the day, when all factors are weighed, Butane lighters will forever have a special place in my heart. I no longer smoke cigarettes.
Thank you Tia for checking out the article and also for sharing your insights here. I understand what you mean by having to refill your Zippo all the time. I would say that and the element of evaporation which plays into the fact that it has to be refilled so often are the biggest complaints I hear from those who are just beginning to use petrol lighters in general. Butane doesn’t evaporate out of a proper functioning lighter though so that is helpful in alleviating the refill problem but like you said, butane lighters have issues of their own like o-ring seals failing and failure to ignite in very cold temperatures.
Hi there, Joseph.
The vapor lock demonstration was exquisite. That is great information to know when a lighter doesn’t light. Typically, I like to always have a working lighter on hand somewhere either in the house or car at all times. Although I don’t smoke cigarettes myself, I have many family members who do. I always enjoy your amazing videos. I have always thought that vapor lock meant time for a new lighter.
Rachele
Vapor lock is one facet of using petrol lighters than can be very frustrating and confusing to people who are new to employing them or perhaps just never owned a lighter that was prone to the condition. It is a very easy problem to solve though as one simply needs to flush the chimney area of the lighter with fresh air to force out the excess fuel vapors that have gathered in the ignition area. This can be accomplished by lifting the open lighter quickly into the air or blowing into the chimney area before attempting to ignite the lighter.
Great article! It’s fascinating to learn about the evolution of cigarette lighters and the differences between petrol and butane fuels. The explanation of how the fuel is used in each type of lighter is clear and informative. The discussion on evaporation and seal failures for both fuel types highlights some important considerations for lighter users. The convenience and frequency of filling, as well as the suitability of the flame in different conditions, are also well-explained. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into the pros and cons of using petrol and butane as cigarette lighter fuels.
Thank you Jason, I am glad you found the article both informative and useful. It was really frustrating to me when I first started working with old lighters and every time I would get another group of them in I would test all the butane models to see if they would hold fuel. No more than one out of every ten would hold gas on both ends and typically the odds were way less than that. It is simply a fact of life that old butane seals are going to leak and that’s just one of the elements of the vintage lighter hobby than steered me into the more easily fixable petrol lighter category.
Shoo, it seems there are a lot of problems that can crop up with these vintage lighters, and this article has been very helpful in addressing them all. Maybe in the heading, it should indicate that this article is not only a debate, but also a troubleshooting session.
So I just want to clarify, is butane better than petrol when it comes to lighting up in windy conditions?
Hey Michel, thank you for dropping by again, I am always glad to read your insights into the topic at hand. Butane is definitely more reliable for lighting up in windy, outdoor conditions especially if it is important to the operator to have one-handed operation of the lighter because even with an extra hand to cup around and guard the flame while lighting up it is difficult to get a petrol flame to stand still long enough for me to be able to ignite the sort of cigarettes that I smoke.
There is a lot to lighters that I never had imagined.
It looks like both have their pros and cons, when it comes to longevity in which is the better fuel.
I’m curious as to what you would recommend as the best value over time, petrol or butane lighters? Or, do you prefer the simplicity of a match?
The electric lighters intrigue me too. I look forward to learning about these. What has been the greatest invention or leap in the production of lighters that you can recall?
Hey Dale, thanks for the comment and I am glad that you found the article so educational! I actually find that I need both a petrol and butane lighter to be among the things that are in my pocket or on my person as I leave the apartment each day. I don’t use matches but it might not be a bad idea to throw some of them in my bag as well. I love using Zippos and other petrol lighters but don’t like getting stuck with only a Zippo out in the wind and that is why I also carry a butane lighter at all times. One just sort of backs up the other.
I would say the greatest leap forward in regard to pocket lighters was the advent of ferrocerium because this is the element that really made it possible for them to proliferate in the manner they have!