How to refill a cigar lighter?
Just received your Atelier Atypique torch lighter and want to enjoy it as soon as possible? For safety reasons, all our torch lighters are shipped empty of gas—the first step before being able to light your cigar is therefore the refill. Refilling a storm lighter is a simple process, provided you follow a few important steps to ensure the longevity of your lighter.
Looking to buy a cigar lighter?
This article explains how to refill a torch lighter. To choose and order your model, browse our collection directly.
View all our cigar lighters →Equipment needed to refill your cigar lighter
Before starting, gather the two essential items:
Important: never use gas intended for stoves, camping cartridges, or disposable BIC-style lighters—these gases contain impurities that will quickly clog the fine nozzles of a torch lighter and reduce flame precision.
→ Discover our butane torch lighters, delivered ready to be refilled.
Step 1 — Purge the lighter before refilling
Even before thinking about filling your lighter with gas, you must ensure the tank is completely empty—both of residual gas and, more importantly, accumulated air.
Why this purge is essential
Over time and with successive refills, air can accumulate in the tank of your single or triple torch lighter. This air blocks the 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 easiest repairs to perform yourself—no need to send your lighter back or replace it. Purging before each refill prevents 90% of failures.
How to perform the purge — step-by-step procedure
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Get 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 filling 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 noise
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 before use—a few seconds are enough
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Position your lighter upside down, bottom facing up, held firmly
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Place the cartridge tip perpendicularly onto the filling valve and push down 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 full 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 missing or too weak after refilling, repeat the procedure from the purge. In the vast majority of cases, air remains in the tank.
Tip: if you hear a persistent hissing sound or see leaks during filling, the refill tip is not properly positioned in the valve, or its diameter is not suitable. Try with another adapter tip provided with the cartridge.
→ All our butane storm lighters are compatible with standard refills on the market.
Safety precautions to observe
Butane is a flammable gas—a few basic rules allow you to refill with complete peace of mind, in compliance with current safety standards.
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Wait until the lighter is completely cold—never refill immediately after use. Wait at least 10 minutes after the last ignition.
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Set the flame intensity to the 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 the lighter and cartridge in the same position.
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Work in a ventilated area, away from any heat source or open flame.
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Do not smoke while refilling and keep any object that could produce a spark away.
How often should you refill your cigar lighter?
This depends directly on your usage and the model. Triple-torch or flat-flame lighters naturally consume more gas than a single-torch model.
Visible gas gauge: lighters equipped with 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 a trip. Browse our range of lighters with a visible gauge.
→ Our lighters with a visible gas gauge make it easy to monitor butane levels.
Extend the lifespan of your torch lighter
Beyond the refilling procedure, a few simple habits help preserve your lighter over time:
Choosing the right cigar lighter model
Now that you have mastered refilling, the next step is to find the model that suits your habits. Also, remember to pair your lighter with a Spanish cedar cigar humidor to keep your cigars in the best conditions between tastings, and a cigar cutter suited to the ring gauge of your favorite smokes.
For demanding enthusiasts, our gift sets bring together the best accessories in an elegant presentation—ideal for gifting.
Browse the entire cigar lighter collection
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FAQ — Refilling a cigar lighter
From the single torch lighter to the triple jet for large gauges — discover all our butane torch lighters, designed for the cigar ritual.
See all our cigar lighters →