I have bought several torch lighters from CI in the past few months and all have suffered the same f

USMC_Grunt_37

I have bought several torch lighters from CI in the past few months and all have suffered the same fate within a month or so: one, or more, of the torches fails (they may flame but not torch). Very frustrating. Is there a way to clean the torch heads?

Thanx

90+_Irishman

How are you fueling them after they run out, what elevation do you use them at, and what brand and type of fuel are you using? All of these can have big impacts on use and performance. 

When they are empty you need to purge the tank before refueling, when you do refuel you might want to try the newer Xikar High Performance butane as it’s meant to work in higher elevations, and also meant to help bring back lighters that are acting like yours. Lastly if you’re above 6K feet many lighters either work poorly or not at all. There are options for higher elevation lighters but the regular cheap-o ones aren’t part of it. 

Let us ya know the answers and we will try to help. 

Yakster

The need to purge the lighter to get rid of the pressure before refilling is very real for many lighters.

Dirty jets can be cleaned with the same butane canister you use to refill, just make sure that there's no flame first.

ForMud

Purge the tank, place lighter in freezer for 20 min, then fill with a quality/clean fuel.

Amos_Umwhat

Some of the well known name brand butanes suck.  I've had bad luck with Ronson and Zippo fuel.  I clean my torch heads with Nitro solvent and compressed air when I have problems, and I've had good luck with Lucienne, King, and Xikar butane fuel. 

Also, as noted above, purging is essential, and I've found that lighters that are on sale cheap, often are on sale cheap because they're crap.  Hope this helps.