Torch Basics
1. Why do I need a torch lighter instead of a regular lighter?
A regular lighter produces a soft flame that drifts, loses heat to the air, and will not bring quartz up to dabbing temperature in any reasonable time. A torch burns butane under pressure and produces a focused jet that stays put and delivers far more heat to a small area. For heating a quartz banger or a nectar collector tip, it is not a preference, it is the right tool. We compare the two directly in torch lighter versus regular lighter.
2. Single, dual or triple flame, which should I get?
More jets means more heat delivered faster, and also more butane burned. A single flame is fine for oil burners, pipes and light use, and a tank lasts noticeably longer. Dual is the sensible middle for most dabbers. Triple heats a thick banger quickly and is worth it if you have a heavy piece or you dab often, but it will drain a tank fast. Our breakdown of single versus dual versus triple flame torches goes through the trade in detail.
3. What is the difference between a flint wheel and a push-button torch?
A flint wheel ignites mechanically, which means it keeps working in cold weather and at altitude where electronic ignition sometimes struggles, and the flint is replaceable when it wears. A push-button piezo torch is faster and easier one-handed, but when the igniter fails the torch is usually finished. Flint is more repairable, piezo is more convenient. We cover both in flint wheel igniters versus push-button piezo torches.
4. Should I get an angled or a straight torch?
If you dab, get the angled one. A 45 degree torch lets you heat the bottom of a banger without holding your hand directly beneath a flame or twisting your wrist into an awkward position, and anyone who has burned their knuckles on a straight torch understands why immediately. Straight torches are fine for oil burners and general use where you are heating something in front of you rather than underneath. Our post on 45 degree angled versus straight torches covers the ergonomics.
Butane and Refilling
5. What butane should I use?
Refined butane, and the more filtered the better. Cheap unrefined butane contains impurities that clog the jets, and a clogged torch is the single most common reason a torch stops working properly. Look for butane described as filtered multiple times. The price difference per can is small and it is the main thing standing between you and a torch that sputters after a month.
6. How do I refill a torch lighter?
Turn the flame adjuster to its lowest setting first, then hold the torch upside down and press the butane can straight down onto the fill valve. Keep it vertical, since refilling at an angle lets air into the tank instead of fuel. Fill in short bursts of a few seconds rather than one long press. Then let the torch sit for two or three minutes before lighting it, so the butane can settle and reach room temperature. Full walkthrough in our guide on how to refill a Scorch Torch butane lighter.
7. Why won't my torch light after refilling?
Usually air trapped in the tank. Butane needs to be liquid to work, and if air got in during filling, the torch will hiss without igniting. Bleed the tank by pressing the fill valve with a small screwdriver until it stops releasing, then refill properly with the torch upside down and vertical. The other common cause is not waiting after a refill, since freshly filled butane is cold and needs a few minutes before it will light reliably.
8. How long does a tank of butane last?
It depends almost entirely on how many jets you are running and how long you hold the trigger. A single flame torch used for oil burners might go weeks. A triple flame torch used for several dabs a day will need refilling far more often. Rather than tracking it, keep a spare can. Running out mid-session is the main frustration people report, and butane is inexpensive.
Troubleshooting
9. Why is my torch flame weak or sputtering?
Three usual causes, in order of likelihood. The tank is low, which produces a weak flame well before it produces none at all. The jets are clogged from unrefined butane. Or air is trapped in the tank and needs bleeding. Work through them in that order before assuming the torch is broken. Our guide on how to fix a Scorch Torch lighter covers the full diagnostic sequence.
10. My torch clicks but won't ignite. What now?
If it clicks and you can hear gas, the igniter is reaching the fuel but not sparking properly. On a flint model, the flint has probably worn down and needs replacing, which is a straightforward job covered in our guide on replacing the flint in a Scorch Torch. On a piezo model, check the flame adjuster is not turned fully down first, then check for a clogged jet. If neither, the igniter has usually failed.
11. Why does my torch stop working outdoors or in the cold?
Butane loses pressure as temperature drops, so a torch that works indoors can struggle on a cold day. Warm it in your hands or a pocket for a few minutes before use. Wind is a separate issue, and this is where a proper torch beats a normal lighter, since the pressurised jet resists wind far better than an open flame. Our post on windproof butane torches covers outdoor use.
Using a Torch Safely
12. How long should I heat a quartz banger?
Heat it until it just begins to glow, then stop and let it cool. The waiting is the part people skip, and it matters more than the heating. Dropping concentrate onto a glowing banger burns it rather than vaporising it, which costs flavour and produces harsh vapour. Timing varies with banger thickness and how many jets your torch runs, so our guide on how long to heat a quartz banger is worth reading alongside this.
13. Can I use a torch on a silicone or glass piece?
Never on silicone directly. A torch reaches temperatures far beyond what silicone should meet, and this is the one hard rule. On glass, only ever apply the flame to the quartz banger or nail, never to the glass body of a rig, because the sudden heat will crack it. The torch touches quartz or titanium and nothing else. Our post on the best lighter for an oil burner pipe covers the lighter use case.
14. How should I store a torch lighter?
Upright, away from heat and out of direct sunlight, with the flame adjuster turned low and any child lock engaged. Never leave one in a hot car, since a pressurised butane tank in a closed vehicle in summer is a genuine hazard. If you travel with one, empty the tank first, because airlines do not allow torch lighters in either carry-on or checked baggage.
Choosing a Torch
15. What makes a good torch lighter?
A refillable metal body rather than disposable plastic, a stable base so it stands up on its own, an adjustable flame, and a flame lock if you heat for long stretches. Check the fill valve is a standard size so any butane can fits it. Scorch Torch is what we stock most of because it holds up to daily use without costing much, and we set out the reasoning in five reasons Scorch Torch stands out. If you are comparing brands, our Scorch Torch versus Newport Zero comparison covers the main alternative, and our top Scorch Torch lighters roundup covers the range.
16. Is a plasma or arc lighter a substitute for a butane torch?
Not for dabbing. Arc lighters are rechargeable, windproof and useful for lighting bowls, but they do not produce anything close to the heat needed to bring quartz to temperature. They are a genuine alternative to a normal lighter, not to a torch. We set out where each one fits in jet flame torches versus plasma arc lighters.
Buying From SmokeMEGA
17. What do I get when I order a torch from SmokeMEGA?
All torches in our Scorch Torch collection are refillable and ship free from our US warehouse on orders over $14.99. Orders over $30 get a free surprise gift. You have 14 days to return anything unused with no restocking fee and no return shipping cost. Torches ship empty, as butane cannot be shipped, so pick up a can of refined butane locally before your first use.