Torch Basics
1. Why do I need a torch instead of a regular lighter?
A regular lighter produces a soft flame that drifts and loses heat to the air. It 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. For heating a quartz banger or a nectar collector tip, it is the right tool rather than a preference. We compare the two in torch lighter versus regular lighter.
2. Single, dual or triple flame?
More jets means more heat faster, and more butane burned. A single flame suits oil burners, pipes and light use, and the tank lasts noticeably longer.
Dual is the sensible middle for most dabbers. Triple heats a thick banger quickly and is worth it if you dab often, but it drains a tank fast. Our breakdown of single versus dual versus triple flame torches goes through the trade.
3. Flint wheel or push button?
A flint wheel 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 one-handed, but when the igniter fails the torch is usually finished. Flint is more repairable, piezo more convenient. We cover both in flint wheel igniters versus push-button piezo torches.
4. Angled or straight?
If you dab, get the angled one. A 45 degree torch lets you heat the bottom of a banger without holding your hand under a flame.
Straight torches are fine for oil burners and general use. Our post on 45 degree 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 most common reason a torch stops working.
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.
6. How do I refill a torch?
Turn the flame adjuster to its lowest setting, then hold the torch upside down and press the butane can straight down onto the fill valve.
Keep it vertical, since filling at an angle lets air in instead of fuel. Fill in short bursts of a few seconds. Then let it sit for two or three minutes before lighting, so the butane reaches room temperature. Full walkthrough in our guide on refilling a Scorch Torch butane lighter.
7. Why will not my torch light after refilling?
Usually air trapped in the tank. Butane needs to be liquid to work, and if air got in, the torch hisses without igniting.
Bleed the tank by pressing the fill valve with a small screwdriver until it stops releasing, then refill upside down and vertical. The other common cause is not waiting after a refill, since fresh butane is cold.
8. How long does a tank last?
It depends on how many jets you run and how long you hold the trigger. A single flame torch used for oil burners might go weeks. A triple flame used for several dabs a day needs refilling far more often.
Rather than tracking it, keep a spare can. Running out mid-session is the main frustration people report.
Troubleshooting
9. Why is my flame weak or sputtering?
Three causes, in order of likelihood. The tank is low, which produces a weak flame well before it produces none. The jets are clogged from unrefined butane. Or air is trapped and needs bleeding.
Work through them in that order before assuming the torch is broken. Our guide on fixing a Scorch Torch lighter covers the full sequence.
10. It clicks but will not ignite. What now?
If it clicks and you can hear gas, the igniter is reaching the fuel but not sparking.
On a flint model, the flint has probably worn down, and replacing it is straightforward. Our guide on replacing the flint covers it. On a piezo model, check the flame adjuster is not turned fully down, then check for a clogged jet.
11. Why does my torch stop working 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.
Wind is separate, and this is where a torch beats a normal lighter. Our post on windproof butane torches covers outdoor use.
Using a Torch Safely
12. How long should I heat a quartz banger?
Until it just begins to glow, then stop and let it cool. The waiting matters more than the heating.
Dropping concentrate onto a glowing banger burns it rather than vaporising it. Timing varies with banger thickness and jet count, so our guide on how long to heat a quartz banger is worth reading alongside this.
13. Can I use a torch on silicone or glass?
Never on silicone directly. A torch reaches temperatures far beyond what silicone should meet, and this is the one hard rule. Our silicone FAQ covers why.
On glass, only ever apply flame to the quartz banger or nail, never to the glass body of a rig. Our post on the best lighter for an oil burner pipe covers that use case.
14. How should I store a torch?
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. A pressurised butane tank in a closed vehicle in summer is a genuine hazard. If you travel, empty the tank first, because airlines do not allow torch lighters in carry-on or checked baggage.
Choosing a Torch
15. What makes a good torch?
A refillable metal body rather than disposable plastic, a stable base, an adjustable flame, and a flame lock if you heat for long stretches. Check the fill valve is a standard size.
Scorch Torch is what we stock most of because it holds up to daily use without costing much. Our Scorch Torch versus Newport Zero comparison covers the main alternative, and our top Scorch Torch lighters roundup covers the range. Budget options sit in torch lighters under $20.
16. Is a plasma or arc lighter a substitute?
Not for dabbing. Arc lighters are rechargeable and windproof, and useful for lighting bowls, but they do not produce anything close to the heat quartz needs.
They are an alternative to a normal lighter, not to a torch. We set out where each fits in jet flame torches versus plasma arc lighters.
Buying From SmokeMEGA
17. What do I get when I order a torch?
All torches in our Scorch Torch collection are refillable and ship free on orders over $14.99 from our US warehouse. Spend over $30 and we add a free surprise gift.
Returns run 14 days with no restocking fee and no return postage. Torches ship empty, since butane cannot be shipped, so pick up a can of refined butane locally before your first use.