How to Bleed a Lighter

Bleeding a lighter allows air bubbles to leave the fuel chamber.

Refillable lighters occasionally may not light because of air that is trapped inside of the fuel chamber. A technique known as "bleeding" allows you to force the air out of the chamber, however. After this procedure is completed, you should be able ignite your lighter. Bleeding a lighter only takes a few seconds. Remember to take the opportunity to refill your lighter with lighter fluid once the bleeding process is complete.

Instructions

1. Hold your lighter in one hand. It should be in a vertical position. Place your thumb on the pusher at the top of the lighter. The pusher is the piece that you push down on while igniting the lighter.

2. Hold the pusher down without igniting the lighter. With most lighters, you need to roll your thumb over the wheel racket to cause ignition. Do not do this, however.

3. Allow the air to escape the lighter while holding down the pusher. You will hear a quiet spurt of air coming out from the lighter.

4. Release the pusher for a few seconds when the air stops flowing. Ensure that all of the air is released by depressing the pusher again. Keep the pusher depressed until you do not hear air flowing out of the fuel chamber.

5. Refill your lighter as instructed by the manufacturer.

Tips & Warnings

• If your lighter does not have a pusher -- it may only have a wheel racket -- locate the small button that is about the size of a pin hole on the bottom of the lighter and use a pin to press it to release the air.

• Do not aim the lighter toward your body while bleeding it; lighter fluid may escape and cause injury.

References

• TurboFlame: FAQs: How Do I Bleed Air from My TurboFlame?
• Neptune Cigar: Lighter Troubleshooting