What You Need

  • Butane gas canister (available at tobacconists, supermarkets and hardware stores)
  • A small screwdriver or pen tip (for purging)
  • Tissue or cloth
Safety firstButane is highly flammable. Work away from open flames, sparks and heat sources. Do not smoke while refilling. Work in a ventilated area. The lighter and gas canister become cold during filling — this is normal.
  1. 1

    Let the lighter cool if recently used

    A warm lighter should not be refilled — the pressure difference can cause problems. Wait at least 5 minutes after use.

  2. 2

    Turn the flame adjuster to minimum

    Find the small screw or dial on the bottom of the lighter and turn it to the lowest setting (usually marked with a – symbol or towards a smaller flame icon). This prevents the flame from being dangerously large when you first ignite it after refilling.

  3. 3

    Purge the air from the lighter

    Turn the lighter upside down. Use a small screwdriver, pen or similar to press the refill valve pin in the centre of the bottom of the lighter. Hold until the hissing completely stops — this removes old air and residual gas. Skipping this causes the lighter to work poorly after refilling.

  4. 4

    Shake the butane canister

    Shake the butane canister a few times. Keeping it upside down (nozzle pointing down), align the nozzle with the lighter's valve.

  5. 5

    Press firmly and fill for 3–5 seconds

    Press the canister nozzle straight down into the valve with firm, even pressure. Hold for 3–5 seconds. You may hear and feel butane entering. Release. Check the sight glass (if your lighter has one) — it should show liquid butane.

  6. 6

    Wait 2 minutes before using

    The butane needs to reach room temperature before the lighter works reliably. Trying to ignite immediately after filling often fails. Wait 2 minutes, then test.

If the lighter still does not work after refillingCheck the flame adjuster — it may be set too low. Check the flint is not worn out (a separate issue from butane level). Make sure you purged fully before refilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use refined butane labelled as premium or multi-refined where possible — it contains fewer impurities that can clog lighter valves over time. Standard butane from a supermarket works but may cause faster valve clogging. For premium lighters like Zippo Blu or Colibri, use the recommended refined butane.
If butane starts spraying out from around the valve or the lighter has a sight glass that shows full, stop immediately. Overfilling causes leaks and performance problems. 3–5 seconds is usually sufficient for most lighters.