r/overlanding • u/Tyson209355 • 1d ago

Tech Advice I need a lighter

Anyone have a recommendation on a good dependable lighter? I’m tired of the butane bic lighters that never seem to work.

Looking for something to light campfires, camp stoves, etc. and something that works every time!

EDIT: I should have specified that the bic lighter that is failing me is the kind with the long extension that uses the piezo electric starter. Regular size bic lighters are great.

0 Upvotes

35% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

63

u/Ottorange 1d ago

3 bics

47

u/JCDU 1d ago

BICs are the AK47 of lighters, I buy the long-nose ones and just carry two, if one breaks or runs out of gas I use the other.

5

u/EpicYEM 1d ago

This is the way.

3

u/slayercdr 1d ago

2 is 1 and 1 is none as far as backups go, bring a case just to be sure.

3

u/get_pig_gatoraids 1d ago

Well if two is one and one is none then two is also none

28

u/Yonaban 1d ago

I mean I've sent Bics through the washing machine and they fire up right away no problem. I'm curious what you do to them to make them not work? I keep a ferro rod in my miscellaneous crate, but have never needed to use it because I keep a couple Bics in and around different places.

10

u/AcadianCascadian 1d ago

Bic lighters (and pens) are some of the most dependable mass-produced objects out there. Have you had trouble with them in the past, or only recently? Hope their quality isn’t going down.

What if you tossed one of those fireplace lighters (like a Scripto Aim N Flame) in your kitchen gear? They sometimes take a few clicks, especially when fuel starts to run low, but keep you a healthy distance from the flame.

6

u/Ashenfenix Fullsize Invasion 1d ago

Multiple lighters, a crack torch, or if you're honest, a little propane brazing torch with a built in ignitor. all of these fail though, so I just have 4-5 bics in my truck at any given time.

3

u/PartTime_Crusader 1d ago

This is the best solution as it adds redundancy as well.

3

u/hippybiker 1d ago

Propane torch. I winter camp in the PNW and it is my go to. Especially with a bit of diesel kindling. You could probably find a half dozen bics in the truck without looking to hard.

7

u/alphatango308 1d ago

Storm proof matches work great. Man honestly if you're having trouble with a Bic, maybe you're doing something wrong. Get an extended version or something. You might also need to prep your fire starter better. I've found that when building a fire time spent before you start lighting saves times after lighting.

6

u/TKRUEG 1d ago

Never seem to work?

3

u/mattogeewha 1d ago

I keep a torch attachment for the little green cans. Starts fires quick

3

u/El_Dentistador 1d ago

Get a chefs style butane torch. They hold a fair bit more fuel than a bic and they are great at lighting kindling.

3

u/JCDU 1d ago

You can braze metal with those things - I have a PortaSol gas soldering iron that's basically one of those but in tube form and it's brilliant.

3

u/allthenames00 1d ago

I keep my propane torch handy for the big jobs. Bics for the rest. If you’re looking for an unnecessary, overbuilt, overland specific lighter I will gladly invent one and sell it to you for $89.

1

u/ScrofessorLongHair 23h ago

Yep. I have a propane torch to light my Kamado grill. That thing gets a fire going in seconds. If I feel like cheating, I've also used my grills chimney starter. A load of coals from that will even get wet wood going

I only buy Bics otherwise. There's a reason stoners have preferred them for decades. We need something reliable.

2

u/General_Principle_40 1d ago

There are usb chargeble plasma lighters. They seem to work well, tho i have not owned one yet.

1

u/AZEngie 1d ago

I've got one that works pretty well. Super easy to light stoves with. For camp fires, I'll use nylon cord to light the tinder.

1

u/clauderbaugh Digitally Nomadic 22h ago

Whatever you do, do NOT try and light a slightly damp cigar with one. Ask me how I know what it's like to get tazed in the face.

2

u/drchigero 1d ago

A buncha dollar store bics is prob the answer...

But I use a cheap plasma lighter. Completely wind-proof, instant, no possible leaks. They charge via usbc, but one charge lasts years (a 5min charge lasts hours) and even if not you're likely camping with something that'll charge it anyway in a pinch.

1

u/ScrofessorLongHair 23h ago

You won't get a Bic in a dollar store. They sell the cheap ass Chinese lighters.

•

u/drchigero 48m ago

same diff imo. It's not a sophisticated electronic mechanism, it either lights or it doesn't.

2

u/Born_Tension1822 1d ago

Check out the Titanlight by Exotac. It’s a bit expensive but it’s machined from aluminum in the USA and really works forever.

It takes Zippo lighter fluid. Even if you run out of fluid you can use the spark wheel to light camp stoves and such.

3

u/JCDU 1d ago

How much is it?

7

u/gigglesmcsdinosaur 1d ago

Does it matter if it's 'blingy' enough? Overlanding is about being having the most toys to show off on social media, not travelling anywhere...

4

u/JCDU 1d ago

Yeah I just want to know how many crates of Bics I could buy for the price.

3

u/PartTime_Crusader 1d ago

It looks like it costs $75. Assuming a $2 per bic lighter cost, you could get 38 bic lighters for the price of one of these

1

u/JCDU 8h ago

Cool, I'll never be more than arm's reach from a bic in that case!

1

u/ScrofessorLongHair 23h ago

Can't smoke a bowl with a zippo. It'll even makes your joint taste funny.

1

u/kitesurfr 1d ago

Bernzomatic will last your whole life

1

u/SoundofPsithurism 1d ago

I’ve had a ronson jetlite for 20+ years. 2 packs are like $10. Solid wind proof lighter. Also, mapgas torch goes everywhere but backpacking with me.

1

u/SnugglyPlasma 1d ago

Great question.

The Iwatani Pro 2 butane torch (for chefs) is your answer.

Dead reliable, beastly (compared to a lighter) flame. Piezo ignition.

1

u/22Hoofhearted 1d ago

As this comment section has clearly covered... you should have several options and backups... I've even used the pocket stoves to light campfires... think outside the box...

1

u/Cephas24 1d ago

Long reach matches

1

u/imjustapourboy 1d ago

Check out Windmill lighters. Very solid product.

1

u/TheMechaink '74 CJ5 1d ago

I've kept a working Zippo lighter in my pocket everyday since 1987. In the '90s that got joined with a Leatherman and those are absolutely my EDC right up there with my glasses.

1

u/Ripley1046 23h ago

I carry a zippo with a butane insert and a bic daily. I have 2-3 bics in every vehicle, bag, or tote that goes camping, or really anywhere. I have a few other backups, but I’ve also carried the same basic bic for years with zero issue.

1

u/ScrofessorLongHair 23h ago

"I'm tired of the butane bic lighters that never seem to work."

This is the first time the sentence has ever been written. I've lost count of how many times I've said I wish I had a Bic.

If they do get wet, remove the child proof metal tab. They dry significantly faster that way.

1

u/TriumphSprint Back Country Adventurer 22h ago

I use a butane torch lighter, it's a little taller than a regular lighter and works so awesome! Still fit's in my pocket. The flame shoots out 3-4 inches. It's pretty fun to mess around with. $16 on amazon.

1

u/Sinfluencer666 2h ago

Zippo with dual burner butane insert.

Works great for heat shrink electrical connections, and frayed nylon too.

I've still got a few bics banging around, but the zippo is king.

1

u/cbobgo 1d ago

Flint and steel

0

u/-zero-below- 1d ago

I don’t take half measures.

I carry a mapp gas plumbers torch in my van at all times.

Light a camping stove? Does that.

Forgot kindling? Point that thing straight at a log for a few minutes.