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I'm quite happy lighting a liquid fuel stove like a Primus with a BIC lighter but that's a little too burny for my wife. Matches are horribly random in whether or not they will actually decide to light on that day or whether you have a whole pack of duds. Anyone got any recommendations for something lightweight and functional that doesn't require having your hand too close to the burny parts when it all kicks off?
I use this to light gas https://www.msrgear.com/ie/stoves/stove-accessories/msr-piezo-igniter-for-canister-stoves/06930.html
yep, saw those but I think they only work with gas unfortunately :(. First time I saw them I thought they looked perfect but then i saw it was only the piezo part and they didn't produce any flame
You only need the spark from the bic to light gas stoves, so you could just use an empty one if it'll make your wife happier?
I tend to use a LightMyFire steel & flint which is uper reliable, even works when it's wet and you don't need to be that close to the flame with practice.
Edit: whoops, just re-read the bit about liquid gas - just use a bic lighter, it's the best way. If you're worried about it flaring up, just don't use too much fuel when priming. With my MSR Dragonfly I don't let it get more than a couple of inches high.
https://www.blacks.co.uk/15893541/quest-clipper-tube-gas-lighter-15893541/?
Keeps fingers away from hot bit!
These
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Angled-Lighter-Windproof-Jet-Flame/dp/B01EBIOF3E/
Your fingers are further from the flame and, as it shoots out sideways, you don't need to get so close either.
you get a shorter long nosed lighter like the above.
https://www.bicworld.com/en/bic-introduces-new-ez-reach-lighter
there are older versions. work well for firing up the trangia
PErsonally i kust like long matches not so much for safety more becase it give you enough time to light it
Rub two sticks together ?.
You could use a welding spark lighter.
Come on this STW there’s only one way
Soto pocket torch. Ace for lighting things - meths, multi fuel stoves, gas stoves, open fires
If you’re worried about it flaring up, just don’t use too much fuel when priming
Is a smart move
Can't see what longdog and scotsroutes posted. Just comes up with a 'free preview' button that does nothing 🙁
Those easyreach lighters (can't bring myself to spell that with a z) look like a great solution. Didn't know they existed, thanks
Unbranded MATCHSTICK LIGHTER 18CM. https://amzn.eu/d/1Bzk6Hj
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Fire steel reliably lights my msr whisperlite with liquid fuel.
Won't light my meth stove though
Plenty of lighter suggestions so I wont add to that.
I use waterproof "storm" matches on occasion, extremely reliable but a much more limited number of strikes compared to a gas or flint/steel lighter.
Theyre what I use if I dont want any faff at all and just want the damn thing lit immediately regardless of environmental condition, although thats usually with a meths stove where id just drop the match straight into the burner. Matches tend to be a decent size for distance to flame with a gas stove.
I use waterproof “storm” matches on occasion, extremely reliable but a much more limited number of strikes compared to a gas or flint/steel lighter.
I Was wondering about those for backup. Normal 'safety' matches seem safe because they just don't light. I think the problem is that one of the chemicals is on the striking surface of the box and if that gets even slightly damp then they just don't work. You need to have the box in a ziplock and only pick it up with dry hands
My post was just one of those long nose gas lighters as was scotroutes, I can see both here.
Matches do get soggy easily unless those stormproof ones, but I used to dip no-safery ones in wax for striking on other things. Not even sure if you can get no-safery matches anymore?
I normally just use matches or a normal lighter, though have used a Ferro rod for meths. Can't remember the last time I used a petrol/parafin stove/lamp, maybe 40 years ago!
Keep the Matchbox in a plastic bag? I can't help thinking you're, er, overthinking.
Keep the Matchbox in a plastic bag? I can’t help thinking you’re, er, overthinking.
Possibly, but it's to solve the problem of safety matches not lighting. They do seem incredibly unreliable and I was wondering if it was due to the box getting damp as one of the chemicals is on the outside of the box with safety matches I believe. Or I could just buy fancy ass matches.
Edit:and yes, I do tend to overthink things :).
I normally just use matches or a normal lighter, though have used a Ferro rod for meths
Yeah your right I'm wrong .....it does work but i found unreliably unless summer. If the meths is cold then the steel does not play ball 🙁
I've always used a bog standard lighter.
The other issue I have had with a steel is it dissolving!
A tip with matches is to try to keep the match still where you want it and move the striker. Then if the flame goes out quickly it will be it the right place and better chance of lighting what you want. (Not perfect but better!)
it’s to solve the problem of safety matches not lighting. They do seem incredibly unreliable
Not my experience of use by 10-14 year old Scouts, who seem to manage fine, as long as they're kept dry. A sandwich bag is your friend.
I use the same sort of thing as Scotroutes - also good for lighting blow torches etc.
The other issue I have had with a steel is it dissolving!
Where have you been storing it ?
Ours is donkeys old (light my fire. Brand) and it still looks like new.
It does mostly live in our msr kitchen box though which is dry.
BIC lighter and if struggling, use that to light a scrap of paper or card, or some dry grass and use that on the stove.
I use one of those long handled gas lighters for cookers, because I don't like getting my hand too close to the gas flame! But then I car camp not hike so don't need to worry about space or weight.
as long as they’re kept dry. A sandwich bag is your friend
Thats pretty much exactly what I was thinking. The boxes I have at home where the matches don't really work any more are all a bit ratty. I suspect they may have got damp at some point
I use one of those long handled gas lighters for cookers, because I don’t like getting my hand too close to the gas flame
At home that's exactly what I do as well. I'd love to find a good one of those but that's another thread...
The Soto pocket torch I recommended above is a long handled lighter and a normal one. It extends out. No more burns. Not the cheapest thing but really very reliable. I used to have a PB207, the original jet lighter that everyone copied, and I'd rate this as more use than that
One of these?
Works a treat with my Trangia as well, provided you get the "sparks" to land in the meths.
Much more satisfying to use than a lighter or matches.
I use a steel like the one above but some generic brand, they'll light gas or meths from almost a foot away and work even when wet. Is there a reason they don't work on a pressurized liquid stove? Can't be any worse than any other method.
I found Clipper Minitube available at my local temple of tat and bad taste, Poundland.
https://clipperofficial.com/us/our-range/utility-lighters/minitube
If you're struggling with a steel and meths put a bit of tumble dryer lint on top, goes up a treat.
Is there a reason they don’t work on a pressurized liquid stove? Can’t be any worse than any other method
They work very well on my MSR, using 'petrol' type fuels. I don't remember failing to light any kind of stove since I started using them.
Where have you been storing it ?
Oh aye totally my bad, i left it in a pot that wasn't as dry as i thought.
just pointing it out that they aren't necesarily fully reliable