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Butane torches at high altitude

Satchmo

Why do they call it a Power Ranger???
Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
1,884
Location
Sailing the Seas of Cheese....
Just came back from a family vacation in Colorado. Haven't done that in years. It was nice to have the whole family together and see some sights. Mesa Verde, Black Canyon's, Great Sand Dunes national parks. Good camping a a few stoogies too!! Trip went pretty smoothly, except.... :(

I spoke up and said I had a couple of butane torches we could use for the campifres, cooking stoves, lanterns, and most importantly a few cigars. Perfect for camping right. :rolleyes: We were up at the parks, probably 7-8000 feet above sea level. I'm trying to get the fire and a smoke lite, and I am getting nothing out of my torch. I can hear the gas, but no fire. I did get it to burn for a second or two. That was it. :angry:

My engineering background thought the combination of the lower air pressure and less oxygen was the culprit. To much pressure from the butane snuffed out the flame before it could get going. When I was back at the Denver airport (5000' altitude), the torch lit right up. :thumbs:

So, these were inexpensive torches and were just not dependable (no issues since), or is there something to the altitude and torches?

Just an FYI for any other flat landers out there that may be visiting the mountains. Make sure you have some nice wooden matches for your smokes, your ol' torch may not be there for you :p
 
Years ago I had a Collibri that I thought would be perfect for skiing. Boy was I mistaken.
Then I got a dual flame Collibri with an altitude adjustment. That sucker wouldn't work on the mountain either!

-Rob
 
Butane, in my experience doesn't work well at temps below 50 degrees F.

Doc.
 
My family and I have been here on vacation for the last 20 years! :laugh:

You and AVB are both right. My office is about 7500 feet and I have a blowback problem AND issues with cold. I've had to put my lighter under my armpit for a minute or two just to get it to light. I have a Colibri single nozzle thats useless above 5500 feet or so. I have a triple nozzle cheapie that seldom fails me, even at altitude. However, even it misbehaves a bit when its full.
 
AVB? Please don't confuse me with that flippin' scotch drinking Jarhead mustang.

Doc.
 
Well, I feel better. At least it wasn't all in my head. I haven't really invested in a good lighter. I have a cheap NIBO, but it has worked well so far.

I'll have to remember to bring some matches on my next trip!! I loved Colorado, it just didn't care for my lighter.

Cheers, by brothers!!

Jason
 
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