How to Use and Refill a Jet Lighter for Your Bong
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The lighter you use plays a bigger role than most people expect. For many bong users across Australia, jet lighters are the go-to choice because they burn hotter and hold their flame in a way standard disposables simply cannot match.
To help you get the most out of yours, this guide covers how a butane torch lighter works, how to use it on your bong and how to keep it refilled and in good shape.
How a Jet Lighter Flame Works
A jet lighter pushes pressurised butane gas through a narrow nozzle, where it mixes with air just before ignition. What you get is a focused blue jet flame that burns at temperatures of up to 1,300°C, far hotter than a standard flame lighter. It also holds its direction, so you can point it straight down into your bong cone without the flame curling back toward your hand.
Most jet lighters have an adjustable flame size, so you can increase or reduce the intensity depending on what you're lighting. A smaller flame works well for a lightly packed cone piece, while a stronger flame gets a larger bowl burning more evenly.
Jet Lighter vs. Regular Lighter for Bongs
The main difference between a jet and a regular lighter comes down to how the flame behaves.
A standard disposable produces a soft flame that moves easily with airflow, so when you inhale through a bong, the suction pulls it sideways before your herbs even catch. A torch lighter, on the other hand, produces a firm, focused flame that stays pointed in one direction.
Wind resistance is another key difference worth noting. Standard disposables go out quickly in even a light breeze, which gets frustrating fast if you use your bong outdoors. A butane lighter with a jet flame holds steady in those conditions. And because a jet lighter burns cleaner than most standard disposables, there’s also less residue building up on your bong over time.
Single and Double Flame Jet Lighters Explained
Not all jet lighters are the same, and the number of flames makes a practical difference to how your bowl lights up.
A single flame gives you the most control over where the heat lands, making it well-suited to smaller cone pieces where precision matters more than coverage. Most single flame models also let you adjust the flame height to fine-tune the intensity depending on how your bowl is packed.
If you have a medium-sized bowl or want something more versatile for everyday use, a double flame is worth considering. Two jets cover a wider surface area than a single flame, which means a more even light across the bowl without burning through butane too quickly.
We stock both options across our Jobon and Honest jet lighter range, so there’s something to suit most setups.
How to Use a Jet Lighter on Your Bong
Most jet lighters have a flame adjustment dial at the base. Setting it to a low or medium level before you start gives you more control over how your herbs burn, which makes the whole process a lot more straightforward.
Our experts recommend starting on a lower setting and adjusting from there. Here’s how to use the lighter:
- Pack your cone piece: Fill your cone piece with ground herbs and keep the pack loose enough so air can pull through when you inhale.
- Set the flame: Turn the flame adjustment dial to a low or medium setting before you bring the lighter near your cone piece.
- Hold the flame at a distance: Keep the tip of the flame about 1 to 2 cm away from the herbs instead of touching them directly, angling it toward the outer edge of the bowl rather than the centre. This gives you a steadier and more even burn and avoids burning through your herbs too quickly.
- Rotate as you inhale: As you draw, move the lighter slowly in a small circle around the edge of the cone piece to spread the heat evenly across the herbs.
- Clear the chamber: Once the chamber fills with smoke, pull the cone piece out of the stem and take a full inhale to clear it. If your bong has a carb hole, simply lift your finger from the hole instead.
How to Refill a Jet Lighter
Refilling a jet lighter is easier than most people think. The two most common mistakes are using low-grade butane, which contains impurities that clog the nozzle, and skipping the purge step before refilling, which leaves trapped air bubbles that affect the flame.
To get the best results, always work in a well-ventilated area, keep the lighter away from open flames and use high-quality butane every time. Both Jobon and Honest lighters from My Bong Shop are fully refillable and built to last.
If you have just bought a Jobon jet lighter, note that it comes without gas, so you’ll need to fill it before first use. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Release the old gas: Press the refill valve at the base with a small screwdriver and hold it until the hissing sound stops. This clears out trapped air and old gas before you refill.
- Flip the lighter upside down: Always hold the lighter upside down when refilling. This stops air from getting into the fuel tank and prevents ignition issues.
- Connect the butane: Press the nozzle of your butane canister firmly into the refill valve and hold for around 5 to 10 seconds. Stop as soon as you feel resistance or notice butane escaping from the valve.
- Let it settle: Set the lighter down and wait at least 5 minutes before lighting it. This gives the butane time to stabilise and return to room temperature.
- Test and adjust: Start with the flame adjuster at its lowest setting, press the ignition, then gradually turn the dial up to your preferred height.
Jet Lighter Maintenance Tips
Always use high-quality butane when you refill, as low-grade options leave behind residue that clogs the nozzle over time. Every few weeks, give the nozzle a short burst of compressed air to clear any build-up.
Try to refill before the lighter runs completely empty, and store it upright away from direct heat. In the Australian climate, leaving a lighter in a hot car can cause pressure to build up inside the fuel tank.
If your lighter starts misfiring or producing a weak or orange flame, it usually comes down to a clogged nozzle, trapped air or low-grade butane. A quick purge and refill with high-quality butane sorts out most issues.
Shop Jet Lighters at My Bong Shop
At My Bong Shop, we stock Jobon and Honest jet lighters across single and double flame options. Every lighter can be refilled with butane, so you never have to keep buying disposables. Top it up whenever it runs low, and you have a reliable, consistent flame ready to go.
Browse our range online today and get free standard shipping on orders over $75. Shop now at My Bong Shop.
