How to Use a Bic Lighter

https://www.wikihow.it/Usare-un-Accendino-Bic

06-09-2024 |
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Lighting a Bic lighter with a quick click is quite simple once you learn the correct execution.Use your thumb to quickly turn the gear wheel down in the direction of the red button, then press and hold the button to release the throttle.When you click the wheel you get a lot of sparks which, when in contact with the fuel, ignite the flame.Aim to have the flame instantly in one quick, smooth motion, then hold down the button to keep it lit.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Take the shot

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1
Hold the lighter with your lead hand, holding it vertically. Curl your fingers around the stem, squeezing it firmly;then place your thumb on the red button so that the tip of your thumb touches the metal wheel.You may need to try different thumb angles before finding the optimal one.^{[1]
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- The red button is the control that controls the release of gas from the tank.
- Hold the lighter just over an inch below the metal part:this will become very hot when the flame is lit and if your finger is very close you risk burning yourself.
2
Quickly roll the wheel down, moving your finger in the direction of the power button. Use your thumb and apply some force to the wheel as you move it to create the spark.If you make a quick and decisive enough movement you will hear the characteristic clicking noise and the flame will materialize at the top of the lighter.
- The sparks are not always visible, because they are generated inside the metal cage.
3
Press and hold the gas button to keep the flame lit. After clicking the wheel your thumb should be resting securely on the red button.Continuing to press it will maintain a constant flow of gas from the tank to the outside, fueling the combustion and ensuring that the lighter does not go out.The moment you release it, however, the flame will stop burning instantly.
- Do not keep the flame active for more than 30 seconds in a row;stop the gas flow as soon as you finish lighting the object of your choice:the metal cage heats up very quickly and you risk getting burns.
- If you want to optimize the life of your lighter's charge, you should avoid keeping the fire lit longer than necessary.Almost all lighters have a flint made to be more durable than gas during normal use, so it would be better to turn the lighter off and on again rather than continue to let it burn between consecutive uses (for example when you have to light many candles).It is unlikely that the flint will stop producing sparks before the gas tank is empty.Once the fuel charge is used up, the lighter becomes unusable (unless it is a rechargeable model).
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Understanding the Mechanism

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This part is responsible for creating the flame:when you rotate it with a quick movement of the thumb it acts on a piece of flint, generating sparks that cause the combustion of the gas and the ignition of the flame.
The red button, when used, opens the gas flow control valve.To light the flame you will then have to turn the wheel, causing the sparks, and hold down the button at the same time.
When you move the wheel you cause a spark, while pressing the red button makes the fuel flow out.By performing both actions at the same time, the sparks ignite the gas, causing a flame to be generated from the hole at the top of the lighter;this then continues to burn until you release the power button.

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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1
Keep trying. If you are using a newly purchased lighter (or one that hasn't been used much) the problem is probably in your technique and not in some malfunction of the object.Check the position of your fingers;make sure you operate the wheel with enough force and speed to generate sparks;avoid releasing the red button too soon, instead keeping it pressed securely.
- A Bic lighter should work even in light wind or rain.If in these cases you still have problems lighting it quickly you could protect the top of the object by bending your free hand around it (or in another similar way) to protect it from gusts of wind, so as to prevent the flame from going out .
Consider whether this is the case remove the security band. In this way the lighter will no longer be child-proof but will become easier to use, because you will no longer need a lot of force to create sufficiently vigorous sparks.Many people have the habit of immediately modifying the newly purchased item.
3
Check the gas level. If you can't get a flame at all, check to make sure there's enough fuel in the tank.In the case of a transparent lighter you will not have problems, while the opaque models must be placed in front of a rather strong light source.An alternative method, especially useful for black or very dark colored lighters, is to check that you can hear the noise of the gas coming out:hold the top of the lighter a short distance from your ear and press just the red button a few times, being careful not to touch the wheel to avoid setting your hair on fire.If the lighter is empty you shouldn't hear any noise, while if it still has enough gas it will create a rather recognizable hiss.
- If the tank is empty, throw away the lighter — disposable models are not made to be refilled.
- A standard size Bic should give you up to 3000 starts before running out of battery.^{[2]
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4
Check the condition of the ignition mechanism. If the lighter still has enough gas, but still doesn't produce any flame, there may be a problem with the flint:cheaper examples or models used rather intensively struggle to ignite because the sparks are no longer vigorous enough to ignite the gas instantly.
- If you can still produce sparks you could try by pressing the wheel all the way down and spinning it slowly, scraping off some of the flint.When you then operate at full speed to light the flame, the friction should also make these already eroded parts incandescent, increasing the power of the spark and causing the start of combustion.But be careful:the stone fragments could fly out of the cage and land on you, your clothes or your skin;the chances of getting burned or damaging your clothing are very low, but still worth keeping in mind.
- If you can't produce sparks but the tank is still full, you can use a second lighter (perhaps an empty one):bring the tops of the two objects together, let the gas escape from the first and use the wheel of the other to create the sparks, which will light the flame of the first.
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Advice

Protect the lighter from gusts of air:Bics are not windproof.First check where the wind is coming from, for example using the tip of a finger moistened with saliva and exposing it to the air;Once this is done, turn so that your back is to the direction of the wind, or cover the tip of the object with one hand.
Place the objects to be lit in contact with the top of the flame:for combustion the presence of oxygen is necessary, which is absent in the centre.
Make sure you are old enough to buy a lighter.You can buy them at tobacconists, supermarkets and other general stores, but depending on the country you are in you may need to be at least 16 or 18 years old.
Once you have achieved a good level of confidence with the quick ignition procedure for these lighters, you will also be able to carry out some nice tricks.Search YouTube for videos to learn, but be very careful:Playing with fire is always dangerous.

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Warnings

Be careful about the "numbers" you decide to make:not all those that are presented as "safe" on YouTube really are, so carefully consider the advice in the various videos.
Never hold a lighter by the metal cage after using it:you could burn your fingers^{[3]
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