The lighter principle of inflammation by rubbing or hitting can be found even in Stone Age settlement remains. To the lighterin the form known today, both methods developed – although more primitive and significantly larger than now – already 32,000 years ago. Pneumatic lighters are known from 1770 until from 1823 came with the invention Döbereiners a platinum lighter in circulation. From there on, weatherproof storm lighters were also produced, since the giving of fire out of the small boxes turned out to be awkward or impossible in wind or rain.

Structure and functions of storm lighters by device type

Storm lighters can be divided into different types, according to the nature of their filling and the type of ignition. All in all, reliable functionality is literally in all bettors.

Gas Lighter

On Gas Lighteris filled with gas. This is under high pressure in a chamber. A small amount of the gas ignites over the spark when firing. An advantage of gas lighters is that the gas supply is very long enough and the gas does not develop any smell when burned. The disadvantage of this is that the gas tank is not very durable in some models. Also, the gas in the chamber at minus degrees has too low a pressure to reliably ignite.

Lighter

The fuel in the Lighteris special lighter gasoline. A hinged frame usually covers these historically older, very durable storm lighters. Even in the strongest frost, the ignition of the gasoline succeeds effortlessly. However, some people feel the smell of combustion of the escaping gasoline as unpleasant. Also possible is a development of soot. In addition, the gasoline must be refilled more frequently than the gas in a gas lighter.

Ignition with friction wheel

As storm lighters were still used under military conditions, electrical or electronic ignitions were not yet invented. Instead, even in the modern imitation of the classic rubs a metal wheel on a flint, creating the ignition process with the necessary sparking.

Ignition on piezoelectric basis

In a piezoelectric ignition, a quartz (piezoelectric crystal) is deformed by a firing pin in the lighter against this bounces. The resulting electrical voltage creates the spark that ignites the gas.

Electronic ignition

When the electronic ignition is in the Storm Lighter when pressing the ignition button, a mini-short-circuit triggered. However, such lighters need to be used for this process batteriesbe equipped. These are also weatherproof packed as the fire part from which the flame comes.

Applications for storm lighters

Storm lighters are much more expensive than cheap disposable lighters because of their better functionality. But they are suitable for use under almost all environmental conditions. Above all, they are used outdoors, for lighting a campfire, for lighting a cigarette or for burning suitable candles. The weather hardly plays a role in reliable flame formation. Even minus degrees or strong storm does not prevent the fire giving with this special lighter. For this, the flame of the upper part is safely shielded with a windproof cap. Even rain or snow stays away from the ignition point, so there is hardly any failure of the models.

Advantages and disadvantages of storm lighters

Undoubtedly one of the invaluable advantages of storm lighters is reliability. High-quality models are also an exclusive accessory for smokers and outdoor fans in terms of design. Disadvantages are mostly model-dependent and differ as well as the different device types.

advantages

• Stormproof and weatherproof reliability when firing
• Durable accessory (petrol models last longer than gas versions on average)
• Refill easy, more necessary with gasoline lighters than with gas lighters
• Available in strong designs of nostalgic, romantic or purist design
• Technically designed for maximum user safety

disadvantage

• Gasoline lighters can develop soot and smell strong when giving fire
• Gas lighters show after a few months to years (depending on use) wear of the tanks
• High purchase price