Confession

[Ammonite]

For years I've been carrying around a can of lighter fuel to keep the gas lighter I use to light the cooker topped up. I've even read at least one report on here saying how dangerous this type of lighter is on a boat, even if it does have a lock, and that matches were much safer, so have made sure it is kept where it can't be accidently switched on.

No idea why it hasn't occurred to me before but have just realised what a waste of time this is. The spark these lighters produce will light the gas just as easily as a flame (and I can use matches for the handful of BBQs we have each year)

Am I the only idiot? Come on, be honest And no excuses about using the lighter to melt the end of ropes!

 

[MoodySabre]

Use a Pezzo lighter for the cooker. Saves the hairs on your hand getting singed.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I can't see why they should be regarded as particularly dangerous. My problem it the things is that they never seem to last more than a few months. We just use the spark because we can rarely get a flame out of the things.

 

[Easticks28]

I can't see why they should be regarded as particularly dangerous.

+1
And have you ever tried sealing a rope end with a match?
Store the gas lighter in a safe place - no problem. Mine is kept on a hook installed for the purpose adjacent to, but a safe distance from the cooker.

 

[nigelmercier]

I use a Clipper Utility Lighter, which works fine if it's out of gas.
They are the only ones that have lasted more than a month, close to a year now: http://amzn.to/1jQkvdv

 

[sailaboutvic]

Mine run out of gas three years ago , and it still lights the cooker

 

[PhillM]

I can't see why they should be regarded as particularly dangerous.

I keep a couple on board. I find that I need a flame to light the meths. I don't tend to keep a can of fuel for them.
They both live in the cutlery draw and ive never seen any sign that they would go off unaided. What am I missing?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Am I the only idiot? Come on, be honest And no excuses about using the lighter to melt the end of ropes!

It took me two years to discover that twisting the knob on the end of my gas match turned the flame on and off.

 

[prv]

I bought three on ebay because they were so cheap - I assumed they'd quickly stop working and I'd need the spares. First one is still going after a year and shows no signs of failing. I have dissected it and removed the "safety catch" because it was annoying.

I also have a gas-operated soldering iron in the electrical toolbox, and one of those mini-blowtorch-style lighters in the bosun's bag for applying a butane whipping.

I do wish the cooker manufacturers had bothered to built a piezo igniter into it, though. In every other respect it's the best standard yacht cooker going; self-ignition would make it perfect.

Pete

 

[Ammonite]

I keep a couple on board. I find that I need a flame to light the meths. I don't tend to keep a can of fuel for them.
They both live in the cutlery draw and ive never seen any sign that they would go off unaided. What am I missing?

I don't think they are inherently dangerous either although I seem to recall the poster saying that something had pushed against it and it had fired. Put a 2 year and 6 year old on board who can open cutlery drawers and its a different story!

Anyway my post wasn't about safety - just the total waste of time keeping it topped up with fuel if you have a gas cooker (barring those that don't have a spare or gas powered soldering iron / rope sealer that can be hidden away for the rare occasions its needed!)

 

[JumbleDuck]

Anyway my post wasn't about safety - just the total waste of time keeping it topped up with fuel if you have a gas cooker (barring those that don't have a spare or gas powered soldering iron / rope sealer that can be hidden away for the rare occasions its needed!)

It's much easier to light the oven on my cooker (Techimpex) with the gas match than with a simple spark.

 

[rob2]

My last cooker required a match to light it so I used one of the long nosed type to reach (especially oven and grill). When it ran out I also found that the spark was quite sufficient, but I still keep it hanging in the galley as the new cooker's self ignition is dependant on a battery. The gas soldering iron/rope cutter comes home from time to time for a refill, usually after its seen a bit of use. Last time was after I'd made up some new mooring warps. Should it run out, I can light the stove and seal the ropes over the burner.

Rob.