A Clipper is filled with butane lighter gas from below via the valve: hold the lighter upside down, place the nozzle of the gas canister vertically on the valve, press firmly for a few seconds and then wait briefly. To change the flint, pull the ignition unit out of the top of the lighter – you either replace it completely as a flint system or just the flint inside it.
Which gas do I need for a Clipper?
You need butane lighter gas, not lighter fluid as used for windproof lighters. Clipper recommends its own gas; other lighter gases generally work too, as long as the nozzle fits the valve. Many gas canisters come with adapters for different valves for this purpose.
How do I refill a Clipper step by step?
All you need is two minutes and a well-ventilated spot, ideally by an open window or outdoors.
- Choose your spot: Ventilate well. No naked flame, candle, cigarette or other source of ignition nearby, and not next to a cooker or radiator.
- Prepare the lighter: Do not fill it straight after prolonged use – the lighter should be at room temperature. Remove any case first.
- Prepare the gas canister: If necessary, fit the right adapter onto the nozzle. Read and follow the instructions on the gas canister.
- Turn the Clipper over: Hold the lighter upside down so that the filling valve in the base points upwards.
- Fill with gas: Turn the gas canister upside down as well, place the nozzle vertically and centrally on the valve and press firmly. How long depends on the gas canister, so follow the instructions on the canister. As a rule of thumb, several short bursts of a few seconds are better than one long one.
- Stop in time: Stop as soon as gas escapes at the side of the valve or you can see through the casing that the tank is full.
- Wait: Wait a few minutes until any escaped gas has dispersed and the lighter is back at room temperature.
- Test: Only then light it, keeping it away from your face, hair and clothing. The flame should burn steadily and at its normal height.
Butane is heavier than air and collects at floor level. That is why ventilation is more important than it sounds. Incidentally, Clipper pocket lighters do not have flame adjustment: the flame height is fixed at the factory, on the Classic just as on the Jet Flame.
Out of gas or worn-out flint – how can I tell?
If you hear no hissing when you press the gas button, the gas has run out; if it hisses but there are hardly any sparks, the flint is used up.
| Symptom | Cause | Solution and spare part |
|---|---|---|
| Sparks, but no hissing and no flame | Tank empty | Refill as described above |
| Hissing, but few or no sparks | Flint used up | Change the flint: Clipper Universal Replacement Flints (9 pieces) |
| Wheel is stiff or slips, sparks stay weak | Flint wheel worn or spring weak | Fit a complete Clipper flint system (3-pack) |
| Only a small, flickering flame straight after filling | Gas still too cold or gas residue on the valve | Wait a few minutes, then test again |
| Hissing even without pressing, smell of gas | Valve leaking | Stop using it, keep it away from sources of ignition and dispose of it |
How do I change the flint in a Clipper?
Pull the ignition unit – the head with the flint wheel – vertically upwards out of the lighter. You then have two options.
Option A: fit a complete flint system
- Hold the Clipper upright, grip the head with the flint wheel and pull it straight up and out.
- Insert the new flint system into the slot in the same orientation until it sits flush.
- Turn the wheel a few times without pressing the gas button and check whether sparks appear.
Option B: change just the flint
- Pull out the ignition unit and turn it over so that its lower end points upwards.
- Unscrew the cap at the lower end. If it is stuck, place it in the slot at the top of the lighter casing and use that to loosen it; after that you can do it by hand. The spring comes out with the cap.
- Knock out what is left of the old flint, tapping it lightly on a hard surface if necessary.
- Drop a new flint into the tube.
- Put the spring and cap back on, push the unit back into the lighter and test it by turning the wheel.
Work over a light-coloured surface, as the spring and cap are small. These instructions apply to the Clipper Classic; the construction of Metal and Jet Flame models may differ.
Complete flint system or single flint – which makes more sense?
If only the flint is used up, a single flint is enough; if the flint wheel is also worn, choose the complete flint system.
The flint system replaces the entire ignition unit and can be changed in a few seconds – ideal if you do not want to fiddle about. The Universal Replacement Flints come in packs of nine and are cheaper per piece, but need the few steps from Option B. That is why many people keep both in the drawer: flints for a normal change, and a flint system for when the wheel starts to wear.
Does this apply to all Clipper models?
For classic standard-size Clippers, yes; there are differences with some models.
- Clipper Classic: Plastic casing, refillable, flint system and flints fit – for example our Clipper “I ♥ HOF”.
- Clipper Metal: Metal casing in Classic format, refillable according to the product information and with a replaceable flint, such as the Clipper Metal Icy.
- Clipper Jet Flame: Jet flame instead of an open flame, also refillable and with flint wheel ignition, for example the Jet Flame Mazed Leaves. The construction of the head differs from the Classic, and the standard flint system is not listed for the Jet Flame. For spare parts, it is best to ask in the shop.
- Clipper Micro: Smaller and narrower than the Classic. The flint system in the 3-pack does not fit here; the Micro needs its own Micro flint system.
If your Clipper sits in a case such as our walnut wood case, simply take it out to refill it.
Common mistakes: what often goes wrong when refilling?
- Nozzle placed at an angle: The gas goes past the valve instead of into the tank. Always hold the nozzle and lighter vertically.
- Clipper not turned upside down: Only upside down, with the valve pointing upwards, does the gas flow cleanly into the tank.
- Filling a warm lighter: Straight after prolonged use, less gas goes in. Let it cool down first.
- Lighting it immediately: Gas residue on the valve needs a few minutes to disperse.
- Filling next to a flame or in a small, unventilated room: Always ventilate, and never fill next to a candle, cooker or cigarette.
- Overfilling: When gas escapes at the side, the tank is full – pressing further achieves nothing.
- Wrong spare part: The flint system for standard Clippers does not fit the Micro.
In our shop at Lorenzstraße 9 in Hof, we can show you how to change the flint system and flint, and advise you on which spare part suits your Clipper. You will find all models online in the Clipper collection, and more lighters under Lighters.
