How To Make A Long Lighter?

How To Make A Long Lighter?

How To Make A Long Lighter?

In various situations, having a long lighter can be incredibly useful. Whether you’re trying to light a candle deep in a hurricane lamp, ignite a grill safely, or reach a recessed pilot light, a long lighter can make the task much easier and safer. However, commercial long lighters can sometimes be costly or unavailable when you need them most. The good news is that you can make one yourself with just a few household items! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a long lighter.

Materials You’ll Need:

– A standard disposable lighter
– A metal or aluminum tube (an old antenna or a metal straw works great)
– A pair of pliers
– Duct tape or electrical tape

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Metal Tube

First, find a suitable metal tube. The tube should be long enough to keep your hands safely away from the flame but not too wide as to be cumbersome. An old telescoping radio antenna or a metal straw can be perfect for this project. Make sure the tube is clean and free of any debris.

Step 2: Secure the Lighter

Take your disposable lighter and ensure that it has enough fuel. If it’s nearly empty, replace it with a new one. Open the metal tube and gently insert the lighter into one end. The end of the lighter where the flame comes out should be aligned with the opening of the tube.

Step 3: Fix the Lighter in Place

Use duct tape or electrical tape to secure the lighter to the tube. Wrap the tape tightly around the lighter and the tube to ensure that the lighter doesn’t move. Make sure that the ignition button is still accessible and functional.

Step 4: Test the Lighter

Before using the lighter for any serious task, test it to ensure it works properly. Ignite the lighter to see if the flame comes out the end of the tube. If it doesn’t, adjust the positioning of the lighter within the tube and retape it if necessary.

Step 5: Safety Precautions

When using your homemade long lighter, always be cautious. Since this lighter is not commercially made, there could be risks involved. Never leave the lighter unattended, and always keep it out of reach of children. Also, ensure that the flame is completely extinguished before putting it away.

Alternative Method: Using a BBQ Skewer

If you don’t have a metal tube handy, you can use a long BBQ skewer or even a chopstick as an alternative. Here’s how:

1. **Materials**: A long BBQ skewer or chopstick, a standard lighter, and some tape.
2. **Instructions**: Tape the lighter securely to one end of the skewer or chopstick. Make sure the lighter’s flame end is aligned with the end of the skewer.
3. **Testing**: Light the lighter and check to see if it works as expected.

Creating a long lighter at home is a simple, cost-effective solution to reach those hard-to-light spots safely. With just a few household items and a little bit of ingenuity, you can extend the reach of a standard disposable lighter and accomplish your tasks with ease. Always remember to prioritize safety and to use your homemade tool responsibly. Happy lighting!