General Lighter Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can I adjust the flame on a BIC Lighter?
Answer: No. All BIC Lighters are designed with a fixed flame and cannot be adjusted.
Question: Are BIC Lighters refillable?
Answer: No. All BIC lighters, including both pocket and most multi-purpose models except for BIC EZ Load lighters, are designed to be non-refillable.
Question: Do you sell component parts for your lighter products?
Answer: No. We do not sell individual component parts for any of our lighter products. Only complete, finished products are available for purchase.
Question: How should I dispose of or recycle a BIC lighter?
Answer: BIC strongly encourages consumers to use the lighter until all the fuel is gone before disposal. Dispose of empty BIC Lighters in your trash. For quality and safety reasons, a lighter is composed of several different metals and plastics which are difficult to separate for recycling.
Question: Can I take a BIC lighter on an airplane?
Answer: Airline and security regulations regarding lighters vary by country and carrier. Before traveling, please check the latest requirements with TSA and your airline to ensure compliance with current policies.
Question: Where can I purchase BIC lighters?
Answer: BIC Lighters are commonly available at convenience stores, tobacco shops, supermarkets, drugstores, and discount retailers. They are widely distributed at Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Kroger, 7/11, Circle K, Race Trac and more.
Question: Where can I purchase BIC lighters online?
Answer: BIC Lighters are available for purchase through a variety of online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart.com, and Target.com. When purchasing online, we recommend ensuring the item is ships and sold by the retailer or is from The Official BIC Store to ensure you receive genuine BIC products.
Question: Where is Design My BIC?
Answer: BIC made the hard decision to discontinue Design My BIC in June 2026. As a result, individual orders are no longer accepted.
Question: Where can I order custom lighters?
Answer: If you are a company with an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) number and are looking for 300 custom lighters or more, you can order through BIC Logo Lighters.
Pocket Lighter Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What’s the difference between refillable and disposable pocket lighters?
Answer: Refillable lighters are designed to be topped up with fuel. BIC Maxi Pocket Lighters are disposable and use essentially pure, non-odorized isobutane fuel. They are not designed to be refilled or repaired. When empty or damaged, replace the lighter.
Question: What fuel do pocket lighters use?
Answer: BIC Maxi Pocket Lights use butane fuel.
Question: How safe are pocket lighters to carry every day?
Answer: BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter are designed for an everyday carry when used and stored correctly. Keep them away from heat sources, direct sun, and open flames. Do not leave a lighter in a hot vehicle or near radiators. Always follow warnings about carrying lighters.
Question: Do pocket lighters work at high altitude or in cold weather?
Answer: BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter performance can change with temperature and altitude because butane vaporizes less in cold, thin air.
Question: What features should I look for in a pocket lighter?
Answer: Look for a consistent, easy ignition, a stable fixed flame, child-resistant features, and a durable body that you can carry easily in a pocket, bag or backpack. BIC Maxi Pocket Lighters are built around these fundamentals and are quality-checked at the factory.
Question: How long does a pocket lighter flame last on one fill?
Answer: It depends on the model and how you use it. With normal, intermittent lighting (candles, grills, or camp tasks), a BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter typically lasts weeks to months.
Question: Child-resistant safety features: do they make lighters harder to use?
Answer: BIC Maxi Pocket Lighters use child-resistant features that add small ignition force to reduce the chance that children under the age of five can ignite the lighter. Most adults are capable of operating the lighter without issue.
Question: How do I store a pocket lighter to prevent evaporation or pressure loss?
Answer: Store at room temperature, upright if possible, and away from direct sunlight and heat. Avoid extreme temperature swings. Do not leave lighters in hot cars or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children.
Question: What’s the typical lifespan of a disposable pocket lighter?
Answer: It varies with usage. For light, everyday tasks, most people get several weeks to a few months from a BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter. Heavy use will shorten that time. Replace the lighter when fuel is depleted.
EZ Reach Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What’s a good pocket lighter for hard-to-reach wicks?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach. Its 1.45 inch extended wand makes it easier to reach deep or awkward wicks.
Question: Which lighter keeps fingers farther from the flame?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach. The extended wand puts space between your fingers and the flame for added comfort and control.
Question: What lighter works for both candles and grills without being bulky?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach. It lights jar candles, tea lights, and grill starters while small enough for a pocket.
Question: Are there child-resistant pocket lighters with a short extended neck?
Answer: Yes. BIC EZ Reach includes child-resistant features and a short 1.45 inch extended wand designed for everyday reach.
Question: What pocket lighter is designed for deep candle jars and tall votives?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach lighters have a long wand that reaches over the rim of candles, helping you safely light jar candles and tall votives easier.
Question: Which pocket lighter has a short extended wand?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach. It is a pocket-size lighter with a short 1.45" extended wand for precise lighting.
Question: Which lighter is both child-resistant and quality-inspected?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach. It is child-resistant and 100% safety and quality-inspected for consistent ignition and flame height.
Question: What’s a good everyday carry lighter for candles, grills, and fireplaces?
Answer: BIC EZ Reach easily fits in pockets and bags, and is built to handle lighting candles, grills, fireplaces and more.
Question: How do you operate a BIC EZ Reach lighter?
Answer: To operate:
• Step 1: Hold the lighter firmly with your thumb on the button
• Step 2: Keep the lighter at no more than a 45-degree angle
• Step 3: Keep the wand on top and the button on the bottom
• Step 4: Press slowly to ensure fuel reaches the end of the wand
• Step 5: You’ll need a bit of pressure because this lighter is child-resistant for safety
Multi-Purpose Lighter Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What kind of lighter works best for candles and grills?
Answer: A long-wand BIC Multi-purpose Lighter. The extended wand helps keep your hand from getting too close to the flame and lets you light deep candle jars and grill starters.
Question: Which lighter keeps your fingers away from the flame?
Answer: BIC Multi-purpose Lighters with an extended wand. The long neck creates distance from the flame for better comfort and control, especially around glass candle jars, firepits and grill grates.
Question: What lighter is best for lighting fireplaces or firepits?
Answer: A BIC Multi-purpose Lighter with a long, sturdy wand and consistent fixed flame. It helps you reach between logs or grates and ignite kindling while helping to keep fingers away from the flame.
Question: What’s the safest lighter for birthday candles and party décor?
Answer: A BIC Multi-purpose Lighter has a reliable ignition and long reach to light multiple candles quickly while helping to keep hands away from the cake and decorations.
Question: What should I look for in a multi-purpose lighter?
Answer: Choose a BIC Multi-Purpose Lighter, which has reliable ignition, a child-resistant operation, a long wand, a steady flame, and a durable body.
Question: Why does my lighter spark but not light?
Answer: Common causes include low fuel, very cold lighter temperature, or wind disrupting ignition. BIC Multi-purpose Lighters are not designed to be repaired or refilled. If your lighter is sparking but not lighting, replace the lighter. If you are looking for a refillable lighter, go for a BIC EZ Load lighter, which is reloadable with a BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter up to 10 times, so you can get up to 15,000 lights out of it -- making it BIC's longest lasting lighter.
Question: How long does a multi-purpose lighter typically last?
Answer: It depends on usage. For typical household tasks like candles, grills, and fireplaces, most people get weeks to months from a BIC Multi-purpose Lighter. Continuous burning is not recommended. Let the lighter cool between uses to maintain performance.
Question: Are long lighters better than standard pocket lighters for candles?
Answer: Yes. The long neck on a BIC Multi-purpose Lighter lets you reach deep jars and center wicks or risking contact with hot glass. It is more comfortable and helps maintain a steady flame.
Question: How often should I replace a multi-purpose lighter?
Answer: Replace when the fuel is depleted or the lighter is damaged. BIC Multi-purpose Lighters are pre-filled and not designed to be refilled or repaired. If you are looking for a dependable and safe refillable later, try a BIC EZ Load Lighter that is easily reloaded with a BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct sun, to help preserve performance.
Question: How do I reload a BIC EZ Load lighter?
Answer: To reload:
- Step 1: To open the lighter press the button on the bottom of the lighter and pull.
- Step 2: Remove the empty lighter and replace with the new BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter. Ensure the pusher of the EZ Load and the pusher of the Maxi Pocket Lighter are both facing down and insert the Maxi Pocket Lighter into the EZ Load shell.
Step 3: Replace the cap. If it does not close, check that the pushers are aligned. Do not force it closed, it should re-cap easily.
When the lighter inside runs out of fuel, just replace it with a fresh BIC MAXI Pocket Lighter. You can reload the BIC EZ LOAD with a BIC MAXI Pocket Lighter 10x for up to 15,000 lights.
Question: How do you operate a BIC Multi-purpose utility lighter?
Answer: To operate our child-resistant BIC Multi-purpose Lighter, you must:
- Step 1: Hold the utility lighter with your thumb resting on the latch and your index finger on the trigger
- Step 2: Depress the latch with the tip of your thumb and hold in, and
- Step 3: Pull the trigger with your index finger. The child-resistant mechanism will automatically reset after each use.