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I’m looking for easy ways to light camp fires (car camping) in cold weather down to -30 deg C.

Matches seem to work well, pocket lighters only work if warmed up in hands or in a pocket: Minimum temperature for pocket lighters.

What is the minimum temperature a self-lighting torch will ignite at? Such as the Bernzomatic TS4000. I asked the manufacturer, but I haven’t heard back yet.

I originally posted this question to DIY SE, but it was voted to be closed. https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/312020/self-lighting-propane-torch-in-cold-weather?noredirect=1#comment664050_312020

WedaPashi
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User1974
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2 Answers2

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The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest temperature at which it can release enough vapor to ignite when mixed with air and an adequate external heat source.

The flash point of propane is -156°F (-104°C)

The flash point of MAP-Pro is -162°F (-108°C)

Note: "MAPP" gas was a trademarked fuel originally created by Union Carbide (now defunct). The MAP/MAPP/MAAP fuels available now have various mixtures of chemicals with different flash points.

Note: the vapor pressure of a liquid is proportional to temperature, so the design of any given torch (or pocket lighter if your talking about butane) would possibly be a limiting factor regardless of flash point, as the torch might need a certain vapor pressure to function. Follow torch manufacturers' advice to be certain.

Jimmy Fix-it
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Here’s what Benzomatic said by email:

The TS4000 torch is designed to ignite at temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C), provided that the fuel (propane or MAP-Pro) is functioning properly under those conditions.

User1974
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