Top pick: Blazer Big Shot GT 8000
Blazer rates the Big Shot GT 8000 flame at 2,500°F (1,371°C). That heat clears a quartz banger in under a minute. The body is metal. The unit ships with a piezo igniter, an adjustable flame, and a flame lock. Blazer builds the GT 8000 in Japan.
- Flame temp: 2,500°F
- Ignition: piezo, no flint wheel
- Flame lock: yes
- Fuel: refined butane, refillable
- US price: about $60 to $80
- Warranty: limited
Who it fits: people who heat a banger several times a day. The tank lasts longer than pocket torches. The trade-off is size. It does not fit in a pocket.
best cannabis torch lighter brands
Other torch lighter brands
Vector KGM
Vector sells the Nitro 5, the Tri-Pump, and the Kingpin. Many Vector torch models carry a limited lifetime warranty. Flame styles run single, double, triple, and quad. Finishes include rubberized and metal. Prices sit between $25 and $70. Shops pick Vector when they want a mid-price torch with a warranty card in the box.
Xikar
Xikar covers its lighters with a lifetime warranty. The company repairs or replaces a failed unit. Xikar torches run single and double flame. The brand is owned by Quality Importers. Prices run $40 to $150.
Cannabis Torch Lighter Temperature Control Guide
Colibri
Colibri has made lighters since 1928. The brand sells single, triple, and quad flame torches with a slide safety. Warranty terms vary by model, so read the card before you buy. Prices run $30 to $120.
Eagle Torch
Eagle sells the cheapest working torch on most smoke shop counters. Prices run $5 to $15. Ignition is piezo, the flame adjusts, and the body is plastic with a metal neck. There is no lifetime warranty. Service life is shorter than the brands above.
How to compare torch lighters
- Ignition. Piezo needs no flint and no wheel. A flint wheel still works after the piezo fails.
- Flame count. One flame heats one banger. Three or four flames cover a wider area, which suits large bangers.
- Tank size. A larger tank means fewer refills. Pocket torches need a refill after a few sessions.
- Butane grade. Use 5x refined or higher. Camp stove butane carries heavier hydrocarbons and clogs the nozzle.
- Warranty. Lifetime terms from Vector and Xikar hold value. Budget brands carry none.
Heat and safety notes
A butane torch flame reaches about 1,300°C (2,400°F). Quartz takes that heat without damage. Most dabbers heat for 30 to 45 seconds, then wait 30 to 60 seconds before loading. The target surface temp is 500°F to 600°F. A torch left running on a table will scorch wood and melt plastic. Keep the flame away from the fuel can and your face.
Bottom line
Blazer Big Shot GT 8000 for daily use. Vector or Xikar when a warranty matters. Eagle for a backup. Skip any torch with no brand name on the body.