Lifesystems Plasma Lighter

Tiny 118gm, 94x34x15mm, electric plasma (spark), fire starter. No messy chemical fuel, just a micro USB charged lithium-ion battery.

For years I have had to carry backup lighters for my gas camping stoves. I have tried to use piezo igniters from reputable brands but these have always failed—sometimes quickly. These failures required backup chemical (BBQ) lighters.

My present best stove is a Soto Windmaster, which has its own, so far very reliable, piezo starter. However from past experiences I think it is possible that it will eventually fail? So I recently switched from my BIC BBQ liquid fuelled backup starter to this: the Lifesystems Plasma Lighter. It is smaller and lighter than my liquid-fueled BIC BBQ lighter and importantly it doesn’t require any possibly spillable liquid fuel.

It has a simple micro-USB rechargeable, battery powered, electric arc starter. No chemicals to run out, just a rechargeable battery. It can be locked so it will not fire accidentally. It has a telescopic starter electrode assembly which keeps your fingers away from burning gas. It can start, appropriately set up, wood fires—but I have not tried this. I only use gas stoves on my camping trips.

The only negative I have seen with this device is that the charging indicator light is hard to see in daylight. This is now an absolutely essential part of my camping kit. I highly recommend this to every back country camper.

https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/plasma-lighter

Background

Lots of piezo starters have failed. This just works! It is smaller and lighter than my liquid-fueled BBQ starters of the past.