Did I buy a lemon?

I bought a thermacell and used it a few times last summer. It works good WHEN I can get it lit. I had to click it many times to get it to light.
Fast forward to deer season. I'm hunting and the skeeters are thick so I take my thermacell. I typically have to click it as many as 40 or so times to get it to light. One evening I clicked it over 100 times. (I counted!). I stopped using it. I tried shaking it (like a bic lighter) I even removed the gas cartridge and rubbed it to warm it up. I tried a new cartride. Same results. I tucked it inside my shirt and let the gas build up b/4 each click. I could here a pop when the gas ignited but it wouldn't light.

How many times do you guys have to click your thermacell to get it to light?

I love the way it works when it actually lights.

 

At least yours clicks, my doesnt click anymore so it doesnt light either. 3 weeks and it was done. Sure worked good while it lasted though.

 

I usually click mine 4-5 times and it will fire up. Sounds like you have a bad igniter on yours.

 

My thermacell usually takes 1-2 clicks to light up.

 

At the most, I have had to click mine about 10 times. Sometimes it seems like it has to be turned upside down or some other position to light quickly.

 

1 - 2 clicks, but mine is new (first use, yesterday)

 

1-2 clicks and its lit, I believe you got a Lemon!! Oh, icy bearded man :D

 

I had one like that.... 40 or so clicks to start; it was maddening. Took it back and got another one and this one starts within the first few clicks.

 

Yep about 5-8 for mine and it is going on four years old now!! Holding it upside down seems to help..Walt

 

2 or 3 clicks. Pretty gutsy tho, no way I would put that thing in my shirt, let it build up and then hit the igniter. Almost like holding a cig lighter in your closed hand with the fuel on then lighting it. Be carefull, you may burn your nurples off.

 

1-3 clicks still to this day going into its 3rd of 4th year of use. It has saved my hide (literally) several times!

 

That's why I like the cold - no sketters!
I left a message with my good friends at thermacell. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say.

 

Magic turn it on (let some fluid flow) click a couple of times then turn it off. Next turn it back on wait for a second or so and slowly hit the ignite button, should take 2 tries and it'll light.

 

nope!
I did get it to light once in about 75 clicks (using your suggested method). It sparks about hafl the time and poofs when I allow the gas to build up a while but it just doesn't want to light. I also tried holding it upside down and even threatened it with a hammer. lol

One of the days I just struggled to get it lit I wondered if I should just take the pad out of it and rub it all over me. lol

 

I was looking into those, Man that is a really expensive hunk of plastic. If they made em outta aluminum or something, i could see 30 bucks! Its a great product no doubt, just doesnt seem.....well made? per say...

 

Then yes you got a LEMON. Mine never lights on the first time around, but when I turn it off and back on it'll light within 2 clicks everytime.

 

yup..i usually do what it says and click it 5 times.....works awesome though..smells funny sometimes and smokes but not to bad...

 

Had mine over a year. Usually one click gets it but have had to click a 2nd time before.

 

Thermacell called. They told me to ship it back to them and they will send me one that works. Cool! The lady that I talked to said it should light everytime within 4-5 clicks.