What are the most common problems that prevent blowtorches from burning efficiently?
A properly operating blowtorch will have a loud, roaring flame that shoots from the burner head approximately 3 to 5 inches. If the flame is not strong, blue in color, then the most likely cause is that the torch is plugged. The wick commonly rots, turns hard, and sometimes the undervein on the burner head gets clogged with carbon. In severe cases, the old wick has to be drilled out. In some situations, the fuel passageway has to be reamed out with a drill. It is also very common to find blow torches that have a defective check valve, which is the leading reason why gasoline blowtorches are so dangerous. Another problem, although not as common as the failure modes already mentioned, is the presence of cracks in the brass tank. These are usually stress cracks and are the result of a blowtorch being improperly stored.
