Originally Posted By Dryer
This is very interesting! I have a butane lighter with a platinum catalyst element that outperforms (in high wind!) any lighter I've seen. Requires just a whiff of butane. The filament is very fragile and touching it would be a mistake as it would deform but it's purpose is to keep the butane lit as an ongoing ignition source.
I had no idea methanol could be used.
I'll be following your posts intently. grin


Thanks, that sounds pretty cool. Platinum acts as a catalyst with many hydrocarbons. My understanding is that methanol is the only one that will give you enough of a reaction at room temperature to ignite the fuel.