Vintage IMCO Gas Lighter Fuel

1/29/2011

I've had quite a few questions regarding what kind of fuel to use in a vintage IMCO Gas Lighter like the G-11. I'm pretty sure they all can handle regular old butane fuel like Ronson sells. There's a hole at the bottom of the fuel canisters where the pressurized fuel is pushed into.

To Keith, who just wrote me, I hope you read this because your email address failed when I tried to respond.

If anyone has any other information on this subject, please pass it on to me. Thanks!

38 Comments

Thomas P

4/24/2011 11:52:41 pm

I have the G11 but there is no hole in the bottom of the cannister, just one on the top for the gas to come out, is it possible that the gas is just pumped in the same hole that it comes out? I haven't tried to fill it because I'm not sure how to. Any info would be well recieved.

Graham Edwards

11/14/2013 06:31:10 pm

I DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE TO REVERSE FILL THESE IMCO REFILLS.. I HAVE A GOOD G11 WITH A CANISTER (EMPTY OF COURSE) AND AS YOU FIGURED, THERE IS ONLY ONE VALVE, AND THATS THE WAY THEY WERE FILLED IN THE FIRST PLACE.... THE TRICK IS HOLDING THE NOZZLE UP SO THE VLAVE IS OPEN AND AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO PUSH A CAN OF GAS LIGHTER FLUID ONTO THE NOZZLE.. VERY AWKWARD TO SAY THE LEAST WHEN YOUR PULLING ONE AND PUSHING THE OTHER, BUT, IT CAN BE DONE AND HAS BEEN DONE.. GO AHEAD AND TRY. YOU MAY AS WELL BECAUSE THESE CANNISTERS ARE RARER THAN FUCKIN HEN'S TEETH AND YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.. CHEERS N GOODLUCK

Ian

7/19/2018 11:02:37 pm

Where could I get one of the gas cylinders from?? Just filled one that I bought second hand and it turned into a blow lamp and doesn't shut off!

RockiesGirl

4/27/2011 07:36:28 am

Thomas P, I have just emailed IMCO to see if they have any information. I will post as soon as I hear back from them. Thanks for asking the question, because others are in the same boat you are in. We need answers! :)

RockiesGirl

4/28/2011 09:52:53 am

Ok, IMCO has informed me that the G11 that I do not have - the one where there is no hole at the bottom - had "gas tank" refills that were swapped out. Since the lighter has been out of production for 40 years now, there is no wat to refill these lighters. Sorry for the bad news.

I would like to have a picture of the bottom of this style of lighter to add to my IMCO Lighter history pages on my www.thunderhawkcollectables.com site if anyone is willing to send me one. Thanks!

Jerry Choat

5/11/2014 04:51:09 am

Hi RockiesGirl, saw your post, do you have picture yet? Do you want picture of bottom of lighter or fuel canister?
Also, could you tell me aprox. what year or years the G11 model was made? THANKS!!!

Graham Edwards

11/18/2014 06:52:49 am

Hi Jerry... 1930's i do believe :-)

Graham Edwards

11/18/2014 06:52:02 am

Hi there again. The G11 came out in the 1930's and i believe it was originally Austrian made. I have a G11 in very good condition with the empty Imco Butane Gas Cylinder If you's like a few picsof it in various postions wit the canister in and out of the lighter and te bottom of butane canister, plz feel free to email @ the above address and i shall take some photos wit a anon A350 Powershot Camera which should take nice pictures , providing i don't shake whilst taking them.. lol I am far from what somer would call a "good" photographer though and in the end, can only do my best..:-)

Graham Edwards

11/18/2014 06:58:23 am

graham_00@bigpond.com

jester

1/30/2012 05:16:54 pm

hi - i know this is a year-old thread, but:
refilling an imco gas tank w/o filling hole is a little bit difficult
i once bought a small butane refillcan (20ml) with a one-fits-all-rubberadapter instead of the plasticadapters - the rupperpart also fits on the large (250ml) cans.
now - if you remove the gastank, adjust it to max.flame & lift the mechanism with a tweezer you can refill it 'reversed'.
but the main problem will be: most of my gastanks do have brittle seals - that means the propane will disappear within minutes...
the easiest way will be: looking for a suitable gastank w/ fillinghole on a fleamarket.
i know these types of gastanks (maybe one of'em fits your lighter?)
(mark on bottom of tank)
*imco gas g11 (w/o fill) in a g11
*imco triplex (w/o fill) in a g22 (bird)
*imco g22-r g34-r (w/ fill) in a g22 (bird)

if you need a gastank - let me know which on & i'm sure i can send you one...
kr J

T.O

5/11/2012 02:24:28 am

hi, do you know where i can find gas canisters for the imco g11 ?

tobi_jh@hotmail.com

Jeff

1/28/2013 08:58:24 pm

I also have an imco g11, and I try to find a tank with a valve. Would you have this type of gastank (even modified)? I try to refill from the top, very difficult, and unsafe.

Awaiting your reply, and i hope the price for a gas tank,

Best regards,

Jeff

Jeff

1/28/2013 09:10:07 pm

If someone has a gastank with a valve on bottom to refill it, please let me know.

I would like to keep this beautiffull 50'' lighter in working order, because it is a very good one compared chiness electronic one.

Price is yours.

Venca

12/26/2014 01:24:08 am

Hi. I have one. I sthat possible to fill it with regular butan filler ?

norm myers

6/25/2013 11:51:05 am

Had my lighter since ages please help need filler for a bird thank you

Nolan

2/18/2015 12:27:38 am

Hey Jester, ik this is old but are you saying there at the bottom, that the imco g22-r g34-r is refillable? that's the one I have I don't know If I can refill this one or not but so far it seems that I cant, do u have any other information on this model?

Will

2/16/2016 09:52:40 am

Hi kr J,

I have a G11 that I wanted to convert to a liquid fuel wick tank. Is this possible?

Do you have a wick tank that will fit the G11?

Thank you

Tosten Schmitt

1/1/2017 05:44:09 pm

Hi,
Just strolling through this forum and saw your question come up. I recently purchased a g11 from ebay, of course with an empty tank. I managed to succussfully convert the existing tank to a traditional wick using zippo fluid. It's a little time consuming but simple enough and the outcome looks as if it were a wick lighter all along. I can send along instructions if your so inclined.

RON

12/23/2017 02:48:14 pm

HELLO THERE,I HAVE A G11 RED BIRD MADE IN THE SEVENTIES WITH THE DISPOSABLE GAS TANK NOW UNOBTAINABLE,PULL OUT THE BLACK VALVE CAREFULLY,INSERT A WICK WRAPPED IN COTTON WOOL,FILL WITH LIGHTER PETROL AND YOU HAVE CONVERTED FROM GAS TO PETROL AND STILL BE ABLE TO USE IT.

Lars Jone Larsen

4/21/2012 11:52:01 pm

I've just recently heard the bad news myself, and I'm now planning a simple rebuild of the tank.I'm gonna fit it with a modern valve from another lighter. It'll be a tight fit with the valve facing the back side of the lighter at the very bottom, but it's the only solution I can come up with. I'm not giving this up till it works. Bye from Lars in Stavanger, Norway.

JEFF

1/28/2013 09:11:45 pm

Jerry Choat

5/11/2014 04:36:29 am

Saw your comment Dated 4/22/12. If you get this to work or find any other fuel solution for G11 fuel canister w/out hole, please let me know. Thanks!!!

fleet fueling software link

5/21/2012 02:35:57 pm

First of all thanks for sharing this kind of post. You got a great blog. I regularly check this site to collect more information about fueling software.

JOHNNY link

5/26/2012 09:12:25 pm

hello i come from italy i have imco g11 bad i can not to load can you help me please in mi email kamorrajoni@hotmail.com i sea please help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee send my the instruction how i can to load

Ultimate8

7/13/2012 11:54:00 pm

Hello!

I have an IMCO G-11 lighter,but it's in a quite bad condition. It has got refillable gastank,but I don't know how to fill it,I haven't got a flint in the lighter,where can I buy some? Also I have a part which misses from the lighter,I can send a picture of it if you reply.
Would you help me please?

Thanks

RockiesGirl link

7/14/2012 01:52:38 am

Hi to the person who left the last message! Please email me with a photo of the bottom of the lighter and I can try to help with your questions. Thanks! info@thunderhawkcollectables.com

Bill

8/2/2012 03:47:53 am

I have a G-11 from the 50's and would like to get it working.
Is there reputable honest place to send it so I know I will get it back.
It's been thru my military time 67-70 & has been in my jewelry box.
It is in excellent condition, and just needs the components, gas, wick, flint, etc.
It's not a "NEED" thing, I would just like it to work again.
I would appreciate any help with my G-11.
Thank you

RockiesGirl link

8/10/2012 11:34:23 pm

Hi! Sorry it took me a while. My mom just had hip surgery and is at my house recovering. Anyway, I don't know anyone that does repairs on IMCO's. I have many inquiries, so I wish I knew how to fix them! In any case, here's a request to anyone out there that wants some business repairing vintage lighters to contact me and I'll put a plug in here for them. Thanks so much for your comment!

Daniel

2/6/2013 02:29:55 pm

Hi i have a IMCO G34 triplex lighter n was wondering if there is a modern adaptation of the fuel canister than could be used for these old lighters?

Michael Fleischmann link

3/28/2013 12:00:29 am

Hi To all Imco Fans.
I have a Imco G11 that i want to sell. It is in great condition and it is the one with no gashole in the tank. The gastank has no cracks or dents. It is in uncleaned condition, and i will ship it world-wide.
Here is the ebay link for the Imco G11.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/151018310676?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.de%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D151018310676%26_rdc%3D1

If anyone has further questions, dont hesitate to conect me over my website. www.cycle-for-a-better-world.org.
Thanks for posting this item.
BR Michael

Luke bowersox

5/10/2013 02:40:08 pm

Made a refilable canister for g11 but need to valve on the top

norm myers

6/25/2013 11:42:06 am

Need a refill for a bird imco refillable canister love my lighter .Please can anyone help

Kimi the Finn

1/25/2014 10:18:18 pm

I found an old G11 that belonged to my grandfather, and I would like to get it working again. It has the replaceable canister.
Could someone make a guide or post pics on how to install a refueling port/nozzle to an old canister? Could someone tell me if the canister is interchangeable with any other IMCO brand canister, like that from the IMCO TRIPLEX + Junior? I would greatly appreciate it.

Jerry Choat

4/22/2014 05:54:43 am

I have a IMCO G11 butane lighter in perfect condition that I need fuel for. It does not have hole in bottom. The Butane canister has on the side of it, Distributed by FALCON INT'L, INC. CHICAGO, IL 60641. If anyone comes up with FUEL SOLUTION, please let me know. THANKS !!!!!

Jerry Choat

12/4/2014 07:34:12 am

RockiesGirl link

1/1/2017 06:05:45 pm

to Tosten Schmitt: Please, please, please! I'll post it right to the history pages in my main website that has the history of IMCO Lighters on it and maintenance instructions. If you have a way to post here that would be great, too. Thanks so much!

Kimi Kyllönen

1/3/2017 12:13:48 am

Binz

12/24/2017 05:34:34 am

This thread is old but I have some information, maybe for someone who finds a G11 5 years from now who knows. But there is word of a petrol replacement for the G11, I havnt found it. What i have done however is cut the fuel tank in half, and slotted the upper half of a 6700 tank inside it, you get the fit of the G11 tank but the length of the wick and easy refil, they are the same diameter. If you dont have a 6700 just buy a fake and carve it up, or use a modified spent bullet cartridge. Also if you take a pair of pliers and mishape the 6700 tank (a stock one) im sure you could get it to hold tight, like how you adjust the fit of a zippo. stay creative people, we keep imco alive

RockiesGirl

Mom of one little girl with Down Syndrome who loves the Rocky Mountains, IMCO Lighters are a staple in my camping gear.
Sadly, since IMCO went out of business, I've moved on to different products, but try to keep up with IMCO news. I hope this information helps all who are looking!

Vintage IMCO Gas Lighter Fuel

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