I have used a candle and it worked but took forever. I finally got a torch and it works great however today i tried out my Wagner hot air gun set on 1 and it started the pellets better then the torch. I was greatly impressed with it.hav a AMNPS used it for the first time. had hard time getting the pellets to light. when I did it didnt stay lit.I dont hav a torch just s coleman lighter. it this my problem? Does the torch hav a hotter flame?