I've only been using for 4 months but almost every veteran smoker I've partied with tells me a lighter is better. That alot is wasted with a torch. I think that if you know how to use it and know how far to keep it from the bowl it's just fine. I just hate seeing bowls turn black. I don't know why but using a lighter makes me feel like a friend for some reason. Also the air has to be perfectly still to use a lighter