How Many Oxygen Concentrators Do I Need for My Glassblowing Torch?
Posted by Patrick Bradshaw on
The most common question we get from glassblowers is simple: how many oxygen concentrators do I need for my torch? The honest answer depends on two numbers, not one. Your torch needs enough oxygen flow (liters per minute, or LPM) and enough oxygen pressure (PSI). A concentrator setup that covers one but not the other will leave you with a weak, unstable flame.
This guide walks through how to match concentrators to your torch, which torches run well on a single 10 LPM unit, and when you need a HomeFill or tank system instead.
Flow vs. Pressure: The Rule That Decides Everything
Flow (LPM) is how much oxygen your torch burns per minute. Bigger flames, bigger tips, and longer production runs all use more.
Pressure (PSI) is how hard that oxygen is pushed into the torch. Some torches run happily at 5 PSI. Others need 20, 35, or even 80 PSI.
Here's the rule most people miss: linking concentrators together adds flow, but it does not raise pressure. Two 10 LPM concentrators joined with a Y connector give you up to 20 LPM, but the pressure stays at what a single unit puts out. If your torch needs more PSI than a concentrator can deliver, adding more concentrators won't fix it. You need compression and storage, like a HomeFill filling cylinders, or regulated tanks.
Torches That Run on One 10 LPM Concentrator
These torches have a maximum oxygen demand at or under about 10 LPM, at pressures a good 10 LPM concentrator can supply:
| Torch | PSI | Max Oxygen (LPM) |
|---|---|---|
| GTT Cricket | 5–10 | 5.5 |
| Carlisle Mini CC | 5 | 7 |
| Nortel Minor | 5–15 | 7 |
| Nortel Mega Minor | 5–15 | 8 |
| GTT Bobcat | 5–10 | 8.5 |
| GTT Lynx | 10–15 | 9.5 |
| GTT Scorpion | 5–15 | 9.5 |
| Bethlehem Alpha | 8 (concentrator) | 10 |
Maximum demand figures describe the largest flame. Most people use less day to day, so a single 10 LPM unit usually has some headroom on these torches.
Torches That Need Two or More Concentrators
These torches need more flow than one concentrator can provide, but their pressure needs are within or close to concentrator range. Linking multiple concentrators (an HVLP, or high volume, low pressure, setup) is often the answer:
| Torch | PSI | Max Oxygen (LPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Carlisle Lucio | 5 | 13 |
| Carlisle Wildcat | 5 | 15 |
| GTT Sidewinder | 5–15 | 15 |
| Carlisle Hellcat | 5 | 21 |
| Bethlehem Bravo | 8 (concentrator) | 30 |
| Nortel Mid-Range | 5–15 | 34 |
| Bethlehem Champion | 10 (concentrator) | 40 |
| Nortel Major | 5–15 | 43 |
The bigger torches on this list can need several concentrators running together at full flame.
Bethlehem publishes its own concentrator guidance. Any concentrator that produces at least 5 LPM at 5 PSI will run the Alpha, Bravo, and Champion. For the largest, hottest flame, Bethlehem says your concentrator or concentrators must produce at least:
- Alpha: 10 LPM at 8 PSI
- Bravo: 30 LPM at 8 PSI (10 LPM center fire, 20 LPM outer fire)
- Champion: 40 LPM at 10 PSI (10 LPM center fire, 30 LPM outer fire)
In 10 LPM concentrators, that's one for a full-flame Alpha, three for a full-flame Bravo, and four for a full-flame Champion. The PSI figures above are what Bethlehem lists for concentrators. Its tank specs run the Bravo at up to 20 PSI and the Champion at 20 PSI.
Call us before you build a large HVLP setup, because the right number depends on how hard you actually run the torch.
The GTT Cheetah: Where Pressure Becomes the Limit
The 13 jet GTT Cheetah sits right on the line between setups. GTT calls for 20 to 25 PSI of oxygen, and at its largest flame it uses roughly 13 LPM. That's more flow than one 10 LPM concentrator can give, so for full output you'll need a second unit.
But flow is only half of it. Linking concentrators won't raise pressure, and the Cheetah wants 20 PSI or more. Your concentrators have to hold that pressure while they're delivering flow. If they can't, the answer is a HomeFill and cylinders or regulated tanks. If you mostly run a smaller flame, the Cheetah's needs drop, so tell us how you work it before you buy.
Torches That Need Tanks or a HomeFill System
When a torch needs higher pressure than a concentrator can deliver, more concentrators won't help. These torches need compressed oxygen, either from regulated tanks or from an HPLV (high pressure, low volume) setup where a HomeFill fills cylinders from a concentrator:
- GTT Phantom, Mirage, and Delta Elite (35 PSI): compression and storage, or regulated tanks that meet both the PSI and the LPM
- GTT Kobuki, Delta Mag, and Cobra (40–80 PSI): a high-capacity tank system
- Bethlehem Grand (20 PSI, 60 LPM): Bethlehem publishes flow specs for the Grand but no concentrator guidance, so call us before planning a concentrator setup for it
- Carlisle CC Standard and CC Plus (20–25+ PSI): a high-volume tank system; standard concentrators aren't recommended for full output
Our Glassblowing Oxygen Package pairs a reconditioned Perfecto2 concentrator, a HomeFill compressor, and a whip, so you can fill your own cylinders instead of waiting on tank deliveries.
Still buying tanks? Enter how many you use each week in our tanks vs. concentrator cost calculator to see what they cost you in a year, and how long a concentrator takes to pay for itself.
Why We Usually Recommend 10 LPM Over 5 LPM
A 5 LPM concentrator can run a small jewelry torch or a Cricket, but most glassblowers outgrow it quickly. A 10 LPM unit covers every torch in the single-concentrator table above, gives you room for bigger flames, and becomes the building block if you add a second unit later.
Our most popular 10 LPM picks for torch work:
- Drive DeVilbiss 10 LPM: dependable 20 PSI output and strong overall value
- AirSep NewLife Intensity 10 LPM: higher pressure capability than many standard concentrators
- Invacare Platinum 10 LPM: a durable workhorse for steady studio use
Every reconditioned unit we sell is rebuilt, tested for oxygen purity and output, and backed by Bradshaw Oxygen LLC.
What Changes Your Real Oxygen Needs
The numbers above are manufacturer maximums. Your actual use depends on:
- Flame size and tip
- Your fuel gas
- Soft glass vs. borosilicate
- How long you run the torch at a stretch
- Whether you plan to upgrade your torch later
Some manufacturers also confirm smaller working setups. Bethlehem, for example, says any concentrator producing at least 5 LPM at 5 PSI will run its Alpha, Bravo, and Champion, just not at full flame. Always follow your torch manufacturer's setup and safety guidance for your exact model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link two concentrators to run a bigger torch?
Yes, if your torch needs more flow but not more pressure. Linking concentrators adds LPM. It doesn't raise PSI, so high-pressure torches still need tanks or a HomeFill system.
Do I need a prescription to buy a concentrator for glassblowing?
No. Glassblowing, lampworking, and jewelry torch work are industrial uses, so no prescription is required.
Is a reconditioned concentrator good enough for a studio?
For most glassblowers, yes. Our reconditioned units are rebuilt, tested, and covered by our warranty, and they cost less than new.
My torch isn't listed. What should I buy?
Call or text your torch model to 828-380-6287. We'll recommend a setup based on your torch, your glass, and how you work.
For full torch charts, see our Glassblower Oxygen Concentrator Guide. To compare what tanks really cost you, try our tanks vs. concentrator cost calculator, or shop on our glassblower oxygen page.