Making a Zippo lighter last

Get an insert, Thunderbird if you like zippo-like flame, Z-plus if you like a torch. I use both.
If you must go with the traditional Zippo i found that horizontal carry in a leather zippo holster tended to make the fuel evaporate at a slower rate. I don't know if that was because of the horizontal carry or the holster or a combo of both things.
 
I don't understand the controversy. Do these lighter drop-ins run forever? Or do they require refilling from time to time?

So do Zippos. I carry a 1 oz. flask with lighter fuel - problem solved. In fact, adding a whole can of lighter fuel weighs next to nothing. I also carry a Bic and a Mag bar. I'm referring to winter only. In the other seasons I don't carry the Zippo, but in the winter, nothing is more reliable. I also use a Ranger band around the Zippo join and it works quite well.

lighterx3.jpg


BTW, can these drop-ins be set down and the flame continues or do they shut off as soon as you remove your thumb?

Doc
 
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I have had many Zippos, and the fuel seems to last a varying amount of times. I've had one zippo last a month on one fill, and another only a week. Rangerbands didn't seem to really help, but I just carry zippo fluid with me in all seasons except summer.

I've given thought to the butane insert, but never thought I'd rely on a zippo, so I never bothered to get one.
 
I carry a Zippo every day and smoke a pack a day. I've got a bottle of NAPHTA on the counter near my front door, and I've just gotten into a routine of refilling every 2 or 3 days without waiting for it to start to dry out. I also keep three extra flints in the bat under the felt cover, so I'm prepared in case the flint goes.

I did use the Thunderbird insert for a while, but I've since gone back to lighter fluid. I find it to be more wind-resistant.
 
Doc they don't leak, period. They last according to the amount of fuel you burn. I have a Z-plus insert i filled a year ago sitting in my drawer unused, tried it last night and was still full. I have three Z-plus's and a Thunderbird. The Z-plus you need to hold down the button to keep it lit.With the Thunderbird its like a regular Zippo with a striker wheel (only it runs on butane), you light it and it will stay lit until you shut the lighter. The hinge acts as a shutoff valve, when the hinge is in the closed position the valve is shut.
 
tholiver said:
Doc they don't leak, period. They last according to the amount of fuel you burn. I have a Z-plus insert i filled a year ago sitting in my drawer unused, tried it last night and was still full. I have three Z-plus's and a Thunderbird. The Z-plus you need to hold down the button to keep it lit.With the Thunderbird its like a regular Zippo with a striker wheel (only it runs on butane), you light it and it will stay lit until you shut the lighter. The hinge acts as a shutoff valve, when the hinge is in the closed position the valve is shut.
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Thanks for the reply, th, but I'll still stick with my Zippo. Too many new fangled gadgets in the world. :(

Doc
 
If you're going to go with an after-market insert, definitely get the Thunderbird yellow-flame insert. The other brands are inferior in quality and design, and the blue-flame inserts burn through fuel quickly and eventually stop working. That said, I switched back to the standard lighter fluid insert because it's just more reliable and more wind-resistant by a huge margin. Just make it a habit to refill every 2 days (well before it starts to dry out), and you'll be golden.
 
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to add that a tightly fitted inner tube of about 1.25" to 1.5" (for a standard Zippo) will not only slow down fuel from evaporating for a ridiculously long time but will pretty much waterproof the lighter as well. I've got each type of insert from Vector (soft flame and single torch) and use those for cigars but torch lighters can be problematic at altitude and don't create a useful spark to light tinder should the need arise. It's hard to beat a freshly filled Zippo for adverse weather backcountry outings. I carry one in my pocket (but also carry a Bic in my pack along with a misch metal rod and prepared cotton ball tinder). The beauty of the Zippo is that even when out of fuel, you have onboard tinder (the cotton batting inside) and sparking abilities. You can carry a few spare flints inside as well.
 
Magnaminous_G said:
If you're going to go with an after-market insert, definitely get the Thunderbird yellow-flame insert. The other brands are inferior in quality and design, and the blue-flame inserts burn through fuel quickly and eventually stop working. That said, I switched back to the standard lighter fluid insert because it's just more reliable and more wind-resistant by a huge margin. Just make it a habit to refill every 2 days (well before it starts to dry out), and you'll be golden.
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I have taken my zippos out of any kit because when I use then they are dry
They are not ready to go

thanks for the heads up about the Thunderbird soft flame insert
I will try and get it sent here
 
Once a week I top mine off. Just a standard best practice. I keep a spare flint under the fibre where it is filled with fluid. I have a small can of fluid in my truck kit so I have spare fuel. It's not that complicated. If it is mission critical then it needs regularly scheduled Maintenance just like all the other kit.
 
Dont use Zippos...
However how fast something evaporates is dependent on its vapor pressure, bees or paraffin wax use the wick to increase the surface area to create enough vapor to burn due to having an extremely low vapor pressure... its why even melted beeswax simply wont burn unless you heat it up enough its evaporating(by itself). A wick increases the surface area by thousands to millions of times.

Paraffin oil has a very low vapor pressure and can be left in a dish for weeks with very little evaporation, it also readily takes a spark from firesteels when on cotton balls.
I have no idea if a Zippo flint will light it and it may not burn as cleanly as lighter fluid but its maybe something worth trying, it will still evaporate but may do so at a far slower pace.

PS-Also commonly called kerosene in many parts of the world.
 
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Zippo makes a reservoir for carrying a refill. You can get 1 oz. flasks cheaply too.

A6841C00-F8D5-4F4A-82B3-FDBCD2D5D03A_zpscqxdrfj4.jpg
 
I don't carry a Zippo, but I do carry a WW1 shell casing replica lighter.
It has the same pluses and minuses of the Zippos. I just carry a little extra fuel. Problem solved.

Lighter fluid or naptha, is handy to have anyway. It enhances the spark taking process when it reall counts.I usually carry a bic too. Actually I carry am Aim & flame, perfect for campfires.

But since half the year here is winter. I tend to gravitate in different directions.

Personally, I like the low tech of the old lighters.
 
CSG said:
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to add that a tightly fitted inner tube of about 1.25" to 1.5" (for a standard Zippo) will not only slow down fuel from evaporating for a ridiculously long time but will pretty much waterproof the lighter as well. I've got each type of insert from Vector (soft flame and single torch) and use those for cigars but torch lighters can be problematic at altitude and don't create a useful spark to light tinder should the need arise. It's hard to beat a freshly filled Zippo for adverse weather backcountry outings. I carry one in my pocket (but also carry a Bic in my pack along with a misch metal rod and prepared cotton ball tinder). The beauty of the Zippo is that even when out of fuel, you have onboard tinder (the cotton batting inside) and sparking abilities. You can carry a few spare flints inside as well.
Click to expand...

As an update, I'd filled a Zippo on the day of this post, 28 days ago. As of a few moments ago, the lighter lit without issue and held a flame.
 
While it lit yesterday and held a flame, I finally refilled it. So, with a 'ranger band' covering the lighter, fitted the way I mentioned earlier, a Zippo can hold fuel for at least 7 weeks. Food for thought.
 
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