Any Zippo lighter users here? Have a problem/need help.

[Guest MilitiaMan]

Well, here it is. I have two Zippos, one brand new and the other pretty well broken in. I keep one in my B.O.B and the other in my Tac vest.

 

This is the 3rd time in 3 months that I have taken them out to inspect them and the 3rd time they have been completely dry of fluid. I've not used them.

 

I have theories, but hoping someone can help pinpoint wth is going on.

 

I used to smoke, for nearly 15 yrs. The broken in Zippo was what I used daily. I would fill it and it would last forever before I had to even think of refilling it.

 

But now I fill them, put them in my gear and for unknown reasons they are bone dry and need to be filled again within a few days/weeks.

 

I am guessing it might have something to do with the humidity or temperature of my house? Maybe.

 

Any other ideas as to why this is going on, and what I can do to stop it, are welcome.

[walton6467]

When I smoked, I always had to refill my Zippos. I'm convinced since they aren't air tight, the fluid just evaporates out of them.

[tartanphantom]

Didn't you know that Chinese naptha evaporates faster than USA naptha? :stir:

[Guest MilitiaMan]

I was hoping it wasn't an evaporation issue. I don't remember my lighter needing to be refilled much when I smoked, though it's been a decade.

 

My worry is simple. I will have these in my gear and be in need, and they'll be empty & useless.

 

While I have several other fire starting options in my gear, I like all of my options to work. Otherwise I'm just carrying dead weight.

 

 

When I smoked, I always had to refill my Zippos. I'm convinced since they aren't air tight, the fluid just evaporates out of them.

Edited April 12, 2013 by MilitiaMan

[Guest MilitiaMan]

I am unwise in the ways of lighter fluid lol :)

 

Didn't you know that Chinese naptha evaporates faster than USA naptha? :stir:

[Wyldk2]

It probably is evaporation. Beings these zippos aren't airtight. Mine does the same thing. I have drawn a conclusion it is not practical in an emergency situation.And I don't smoke, just have one for emergencies.. Now that has been proven it wasn't just mine evaporating, I'll have to look into something else.

[TripleDigitRide]

Bic lighters are your friend.

[Defender]

It's Bush's fault...or global warming...lol

[MacGyver]

It's evaporation.  A Zippo is good for about a month without being topped off - in good conditions.

 

I replaced my factory inserts with these and solved the problem:

 

http://www.wannalight.com/kgm-vector-butane-flip-top-standard-lighter-insert.html

[UncleJak]

I had the same problem with mine and switched to bic

[tartanphantom]

Hey, when all else fails, go old school. Never needs fluid.

 

Edited April 12, 2013 by tartanphantom

[Spots]

I carry a zippo for my smoking habit and a bic for survival. The zippos can leak out as well as evaporate. The bics are a seaped system

Sent from the backwoods of Nowhere

[Wingshooter]

Mine does the same thing. I always keep one in my truck and in my BOB. When I realized the fluid was evaporating, I just started  keeping a bottle of fluid in my truck and BOB, lol. Of course I believe in triple redundancy, so I always have a Bic and matches in those location also. Well... quadruple redundancy because I also have the flint-steel.

 

As you can tell, I don't ever want to be without the ability to make fire  :rock:

[Guest MilitiaMan]

Looks like a pack of Bics will be my next purchase.

 

I'm the same as your, redundancy is my friend. I have airtight packs with matches and dryer lint, I have a magnesium starter, I have sterno gel, more matches, the zippos and I think that's it lol

 

Mine does the same thing. I always keep one in my truck and in my BOB. When I realized the fluid was evaporating, I just started  keeping a bottle of fluid in my truck and BOB, lol. Of course I believe in triple redundancy, so I always have a Bic and matches in those location also. Well... quadruple redundancy because I also have the flint-steel.

 

As you can tell, I don't ever want to be without the ability to make fire  :rock:

[enfield]

My newest Zippo uses butane.  Problem solved.

[~48_South~]

Yeah go butane and you should solve the problem,I personally have packs of bics.

[Murgatroy]

For a BOB a Bic is much better than a Zippo. 

 

As you have discovered, the Zippo will evaporate. They need to be filled weekly, used or not.

 

A Zippo is plain out and out for being stylish when you light up your stogie. There is no other use on the face of the earth that something else can't do better. They are poor screwdrivers, poor hammers, poor bullet stoppers, poor fist loads, but by god if you want to look cool lighting your cigarette, that distinctive *click* will let everyone in earshot know who the man is. Especially if it is beat up.

 

 

 

I have been carrying this one for fifteen years or so, since my pa gave it to me. He passed away two years ago next week.

[Wingshooter]

For a BOB a Bic is much better than a Zippo.

As you have discovered, the Zippo will evaporate. They need to be filled weekly, used or not.

A Zippo is plain out and out for being stylish when you light up your stogie. There is no other use on the face of the earth that something else can't do better. They are poor screwdrivers, poor hammers, poor bullet stoppers, poor fist loads, but by god if you want to look cool lighting your cigarette, that distinctive *click* will let everyone in earshot know who the man is. Especially if it is beat up.




I have been carrying this one for fifteen years or so, since my pa gave it to me. He passed away two years ago next week.

I agree on the coolness factor except to say that a zippo can easily be filled with other flammable liquid in a survival pinch, and it throws an impressive spark even without fluid. I also like having something that can burn freestanding and hands free.

Cool lighter you have there, btw. Sorry to hear about your pa Edited April 13, 2013 by Batman

[enfield]

A Zippo is also good to have in your back pocket when you drop your bike on loose gravel and go sliding down the pavement on your backside.  Got the t-shirt from that one.  :D

[quietmike]

To help with the evaporation when using Zippos for a BOB, cut a piece of bicycle innertube to wrap around it. It will make the fluid last a LONG time before evaporation, and also makes a handy piece of tinder.