I have a normal, ordinary Zippo here that I've had for about 15 years. About once a week I find something that needs to be lit on fire and grab it.
It seems like EVERY single time I try to use the thing all its fluid has evaporated and I have to refill it. I use a bottle of official Zippo fuel that I've had for the entire time I've owned the lighter, which still seems to be fine.
How long are these things supposed to stay fuelled?
The one my wife gave me as a wedding gift does that too. None of my previous ones have, and I can't figure out why.
It isn't leaking in storage is it?
I carried one long ago, and if I overfilled it it would leak in my pocket. Not pleasant.
It just sits out on my counter (not in direct sunlight) waiting to be used. I've never seen any evidence of liquid leaking, which is why I suspect evaporation. The fabric inside is bone dry and doesn't even smell like fuel.
My wife bought me a nice one for our anniversary once. Never use it for the same reason. Not exactly convenient if you have to refill it every time you need to use it.
Butane insert. Got mine from Amazon $12
In reply to alstevens:
Holy crap that's genius. Learn something new every day.
The smell and sound of a Zippo and that first cigarette are priceless. Except for that emphysema thingie.
Zippos are cool, but if I want a lighter that actually works I use a 99-cent Bic disposable.
The fuel evaporates. Not good for infrequent use.
You all recommended a lighter to me and I have absolutely loved it. Ronson Jet. Refillable butane "jet" style lighter.
I smoke, and lighting a smoke in the boat or the convertible is nearly impossible without one. I originally splurged $40 on a nice Colibri. It lasted exactly two days. It was cheap, the finish was already coming off, and the sparker died. I didn't even make it through a whole pack. Fortunately their customer service was great and they gladly refunded me.
The Ronson Jet I got instead was $4.98 at WalMart, made of a beefy aluminum casting, and has now lasted me two years of a pack-a-day habit, camping trips, melting rope ends, lighting candles, incense, shrink tube, and I even used it to solder a couple wires (very slowly).
The paint has all worn off so I think I might polish it.
Seriously. Best lighter I have ever seen and it was $4.98. Even after I quit smoking I'll still carry it for camping and shop stuff.
Will wrote: Zippos are cool, but if I want a lighter that actually works I use a 99-cent Bic disposable.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my favorite bottle opener could set stuff on fire as well.
An empty lighter made me think of this. Apparently my brain operates at 100% old movie references now. Thank the FSM for youtube!
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