Saturday, August 8, 2009

Refilling and Cleaning a Zippo

By Dave Sabot

Part of owning a Zippo lighter is refueling it from time to time. This can be done quickly and safely with a bit of practice. This process is also a good opportunity to clean the lighter, part of ensuring proper function.

Of all the lighter fluids available, those sold at grocery and discount stores are the most likely to give a foul, petroleum taste to tobacco. Smokers generally avoid these fuels. They are adequate for utility use but, in general, better-quality fuels also burn more efficiently which makes them a superior choice all around. Even from the aspect of keeping a lighter clean and functioning, they offer advantages in that there are fewer impurities with which the lighter may become fouled.

Squirt a bit of fluid into the reservoir, let it soak for a few seconds and then repeat the process until the cotton is saturated. Remember to give the fuel a while to be absorbed. Putting too much fuel in quickly makes a huge mess which may not be realized until the lighter is placed into a pocket. Once the lighter is filled, put the felt back in place and return it to the lighter. Be sure to let the lighter sit for a while to make certain that any extra fuel has a chance to evaporate. The lighter may well emit a larger than normal flame on the first light after refueling, so be aware of this when turning the flint wheel for the first time.

Zippos are enormously durable and reliable lighters and they offer a nice alternative to the wasteful, unreliable and cheap disposable lighters that crowd the market. There are butane lighters, however, such as Nibo lighters, which offer a nice, mess-free alternative to liquid-fueled lighters. Which one is best depends upon the user.

While the butane models are attractive and durable, there is something about the look and feel of liquid-fueled lighters which makes them irresistible to some individuals. If one desires an equally environmentally-friendly and non-disposable alternative, however, considering a butane model is a good idea. They have a style all their own, come in a variety of designs and can provide a service life that is comparable to their liquid-fueled predecessors. As is the case with Zippos, price does translate to quality.

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