Refilling and Cleaning a Zippo
August 9th, 2009 by Drew Sabot, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
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.
The insert within the lighter’s case contains cotton covered by felt. Though there is a hole in this felt, the lighter is best filled by pulling it back to expose the cotton. This helps prevent over-saturating the cotton with fluid. Hold the lighter upside down, preferably over a sink and definitely not over a finished surface which may be damaged by the fluid. In most cases, some fluid will drip down the wick during refueling so expect there to be a bit of a mess.
To eliminate any taste, one should either quickly exhale the first few puffs of a cigar or a pipe or not inhale the first drag of a cigarette. Most smokers who use Zippos habitually are familiar with this compromise. The reliability, durability and style of the lighters is oftentimes more than enough to compensate for this minor inconvenience. The higher quality fuels will usually be available at high-end tobacconists and lighter dealers. They cost a bit more than the discount types but offer a superior smoking experience, according to many aficionados. Lighter fluid, of course, must be handled with care.
Refill lighters over a sink. This makes sure that there is no fire hazard posed by spilled fluid and also makes sure that the fluid doesn’t damage any surfaces with which it may come into contact. When the lighter is filled and ready, be sure to rinse out the sink and to clean up any surfaces. Of course, never leave lighter-fluid soaked rags laying about. Rinse them out and wash them as soon as possible.
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.
