What is the Zippo Lighter secret?

[WVELK]

I feel like Zippo has been around forever.. I seem to recall my grandparents using them 50 plus years ago. I bought two to serve as windproof lighters for backpack hunting. The problem is that if they set for a week it seems like they are darn near impossible to light. Does the lighter fluid evaporate that fast? I may go back to weather proof matches, flint, or just about anything.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Can't help you there. I probably have 3-4 YO zippos that still work. They go everywhere with me.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I was never impressed with them although as a teenager was something I always thought was really cool. Wife got me one as a gift which I promptly got one of the butane inserts for and have never looked back.

Amazon.com

 

[Ferrulewax]

Fluid evaporates almost immediately. There are some tricks you can do to make them last longer- but they aren’t that practical IMO. They are cool and fun to play with.

 

[Vaultman]

Butane lighter insert FTW.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Just evaporates.Carried one for years when I was younger.

 

[WVELK]

Well thanks. I am lmao in that they brag on them being windproof, but fail to tell you they essentially are useless. Live and learn.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

They were cool when I smoked so always carried a lighter, could flick it open and light it in one motion with one hand. For starting campfires there's a whole lot better ways. Don't overfill them or they can leak in your pocket and give you a chemical burn.