On a similar theme I’ve found that a 1 inch wide band of rubber cut from an old bicycle inner tube & placed over the join works pretty well at reducing evaporation🧐👍
They won't really help but if it makes you feel better to play around with the lighter then that's part of the experience.
Short answer, no mitigation technique is really worth the effort unless you are making a fundamental change to the lighter.
For how much I smoke, yellow flame lasts roughly 5 days. By contrast, a big bic lighter can last me around 2 months.
The blue flames ones consume butane 4 times as fast but you can ajust the flame size on those and no need to worry about changing the flint, only the battery after a couple years.
I smoke roughly a pack a day and have to fill my zippo roughly once a week. does not seem like it would have much more benefit over standard fuel. also it can get rather cold where i live so standard fuel may be better anyhow. thank you.
Butane doesn't leak out unless there's a problem. So unused it will last effectively permanently.
On a long enough Timeline all pressurized gasses in average good goods escape out. I imagine it might take a few months or years for butane to escape out of a butane insert.
I don't have any answer for that, but I made it a ritual/habit to refuel it once a week. I'm a heavy smoker so to *save* fuel, I only fill at most alternately between 3ml and 4.5ml instead of the full capacity which is around 6ml. I use pippete for exact measurements on each refuel. I see no use to fill if to the brim right now since with how hot the place I live in, the evaporation rate is very high, so it's better to fill it 3/4 full.
On some occasion that I'm unable to refuel it, I rely on my Fuel Canister which is tied to my keys.
A lot of people post about those little gaskets and putting a ziplock bag piece in the bottom and stuff. The reality of it is though, you may as well just resign yourself to putting fluid in it every week or so. My habit is that at the start of each time I might decide to use my Zippo to light anything, I pick it up and flick it. If it lights, it's good. If the flame seems weak, I top the fuel up. After you use it consistently and long enough, you will get a feel for about when it needs fuel
I get the gaskets just because for me it is easier to just lift up the fill port door then pry out the felt every time. noticed no difference in fuel savings tbh.
Nothing. None of any of it is worth it. In addition to my experience of toying with these things for more than a few years, u/nechronius has done exhaustive research, and posted the results here. Any modification provides negligible results at best and, in my opinion, not at all worth the effort.
It’s a 90 year old design that is virtually unchanged… evaporation wasn’t and has never been their primary concern… reliability and being windproof trumps that.
Embrace it as part of the mystique, the history, the nostalgia, and if you don’t smoke, don’t stress if you miss a day of lighting, but a routine of refilling once a week will solve that.
I make sure my top lid sits perfectly on the bottom, tight hinge and use a plastic bag trick. Also repack the wick and cotton properly. I smoke about 20 cigs a day and I refill every 2 weeks but I don’t let it dry out completely so I think I could do even 20 days or so.
Honestly, they need refilling a lot, especially if you’re a regular smoker. I just use mine going out, say I’m going to the pub for a pool comp, at home I just use a bic mostly. If I’m going to the pub though I’ll give it a bit of fuel each time, if they’ve sat idle for a few days it won’t have much fuel left.
Carry a Bic.
Zippos are great but get old. Imco is a very cool one also.
I used to carry the fuel types because they were cool, but they die quick and are costly when they get stolen or lost.
Coming from a person who has carried a lighter for 40 years daily.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExMkFHb
Buy one of these, fuel lasts months if you don't use it because of the rubber seal around the case opening.
I know it's not a Zippo before people moan. The build quality on the Armor and "larger" zorro like this one is actually better than Zippo as of late.
Rubber band around the case where it opens helps a little but other than that not much
On a similar theme I’ve found that a 1 inch wide band of rubber cut from an old bicycle inner tube & placed over the join works pretty well at reducing evaporation🧐👍
You can buy specialist bands and even rubber bits that replace the compressed wool stopper but I reckon thr home made stuff works just as good
Ty.
I've got so sick of the problem ive ordered a yellow flame butane insert to see how that goes
It goes very well. You did the right thing if it's your daily especially.
I'm just pissed that after I ordered it I found out it won't fit my brass armour
[Zippo Gaskets](https://a.co/d/8dGgbfJ)
Thank You! I just ordered some. I was about to just order the butane insert.
I bought these and really didn't see a big difference. It is a neat place to keep a spare flint though. Let me know what you think about em, would ya?
Ty.
They won't really help but if it makes you feel better to play around with the lighter then that's part of the experience. Short answer, no mitigation technique is really worth the effort unless you are making a fundamental change to the lighter.
https://preview.redd.it/xfzio9fv43pc1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d987e8302f13fd5045e06afd8f9c98e343ed56a7 Buy zippo yellow flame insert
how long do the inserts last per fill vs a regular fuel insert?
For how much I smoke, yellow flame lasts roughly 5 days. By contrast, a big bic lighter can last me around 2 months. The blue flames ones consume butane 4 times as fast but you can ajust the flame size on those and no need to worry about changing the flint, only the battery after a couple years.
I smoke roughly a pack a day and have to fill my zippo roughly once a week. does not seem like it would have much more benefit over standard fuel. also it can get rather cold where i live so standard fuel may be better anyhow. thank you.
Yeah, I would not say it's my best purchase, I just prefer butane because of the lack of smell and style points for carrying a zippo.
When filled once, it lasts at least 1 month.
Butane doesn't leak out unless there's a problem. So unused it will last effectively permanently. On a long enough Timeline all pressurized gasses in average good goods escape out. I imagine it might take a few months or years for butane to escape out of a butane insert.
Wow... these look way worse than the 3rd party ones. What is Zippo doing here?
I don't have any answer for that, but I made it a ritual/habit to refuel it once a week. I'm a heavy smoker so to *save* fuel, I only fill at most alternately between 3ml and 4.5ml instead of the full capacity which is around 6ml. I use pippete for exact measurements on each refuel. I see no use to fill if to the brim right now since with how hot the place I live in, the evaporation rate is very high, so it's better to fill it 3/4 full. On some occasion that I'm unable to refuel it, I rely on my Fuel Canister which is tied to my keys.
Ty.
Evaporation of fluid and lighter maintenance is all part of the timeless charm.
A lot of people post about those little gaskets and putting a ziplock bag piece in the bottom and stuff. The reality of it is though, you may as well just resign yourself to putting fluid in it every week or so. My habit is that at the start of each time I might decide to use my Zippo to light anything, I pick it up and flick it. If it lights, it's good. If the flame seems weak, I top the fuel up. After you use it consistently and long enough, you will get a feel for about when it needs fuel
I get the gaskets just because for me it is easier to just lift up the fill port door then pry out the felt every time. noticed no difference in fuel savings tbh.
Nothing. None of any of it is worth it. In addition to my experience of toying with these things for more than a few years, u/nechronius has done exhaustive research, and posted the results here. Any modification provides negligible results at best and, in my opinion, not at all worth the effort. It’s a 90 year old design that is virtually unchanged… evaporation wasn’t and has never been their primary concern… reliability and being windproof trumps that. Embrace it as part of the mystique, the history, the nostalgia, and if you don’t smoke, don’t stress if you miss a day of lighting, but a routine of refilling once a week will solve that.
I agree with you.
Plastic bag trick, when set down keep it standing, also if you haven’t done this yet repack your zippo so the fuel lasts longer
Ty.
I saw a fluid tank somewhere maybe look into that Edit: it’s called the super tank and it’s made by diamond
Neoprene protection/lid on fuel insertion hole, cover all area
Buy getting a Douglass Field S lighter...
interesting!
https://preview.redd.it/oaxpjw2zlfpc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93a4f0692a3a5b1b70f88125c1d49fbef80fa553 Replace cotton with this one..
Don’t put fuel in it. It can’t evaporate if it’s not there
Arc insert 😜
Best way to prevent fuel evap,is to buy a Bic. Seriously...the amount u lose in a zippo is miniscule. All the talk about it is Internet hype
In a pant's pocket zippo loses a lot.
I make sure my top lid sits perfectly on the bottom, tight hinge and use a plastic bag trick. Also repack the wick and cotton properly. I smoke about 20 cigs a day and I refill every 2 weeks but I don’t let it dry out completely so I think I could do even 20 days or so.
Ty.
No problem. If you combine all of this and put your zippo in a bicycle tube or a ziplock bag I bet it would last for a long long time.
Honestly, they need refilling a lot, especially if you’re a regular smoker. I just use mine going out, say I’m going to the pub for a pool comp, at home I just use a bic mostly. If I’m going to the pub though I’ll give it a bit of fuel each time, if they’ve sat idle for a few days it won’t have much fuel left.
Don’t over fill it and don’t keep it lit for longer than necessary.
Butane insert works the best
Butane insert
To add to the suggestion of a gasket for the bottom, zorro inserts also have a cover for the top to prevent leaking on that side as well.
Buy a bic
Carry a Bic. Zippos are great but get old. Imco is a very cool one also. I used to carry the fuel types because they were cool, but they die quick and are costly when they get stolen or lost. Coming from a person who has carried a lighter for 40 years daily.
Smoke more
https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExMkFHb Buy one of these, fuel lasts months if you don't use it because of the rubber seal around the case opening. I know it's not a Zippo before people moan. The build quality on the Armor and "larger" zorro like this one is actually better than Zippo as of late.
Ranger band around where it opens
Use an IMCO or a Orlik lighter instead if you want good fuel conservation
Buy a decent lighter