Sunday, August 9, 2009

Refilling and Cleaning a Zippo

By Dave Sabot

Some individuals maintain that liquid-fueled lighters impart an unpleasant taste to any tobacco product with which they come into contact. This is entirely a matter of opinion but, to remedy the situation, there are several different grades of lighter fluid on the market that advertise themselves as being free of any unpleasant flavor. For those who aren't ready to move to a high-end butane lighter, such as a Nibo, these fluids can help mitigate any risk of ruining a good cigar or pipe.

As anyone who has ever spilled it on a painted surface certainly knows, lighter fluid is an excellent solvent. The lighter fluid itself can be used to wipe away any carbon or other impurities from the lighter. Simply put a small amount on a cotton swab and clean around the workings of the lighter. For the best results, pull out the flint and clean around the wheel, around the screen and around the wick and lever. In no time, the lighter will be looking like new!

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.

After refueling, give the lighter a while to sit before putting it into a pocket. Some fluid may leech out of the lighter after it's filled and this can irritate the skin and damage clothing and, of course, poses a fire hazard. Once the lighter has been allowed to sit, test it for proper operation to make sure all is well.

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