Zippo lighters are known far and wide for how badass they look when used to light a hero's cigar in a movie. However, for a growing crowd, they are also becoming known for how useful they are in a SHTF scenario in which it's impossible to get butane for a typical cigarette lighter. Zippos can use a wide variety of fuels, as you'll see in the article below.
Zippo (brand) lighters were patented in 1936 and saw their heyday with the GI’s of World War II. Zippos used liquid fuel (white gas). Zippo’s reign as king of the lighters ended in 1973 when Bic introduced disposable butane lighters that could provide 3,000 lights before wearing out.
Judging by the Internet, people born after 1970 may have never seen a Zippo-style lighter. They sincerely believe that butane is the one and only fuel ever used in cigarette lighters.
Zippos and Charcoal Lighter Fluid
For all practical purposes, charcoal lighter fluid does not evaporate at room temperature and is termed combustible. Vapors are too few and far between to catch fire. Like candle wax, it must be preheated to the point of forming a vapor before ignition can take place. A match performs the preheating function as well as the ignition-of-vapors function.
As fuel in a Zippo, charcoal lighter fluid, like motor oil, will not work. Spinning the striker wheel will create a shower of sparks but the sparks won’t produce enough heat to vaporize the fuel. The lighter will not light, much less explode. Your nose hairs are safe.Zippo Lighter Fuel Substitutes
But this brings up an interesting possibility. Although we can’t use combustible liquids (diesel fuel, kerosene, mineral spirits) in a Zippo, can we substitute other flammable liquids (gasoline, Coleman fuel, acetone)? Will they work?Let’s start at ground zero. Zippo and/or Ronsonol lighter fluid. Do they work in a Zippo-style cigarette lighter?
Yes.Coleman fuel. Does it work in a Zippo lighter?
Yes. White gas with a dash of perfume equals cigarette lighter fluid.
Note that Coleman fuel sells for $10 per gallon whereas Zippo lighter fluid sells for $88 per gallon when purchased in 4 oz. cans.Gasoline (petrol), lacquer thinner, acetone – do they work?
No. At least not the way I’d hoped.
The problem is the Zippo wick.
Perhaps it is too small in diameter. Or too big. Or too dense. Or too fluffy. Or the wrong material (Zippo wicks are asbestos). After all, it was engineered to lift one specific fuel, white gas, from the fuel tank to the flame. Acetone was not a consideration.
BUT if you put two drops of acetone (or other flammable liquid) directly on the wick of a Zippo and spin the striker wheel, the acetone will ignite and burn for 30 seconds. And thirty seconds of live flame is not bad. Plenty of time to light a twist of paper or splinter of wood which can then be used to light your candle or your campfire.
Having a Zippo in a bug out bag may not be a bad idea, as your typical butane cigarette lighter can easily leak or become stuck on in your bag, leaving it useless when you actually need it.
Zippos, however, can burn most fuels you pour into their body, which makes them great for preppers who plan to pick things up as they go in a bug out situation.
Not only that, but their metal body means it's much less likely that they will break or leak, and a Zippo can last a lifetime or more with proper maintenance. Compare that to a Bic lighter which has a limited lifespan and then it's useless, and you'll see which one is more useful for long-term survival.
For more information like this, or to read the original article, go to Backdoor Survival.
Olim not sure if I misunderstood, but charcoal lighter fluid has worked in my zippo just fine.
Good article.
You can also just use the wheel/flint to create sparks and ignite something like a cotton ball if you run out of lighter fluid. Then use the cotton ball to catch fire to bigger fuel such as grass or leaves. ALWAYS carry a few extra flints in the fuel compartment of the zippo underneath the 1st layer of wadding.
Run out of gas too quickly
Mine is 44 years old and still works great.
Never have had one run out of fuel. But I top mine off every morning. Great for any outdoorsman. Fires, light and wind proof.
A great idea to help conserve your fuel and protect from evaporation is to buy a can of the camel snus pouches. It comes in air tight can to preserve tobacco freshness and it is perfect size for zippo. You store your zippo in that and it prevents the evaporation of your fuel.
I keep mine saturated and in a leather case for leakage precaution. Refillable butane lighters are very dependable
I’m getting one of those
I have a zippo thats engraved with the guys name and year where he was stationed in Vietnam with his girlfriend’s name. …
twins! my favorite one so far
I have had my zippo for 30 years no#38 still use it
Zippo fluid is one of the fuels that can be used in the production of Methamphetamine.
Jason Thompson
I’ve burnt a hell of a lot more than that in my zippo
Get yourself a DOUGLASS FIELD S . It’s waterproof and sealed. Same type as a Zippo. Flint, spark wheel, fuel. Has a reserve emergency fuel reservoir. They’ll keep the fuel from evaporating. Worth the money in my opinion. Here’s a link. Get extra wicks and flints cause they’re hard to find
http://www.bladehq.com/item–Douglass-Field-Lighter-Waterproof–23249
If its flammable then it’ll burn in a zippo
Connor Swope
Any fuel that will actually make a refill actually last longer than they do??
Everstryke has a better model, sealed, waterproof, less evaporation.
Charcoal starter fluid… Both Ronsonol/Zippo fluid contain Naptha (Naphthol).
Charcoal fluid is heavier (more oil, less refined) so lasts longer, but there’s a catch: takes several strikes to light up, so either stock up flints or blend 40℅ with 60℅ conventional Zippo fluid (works for me within 2 strikes) lasts longer and seems to preserve the wick also.
Nichol Ferguson thanks
I like my ’38 bowers better than any zippo ive owned
Carried one for 35 years and will not depend on any other. I take old bic lighters and remove the flints, store them under the cotton.
Zippos suck fuel evaporates out within days
Thanks for the zippo Victor Carrillo
I use one
A zippo is the last lighter I would put in a bugout bag. A great alternative is the NuMyth Tohill. It won’t leak like a zippo
If you live in a dry climate at altitude, a Zippo goes dry in just a few days even if you don’t use it a all. At least the one I carried for a few weeks did. Now it sits in a drawer. Somewhere. Not really suitable for all locales, in my opinion.