I do use the Ronson butane fuel, but just haven't bought anything else yet. Never realized there were so many different butane fuels out there to begin with, but my Kiribi doesn't seem to get quite that bad. It's got a little soot on it, but like others have said, it wipes right off. Mine is only around the flint area and about halfway up the tube that hold the flint and spring, so you may have your flame too high if it reaches the pin that far back. Also, like others have said, you might try to hold it differently. I try to hold mine in a way that the flame is not hitting any portion of the lighter. Sometimes that's easier said than done, depending on where you're trying to put the flame and whether or not it's windy.