A Question For Zippo Users

paulfg

Lifer

Feb 21, 2016

1,573

2,951

Corfu Greece

• Jul 8, 2017

• #1

I have a zippo pipe lighter but I struggle to draw the flame down to the tobacco unless the lighter is very close to the rim of the pipe.

This worries me that I might burn/char the rim.I therefore keep returning to my old boy lighter but in windy conditions thats a problem.

What am I doing wrong?

 

mcitinner1

Lifer

Apr 5, 2014

4,043

24

Missouri

• Jul 8, 2017

• #2

That's why I quit using mine the first week I had it. You can trim the wick and tame the flame somewhat, but it just isn't the right tool for the job compared to a butane flame, or a match. In my opinion.

 

ashdigger

Lifer

Jul 30, 2016

11,382

70,079

60

Vegas Baby!!!

• Jul 8, 2017

• #3

Suck harder. It'll pull down.

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate

Nov 12, 2014

43,440

109,351

• Jul 8, 2017

• #4

Pull the wick up until the tip is just above the windproof chimney. It's a modification that used to be on the instruction sheet that came with zippos years ago, but has long since been omitted.

 

oldmansmoking

Part of the Furniture Now

May 13, 2017

587

65

UK

• Jul 8, 2017

• #5

Never have a problem, and use nothing but the standard Zippo. Unless outdoors with a lot of wind and the lighter has just been filled up.

 

didimauw

Moderator

Staff member

Jul 28, 2013

9,964

31,881

34

Burlington WI

• Jul 8, 2017

• #6

Yes also if you leave a little room at the top of the bowl, it will light easier.

 

drwatson

Lifer

Aug 3, 2010

1,721

5

toledo

• Jul 8, 2017

• #7

+1 on what Stan said!
But I also like what chasingembers said, will pull mine out of the moth balls and try that trick.

 

warren

Lifer

Sep 13, 2013

11,729

16,321

Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK

• Jul 8, 2017

• #8

Wet the thumb and wipe the rim. Unless I can get leeward, Zippo is my lighter of choice in the wind.

 

paulfg

Lifer

Feb 21, 2016

1,573

2,951

Corfu Greece

• Jul 10, 2017

• #9

thanks for the advice guys,I will try pulling the wick up a bit.I have tried sucking harder but still the tobacco seems hard to light,I need to suck hard and for a long time especially when relighting a part bowl.I dont have that problem with the old boy but that is no good in a windy situation.

Warren I do already wet the rim ,thanks for suggesting it though

 

pappymac

Lifer

Feb 26, 2015

3,302

4,353

• Jul 10, 2017

• #10

Buy a butane pipe insert for your Zippo.

 

paulfg

Lifer

Feb 21, 2016

1,573

2,951

Corfu Greece

• Jul 15, 2017

• #11

@pappymac

I bought a vector insert from USA(quite expensive with international shipping) and it lasted about 5 minutes before the thing started loosing gas.Needless to say wont be buying that again :D
I usually use my old boy lighter but outside I need to learn to use the zippo

 

didimauw

Moderator

Staff member

Jul 28, 2013

9,964

31,881

34

Burlington WI

• Jul 16, 2017

• #12

Did you try my idea?...

 

F

frozenchurchwarden

Lifer

Mar 1, 2014

3,647

4,917

• Jul 16, 2017

• #13

The only way I can light a pipe with a Zippo is turning the pipes sideways and scorching the rim.

With my last bowl I used a triple flame butane Cigar lighter, which works wonders for fast lighting. I put a thin cake of honey and ash on the rim to help protect from the heat, but even then this strategy is probably not recemmended for any pipe that isn't considered disposable.
Trying to draw harder will burn my mouth more than anything else (that's still a chemical burn and not related to heat), lighting technique is absolutely critical for me since the skin in my mouth is too thin.