A Tip for Zippo Users

[sparrowhawk]

I thought I'd pass this on. You know how you flick the stricker wheel of your Zippo repeatedly and it refuses to ignight? Providing you have a flint and fuel inside, the reason it won't ignite is the striker wheel is dirty, clogged with skin oils and debrie from your thumb. So just clean the wheel. Sandpaper on the wheel works well, or clean the grooves of the wheel by scratching the debris in the wheel's grooves with the tip of a knife blade or an awl or needle. You'll find you will get more reliable ignition strikes on your Zippo more regularly.

 

[papipeguy]

Thanks for the tip. Too often we ignore the striking wheel and it's the easiest part to clean.

 

[jmatt]

Another tip: Don't drop a lit Zippo in your lap....

 

[jpmcwjr]

IIRC, an old toothbrush dipped in lighter fluid does the job, too, no?

 

[sparrowhawk]

I've used a toothbrush in the past, and that works too.

 

[pylorns]

Tooth brush or soft wire brush always great way.

 

[ember]

Jmatt yeah that dropping thing that's a good tip. I found that out a few days ago myself lol

 

[jkrug]

Great tip and a simple way to keep your Zippo zipping. I can see how the "don't drop a lit Zippo in your lap" tip could be helpful too! 8O

 

[perlasca]

Sometimes a short quick spin in the opposite direction gets it striking again for me.

Don't know the reason why, but again if it works for me it works for me.
Someone stated how we neglect the wheel, that's true in my case also. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be giving my Zippos a cleaning soon.

 

[dwt63]

And, don't forget to trim your wick, occasionally.