How to light a pipe with a zippo?

[sapiper]

I know it sounds like a dumb question, but I recently got the pipe insert for my Zippo. When I try to light the pipe, I am forced to draw pretty strongly in order to get the flame down into the pipe; especially when it goes out half way through a smoke. This heats up the tobacco quite a bit, and makes it pretty bitey.
I use the previously mentioned Harry method (tobacco in palm, fill upside down pipe by rubbing over tobacco in circles). The draw is like sipping water through a straw. Am I packing wrong? Lighting it wrong? I have found the only way to get a semi-proper light is to turn the pipe sideways. Is this what you all Zippoers do?

 

[nsfisher]

i never filled that way mate sorry cant comment. but i do always turn my lighter sideways,

 

[mrhooker93]

I would use the 3 step method when packing my pipe.

 

[sapiper]

I think I got the packing down, I was more wondering if anyone else had the "have to draw really hard" problem when lighting with a zippo. With a butane pipe lighter, I can point the flame down the bowl, but the zippo flame always points up causing me to either draw really hard with the zippo held sideways or turn the bowl on its side and hold the zippo upright.

 

[juvat270]

I was more wondering if anyone else had the "have to draw really hard" problem when lighting with a zippo.

Yes, and that is why I quit using the zippo and bought an Im Corona Old Boy lighter. The zippo lighter was fine when initially lighting up, but I too found it to be a pain in the ass to relight the tobacco if the bowl was half or more finished. In that case you had to do some hard and fast puffing to get the flame drawn down enough to fully and consistently light the bowl. The zippo pipe lighter is a nice idea, but why bother when there are easier methods with lighters that are easily available.

 

[hnryclay]

I have a Zippo pipe lighter as my primary ignition tool. It works great. I have had several more expensive butane lighters, not the Corona, but some Colibris. The Zippo out performed them every time. I use the fluid in the Black bottle, and only Zippo flints, the Ronson flints did not seem to work as well YMMV. I want an Old Bay just have not found one in my price range.

 

[sapiper]

Yes, and that is why I quit using the zippo

That's what I was afraid of. I read that post about primary and backup lighter, and it seemed that most people used a zippo. I really wanted to carry around the zippo and was hoping that I was just doing something wrong. But I think it's just a case of there being better ways to light a pipe than using a zippo.

 

[sapiper]

The Zippo out performed them every time

Even when you have to light the bowl half way down? Does your bowl not heat up when doing this?

 

[rickpal14]

I use the Thunderbird butane inserts on my all 9 of my Zippos. I also found that you had to draw way too hard once the tobacco was half way down the bowl. I also find the butane doesn't leave a "fuel" taste like the Zippos. I even noticed this with the new "cleaner" fuel also.

 

[hnryclay]

I primarily smoke Virginia blends. In doing so I pack very loosely and use LARGE bowls, think 1.5" to 2" deep. One bowl will last 2-3 hours. In doing so I light the bowl with a good charring light, a very careful process that ensures the tobacco is evenly charred on top. I then let the pipe rest for 10-15 minutes. After which I perform a "true" light and smoke very slowly, tamping from the outside edge of the bowl towards the center. Usually I only have 2-3 relights in the entire smoke. With this method, and a Zippo "pipe" lighter insert I have had no issues lighting a bowl past the halfway mark. YMMV... Also I let the lighter burn for a few seconds before applying the flame, to adjust for any fuel taste. I do this with all lighters, and matches out of habit.
My bowl does not heat up using this method, I think you might be packing the tobacco to tight, but without being there it is tough to tell. The only way to get any method down is to practice...SO enjoy!

 

[hnryclay]

I started a separate reply to your post because I think something should be said of Pipe selection for tobacco usage. My pipes are bought to suit my style of smoking and fall loosely into two categories;
Bent Rhodesians for english blends, usually 9438 GBDs, although I am tempted to add a 999 Peterson to the fold. These are good 45 minute to 1 hour smokes.
Large bowled GBD Pots usually 9437, or 789 shapes, with some Savinelli Lovats, and Liverpools and one Very Large Randy Wiley Meteor thrown on the mix. These are good 2-3 hour smokes.
Since the pipe is matched to the blend, and the tobacco is packed according to the style of bowl, and blend the lighter is the least important part of the equation. Zippo's are cheap, and reliable, which is why I use them.

 

[tanless1]

I've noticed that if I overfill my pipe,the zippo is not so productive.however,once my pack is below the lip...works great.

Have you trimmed your wik ? I keep mine pretty close , for a shorter flame.
Hope this helps

 

[shaintiques]

I have a cool peterson pipe zippo and dont have probs with draw, but I can taste the fluid, so Ive switched to butane. Got a nice lighter at my b&m for 18 bucks and even has a built in tamper.

 

[pipetrucker]

While I use an Old Boy most of the time I do use a Zippo with pipe insert when outdoors on windy days. I find it works quite well and don't have an issue with having to draw hard as you describe.
I would try a different (better) packing method. The one you describe sounds a bit...absurd to me.

 

[bailey331]

I just got a Thunderbird butane insert and it seems to work well. I like is in fact. My altime favorite is a wooden strike anywhere match. I normally use these in my shop when out of the wind.

 

[ace57]

Zippo all the way for Me. I have no prob at all with them.

 

[julesholling]

Use a zippo all the time and I know what you mean about lighting it half way down but never been too much of an issue.

 

[tokerpipes]

Matches here even on windy days.

 

[keith40]

@rickpal14, would you be able to post a link where you bought your butane zippo inserts? amazon reviews go from great to don't fit correctly.

 

[spyder71]

I've noticed that if I overfill my pipe,the zippo is not so productive.however,once my pack is below the lip...works great.

Have you trimmed your wik ? I keep mine pretty close , for a shorter flame.

This