Is a Zippo Pipe Insert Really Better?

[aspiring_sage]

Title edited for caps and brevity. (no caps for articles). -jpm

I like Zippo lighters. Great to fidget with, I haven't had one in years.
I'm really drawn to a certain design, but they don't sell it with the pipe insert. Maybe I'll buy a 2nd just to use the pipe insert out of it. Is the pipe insert worth the extra $25 or will a regular Zippo work fine?

Tried searching the forums, there are a lot of "what is your favorite lighting method" questions and comments but I can't get a read on the actual value of the specialized pipe insert.

Zippo guys, let me know what you think.

I know I'm splitting hairs over a little thing, but I've seen lively discussion over less than $25.

 

[anotherbob]

for a pipe yea for one thing the gas rises so the insert makes it easier to not accidentally pull and fuel taste into the pipe. Also if you trim the wick right you can hold the hole right over the chamber and get a nearly perfect light with zero effort.

 

[chopper]

Yes the pipe insert works much better.
If what I heard is correct, send your lighter to Zippo and they'll swap the standard insert for one for a pipe.
Hopefully someone can confirm.

 

[edger]

I like the pipe insert. The flame is more controllable than on the regular Zippo. They work well in the wind, too. I bought many pipes when I lived in Mpls in the 70's. There were many pipe shops then, but they are probably all gone now. Wokeness wiped them out, or burned them down!

 

[jwesthurl]

Just a thought…I bought my zippo pipe lighter for $14 online. Find the cheapest pipe lighter on sale and swap inserts. Save yourself some money and have two complete lighters instead of one lighter with 2 inserts.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

The pipe insert works well in the wind. ?

 

[STP]

I like the pipe insert ?

 

[Grangerous]

In my opinion, No. it blackens with soot and when my flint went I began using my standard zippo and found it just as easy, if not easier to use.

But abandon ye all hope of not tasting lighter fluid. I’ve since changed to Bics and have never looked back.

 

[warren]

You'll get a mix of answers. I found it not to be an improvement over the regular chimney, reinserted the regular and never looked back. The trick with either is the correct adjustment of the wick as necessary.

A reminder to those who disregard the instructions: With either chimney let the fumes burn off before applying flame to pipe, cigar or cigarette. Only makes sense. Some people require warnings not to use a hair dryer in the bath tub. Others need to be told to let the vapors burn off when using a lighter.

 

[anotherbob]

You'll get a mix of answers. I found it not to be an improvement over the regular chimney, reinserted the regular and never looked back. The trick with either is the correct adjustment of the wick as necessary.

A reminder to those who disregard the instructions: With either chimney let the fumes burn off before applying flame to pipe, cigar or cigarette. Only makes sense. Some people require warnings not to use a hair dryer in the bath tub. Others need to be told to let the vapors burn off when using a lighter.

love how all you have to do is read the directions but that's too much for so many people.

 

[Streeper541]

I say yes, but as with most things around here... YMMV.

 

[bullet08]

Pipe insert works well. Soot and crap do build up, but I don't polish the bottom of my boots. Do you?

 

[aspiring_sage]

That pretty much settles it. I'm buying two (or should I make it 3...?)

 

[FurCoat]

I smoke outdoors so the zippo is my go to and the pipe insert works great

 

[exbenedict]

I swapped out mine for a ppe insert and I love it. I use it for outdoors and my kiribi lighter for indoors

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I don't like the pipe inserts. They always seem to get the striker wheel gummed up or it loses friction in some way for me. But, the original inserts have always worked well for me. Having that big hole in the side doesn't seem to have any positive affect on lighting for me.

 

[DanWil84]

I have a Zippo with a normal insert and don't think I need the pipe insert. I did pull the wick a little more out of the insert for a larger flame. The upside for the pipe insert might be its a little more fuel efficient, but thats about it.

 

[jvnshr]

but they don't sell it with the pipe insert.

Is that a new thing? There are few Zippo models that come with a pipe insert.

Zippo lighters have a lifetime warranty, if you send yours for repair they will replace the insert, you may ask for a pipe insert.

 

[jpmcwjr]

One more tiny voice saying go with the standard insert and keep the wick trimmed right.

 

[SmokeRings79]

The pipe insert on a Zippo is my favourite way to light a pipe.