Do you pack extremely tight? I never use more than a pass or two of a lighter to light a pipe.
Is a Zippo Suitable for Pipes?
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No, not at all. I don't even pack tightly, let alone extremely tight (for reference, "average" sized pipes like Savinelli KS 315 prince or my Chacom 871 bent apple type range, .78-.81" diameter by 1.2-1.4" depth chambers I put about 2/3 of a rubbed out Mac Baren Flake size worth of tobacco, which isn't jambed it and goes up to the rim, not packed halfway down in). And it's not like it takes forever to light a pipe, but it definitely takes longer than lighting a cigarette does. But I also do make a charring light before actually lighting.
After the charring light, when I do light, it's only like that, a pass or two. But the charring light does take longer.
Now one thing, I don't dry my tobacco at all, however wet it is in the tin is how wet it is going in the pipe, unless it's like sopping wet, then it might get 10 min dry time.
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I've not tasted the fluid from a Zippo, for cigarettes or pipes, since switching to Ronsonol fluid.
Once lit, I have no problems buring tobacco moist. I prefer it wetter, and I don't want to wait on drying.
Nope, I've never tasted fuel from my Zippo, the OP is either doing it wrong or is very sensitive. I keep using Zippos as they are nearly 100% reliable, simple to maintain and refill, plus they work in the wind. I've found Bic EZ reach to be pretty handy inside.
I've used a Zippo with a pipe insert for the entirety of my smoking "career". I've never tasted lighter fluid, but I DO always let the built up fuel burn off for about five seconds. The flame then dies down to a manageable size and I'm able to light without issue. Could it be you're holding the lighter too close to the leaf, as well? You need a little distance, and pull the flame down with your draw so it just kisses the tobacco.
There’s nothing wrong with the instructions, the company knows a little bit about its product and also has the instructions in video form - easy to understand, or just watch one of many vids readily available elsewhere.
You dismiss pipe inserts but haven’t tried any - folks taking the time to make suggestions actually have, no reason to be dismissive.
Very suitable for pipes with the insert. My negatives are that I can always taste the fuel when lighting with them, and the capacity is low compared to traditional pipes lighters. I also prefer pipe tools built into the lighter.
Theres also a butane soft flame pipe insert that is readily available. No fuel evaporation. Stays full. No taste of lighter fluid. Always works. I bought one and swap it into whichever zippo case I am using.
I must have over a dozen Zippo lighters and for years now the only models I buy are the Armor case series that are 50% heavier.
When I buy a new Zippo I also buy a package of 6 flints and store those under the felt bottom.
I will use a Bic lighter if a Zippo isn’t handy. Bic lighters do not work outside and don’t have a satisfying click when they open anywhere.
I’ve tried the pipe inserts and the butane inserts and prefer the traditional Zippo.
I can’t taste the fuel.
I turn my pipe sideways to avoid charring the rim.
When I buy a new Zippo I also buy a package of 6 flints and store those under the felt bottom.
I will use a Bic lighter if a Zippo isn’t handy. Bic lighters do not work outside and don’t have a satisfying click when they open anywhere.
I’ve tried the pipe inserts and the butane inserts and prefer the traditional Zippo.
I can’t taste the fuel.
I turn my pipe sideways to avoid charring the rim.
Don't really care for the looks, but large capacity, built in tools, filling of lighter and flame adjust without needing removal of screws or extra tools. The utilitarian lighter.
This
I use a Zippo with Ronsonol the majority of the time and I rarely, if ever, taste the fluid. And if I do, it's gone after a few seconds.
Regarding not much flame going up, grab some tweezers and pull the wick up a little more, you'll get a flame then.
Yep. It's exactly how I do it, down to the fuel.This
I use a Zippo with Ronsonol the majority of the time and I rarely, if ever, taste the fluid. And if I do, it's gone after a few seconds.
Regarding not much flame going up, grab some tweezers and pull the wick up a little more, you'll get a flame then.
My issue is the waste: I only smoke 1-3 times a week. When I come back to the pipe after a week the zippo fuel has been lost to the environment. Butane stays put.
I know some people love their Zippos but I think they are complete crap for pipe smoking.
When I started smoking back in Feb, I bought two MM Prides and went to town. After a couple of months, they looked great and were nicely broken in, I had done some light mods as well with some plaster and stains. Nice little pipes, great smokers.
Well, one day, I acquired an old zippo and started smoking with it. Suddenly, all my blends tasted terrible, and I woke up the next day with a nasty chemical burn all over the inside of my mouth. I took a few days off but didn't put 2+2 together until the next time I went to light one of the cobbs and the dry draw just reeked of lighter fluid. The cobs got reamed back to bare wood as best I could, but the bottom of the bowls were just hideous. Both went into the trash. Thank god I didn't skank out a good briar!
I'll take a refillable, clean-burning butane lighter over the Zippo any day.
When I started smoking back in Feb, I bought two MM Prides and went to town. After a couple of months, they looked great and were nicely broken in, I had done some light mods as well with some plaster and stains. Nice little pipes, great smokers.
Well, one day, I acquired an old zippo and started smoking with it. Suddenly, all my blends tasted terrible, and I woke up the next day with a nasty chemical burn all over the inside of my mouth. I took a few days off but didn't put 2+2 together until the next time I went to light one of the cobbs and the dry draw just reeked of lighter fluid. The cobs got reamed back to bare wood as best I could, but the bottom of the bowls were just hideous. Both went into the trash. Thank god I didn't skank out a good briar!
I'll take a refillable, clean-burning butane lighter over the Zippo any day.
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This
I use a Zippo with Ronsonol the majority of the time and I rarely, if ever, taste the fluid. And if I do, it's gone after a few seconds.
Regarding not much flame going up, grab some tweezers and pull the wick up a little more, you'll get a flame then.
Both fuels are made by the same company.
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