This is so wierd for me to hear. And I hear it often. I refill my Zippo every 4 days to a week sometimes. Only ever had one run empty a couple times in many many years. Just routine to fill it up when I'm home.
Is There A Lighter That Doesn't Leak?
- Thread starter mikethompson
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I’ve no idea why there are so many complaints about Zippo’s leaking or evaporating lighter fuel. It takes me well over a weak before my Zippo is empty. I do bag ‘m before I place them in the shell though.
For me, the evaporation is not a true complaint. Rather, it's an annoyance.
I generally only smoke a pipe on weekends. Once I get settled with a loaded pipe, beverage of choice, and a good book, it is frustrating to have a lighter shooting blanks. And it happens almost every weekend.
I suppose I could (and have) top off the fuel as a part of my ritual. I'm just not thrilled about it. First world problems, I know.
What do you mean with "bag 'm"? Like put a sandwich baggie over the bottom before returning it to the shell/casing?
The bag probably helps. But the hotter it is where you are, the quicker it evaporates.
Zippo used to last whole lot longer with cigarettes. But with pipes, it's empty in three days. I just refill when I'm heading out for smoke. Bic is always nice for backup.
Neither do BICs!
I usually smoke during the weekends as well. No problem. But I have properly replaced the wick in order to optimise the fuel consumption. I wrap it with a strong sandwich bag before placing it in the case, yep.
I use the bike tube band and it does extend the life of the fuel. I don’t take it off— I just fold it down to open up the lighter if that makes sense.
Not at home but must be from 26 inch wheels. I’ll take a pic when back.
weirdly I find it loses less fluid if I store it up side down. No clue why but it seems to hold onto fuel for longer if I do that. Though I only put what I will use in a day a few seconds of fuel stream.
I agree very much. I have owned all the expensive lighters with discust
I ordered 2 pipemasters had some small leakage BUT I ordered 2 pipemaster knock offs from Aliexpress $9.95 each They don't leak, never need bleeding, fill easy without leakage, better angled flame, only drawback is doesn't light well in wind {like most that I have owned} it takes 2 months delivery as they seem to order them in from Denmark then ships from China
I think I actually just got it from a bike shop now that I remember--asked them if they happened to have any used tubes.
Here's what it looks like when covered:
And when it's uncovered so I can use it:
As you can see, it does stain the metal. Does save on fluid though.
Hope that helps.
I've two zippos that I routinely use, both experience fuel evaporation. I do coat the insert with a thin film of vaseline and that seems to slow things down a bit. I find they last longer if you take your time filling them to ensure they are in fact full. I suspect that my butanes also leak but at a rate too low to be noticeable.
Zippos when they are new seem not to have a serious problem with evaporation. I just purchased one and I can get up to three days out of it. The fit between the lid and body is almost perfect. As they age, the hinge and pin wear so the lid is not seated well and evaporation can drain the lighter in a day. Fluid lighters today don’t come with the lid that directly covers the wick as in table and pocket lighters from the 40s through the 60s. One of those lighters should certainly solve most of the problem with evaporation.