Zippo Fuel Evaporation Fix

[cranseiron]

...Well, it won't fix it, but it does help quite a bit it reducing evaporation. I've been using these for a few years now and I bought them mainly to protect my better Zippos from wear and damage. In using them I discovered fuel evaporation was significantly reduced. I recently pulled one out of the bag that had been only partially fueled and after a week in the bag it still had plenty of lights left. You can get them on Amazon, 1.5" X 2" ziplock bags, $8 for 1,000 bags.

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for the tip! :clap:

 

[weedsnager]

Nice !

 

[davek]

Have you tried vaseline in the insert for a better seal?

 

[mikethompson]

Good tip, but this is why I kind of dislike my Zippo - that there are special 'tricks' involved with keeping the fuel from evaporating.

 

[acidpox]

I've never had a problem with the evaporation, I carry a regular insert one everyday as I smoke cigs as well and I fill it up every Sunday and it last the whole week, I may top it off on Saturday before I go out to bars if the flame is kinda low, but rarely do I run into a problem that it runs out and no one has a light. Plus fluid is super cheap. Its more likely that the flint runs out on me instead of fuel. That's why I carry a extra flint underneath the tab on the bottom.

 

[olkofri]

Don't care much for these fixes, but I'm gonna try this one. My Kiribi's flint seems to have bought the farm, and it won't be soon till I get replacements. I'll have to use the Zippo in the meanwhile. Said Zippo has been sitting there unused because at a rate of 1-2 pipes per week or less, I just can't be refilling the thing every time I smoke: too much wasted fuel.

 

[instymp]

Amen Acidpox.

I don't understand why people are having problems with Zippos.

Been using them for 55+ years and never experienced any of these issues.

Use it all day everyday, fill it every 6 or 7 days.

And I smoke all day long.

Carry 3 extra flints. Or 4 or..

But.. if you found a fix for your issues, those that have them, fantastic! Great ingenuity.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I usually get a week of lights between fills.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Don't care much for these fixes, but I'm gonna try this one. My Kiribi's flint seems to have bought the farm, and it won't be soon till I get replacements. I'll have to use the Zippo in the meanwhile.

Take the flint out of the Zippo! JK, but I've mixed flints with no problem (so far).

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've never had issues with Zippo flints either.

 

[milehighpiper]

Nice hack! Wish I would have known about this a while back...
Short story time:
A few months back I was in a hurry to get to the pipe shop before they closed. I topped off my Zippo lighter in a hurry and threw it in my left front jeans pocket. While driving to the shop I felt an itch that grew to a hot chemical burn. Kind of like the burn you get a few weeks after you make love to a stranger in exchange for money. It took me about three blocks to realize that the Zippo was leaking in my pocket and the gas was burning my skin! I pulled the lighter out and could feel the residue of the fuel on the outside of the lighter. Needless to say I had a sweet chemical burn on my thigh for a few hours after that!
I then switched to butane lighters that I can keep in my pocket without feeling the bern!
Now I have two Zippo lighters that I do not use and are there just to show my buddies when they come over.
P.S. Pun intended!

 

[olkofri]

Milehighpiper, the same thing happened to me with my first Zippo, about 9 years ago. Not as extreme, though, but I learnt to keep the Zippon in the little pocket of my jeans, where it would remain upright even if I was sitting down.
I like Zippos, which is why the fuel evaporation issue annoys me.

 

[cranseiron]

I never top my Zippo off to avoid the possibility of leakage. A short squirt or two daily will generally keep these things humming along nicely.

Yes, a jeans watch pocket is the perfect place for your Zippo.

 

[bassbug]

I feel like I've won the lottery.
I own two Zippos and neither one has ever leaked, I've never had flint issues and I go a week or more before I have to refill.

 

[warren]

Many years ago, many, many years ago, I purchased my first Zippo. I read the instructions and so let the overfill evaporate before using or putting in my pocket. I get an easy week worth of flame for a more less continuous chain of bowls or cigarettes. Only got a "burn" when I'd ignore the evaporation step. Only took a couple of times, I'm a slow learner.

 

[davet]

Never had a problem with any of my Zippos, only ever got the burn when carelessly overfilled.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

I have two Zippos. The fuel in one evaporates in a couple of days, I can use the other for a week. The lighter body in the fuel pig is a very loose fit in either case. The other one is tight as a tic in both cases.

 

[milehighpiper]

Well I am sure glad to find out that I am not the only one who has had this mishap!

 

[jitterbugdude]

Zippo also sells a little fuel canister. I've had one in the glove box of my truck for two years and it's still full of fuel. It's a nice assurance for me knowing that my lighter will never actually go dry on me since I have a little refill available if needed.
https://www.zippo.com/products/fuel-canister