Zippo Fuel Recommendations

[bernie2]

I picked up a zippo pipe lighter today as a backup for my Jifeng. I also picked up a can of Zippo premium fuel.

During my first smoke I could taste the zippo fuel each time I had to relight and it was a pretty crappy taste. I switched back to my other lighter halfway through my first bowl.
Is there a better fuel to use with zippo lighters that doesn't taste so bad?

 

[gloucesterman]

Letting the lighter burn for several seconds before putting it to the pipe can reduce the taste, especially if the lighter has just been filled. There is always some build up of vapors in the cap and you draw them in if you don't let them burn off first. But for some people they always seem to be able to taste it. If you're one of them butane is probably a better option.

 

[settersbrace]

I recently got back into a zippo and I got the Zippo Premium fuel (black can). I agree that if you let the flame burn a few seconds before nearing the bowl it's nearly impossible to detect the naphtha. I will suggest that if it is at all possible use a butane flame or a wooden match for your initial char and true light. Once the tobacco is going and you relight with the Zippo, you'll not detect a thing. This is suggested for normal smoking environs. If I'm outdoors I just use the zippo and let it burn off a bit before the initial lighting. Outside is where that lighter shines and that's where I do most of my pipe smoking.

 

[bernie2]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try another smoke with the zippo tomorrow and let it burn for 3 or 4 seconds before each light.

 

[jkrug]

I use the Zippo fuel or Ronsonol which is made by Zippo and let it burn for a couple seconds as others have mentioned. ::

 

[dustmite]

The lighter will burn cleaner once the wick is broken in. It takes a while, but when the wick turns black you should notice a difference.

 

[jazz]

I find this happens if someone over fills the zippo. I use zippo fuel and don't have this unless I am not paying attention when filling it up.
Half fill it and when you light let it burn a sec or two.

 

[settersbrace]

Btw Bernie, that Volcano in the pic is gorgeous and I'd love to see the rest of it. Beautiful grain!

 

[bernie2]

Thanks for the recommendations. After letting the flame burn for a few seconds the taste is not noticeable.
settersbrace - Here's a thread on the Morretti volcano you were asking about.

 

[kingbilliard]

I've read Coleman Camp fluid can be used as a substitute for lighter fluid, or pure naptha for a hardware/home improvement store. I have not tried either.

 

[tarak]

I've had no issues with the Zippo premium. It hasn't been on purpose, but I do end up letting it burn a few seconds before lighting.
Obviously, I much prefer matches when possible.

 

[settersbrace]

Bernie, Thanks!
Kingbilliard, I would caution you on using camp stove fuel for a lighter or pure naphtha. That stuff has the volatility of gasoline and I sure would hate to see anyone become a human torch.

 

[bernie2]

I agree with Kingbilliard...be cautious with camp stove fuel.
My brother and I had a fun experience with that about 10 years ago. We took our families camping up near Wisconsin Dells. When we got there to setup it was pouring rain so we tied off a large 20 x 20 tarp to my camper and a few large trees to create a dry area to unpack. After we had things settled we tried to light a fire. With the wood being wet we had the bright idea of just pouring some camp stove fuel onto the logs to get them going.
After pouring it my brother found that his lighter was wet so I went to the camper and retrieved a dry one. By the time I tried to light the logs enough gas had built up under the overhead tarp that we had a 20x20 foot fireball explode around us. Luckily it was lasted all of a split second and just burned the hair off our arms and scared the crap out of us!
If nothing else it produced a fun near-death memory to talk about. The scary thing is I have lots of those types of memories while camping with my brother.

 

[spartanfan]

Good tip on letting it burn a few seconds before light the tobacco. I use the premium black can zippo fluid. I can usually taste it a little bit for maybe a puff but then it is gone. I smoke exclusively outside so I gladly make the trade off of using the zippo and slight taste versus fighting the slightest breeze with matches or butane.

 

[elbert]

I've become fairly dedicated to my Zippos. I only smoke outside, and ever since I got my first pipe I've noticed that it's never not windy here.But I use Ronsonol, and there is a taste. I'll try the burn-off method going forward though! And I'll rest easy knowing that half the trees in North America are still standing because I gave up on fiddling with 10 matches per bowl.
Love the Zippo mystique--made in the US, and they make great souvenirs! They're the only part of our hobby that I trust the uninitiated to buy for me.