Zippo question

[patrick]

I just bought a new Zippo pipe lighter. This might sound like a dumb question, but is there any compelling reason to keep the cap on the top of it? I removed mine making it more versatile. It still seems to work exactly the same for lighting pipes, but also works like a normal Zippo if I light the occasional cigar or someone else's cigarette for them.
I just have this nagging feeling that Zippo knows what they're doing and put it there for a good reason. Maybe in the wind it will cause the flame to become erratic or something?
Anyone have any negative experiences from removing the cap?

 

[dustmite]

If you're referring to the metal surrounding the wick, that's the wind screen. It is what makes a Zippo wind proof, and also what makes a Zippo a Zippo. I use my Zippo pipe lighter for everything, just hold it sideways and the flame comes right out of the top.

 

[patrick]

I'm just talking about the top cap that's only on pipe Zippos and not the regular ones. It comes off "for maintenance only," according to Zippo's website.

 

[stickframer]

Mine fell off and was lost. The zippo still does its job well for lighting pipes and is quite windproof. It's a bit harder to control the flame when holding it vertically like you would a normal zippo ie for lighting cigs because the flame tends to go through any of the 3 holes at will, especially in the wind.
If I hadn't lost the cap I would keep it on, but it's not like the zippo is useless without it.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I have to ask, how do you guys light a pipe with a Zippo? (Pipe adapter or not)

As far as I can tell the wick basically needs to be touching the tobacco to burn it, when I draw it doesn't really change the direction of the flame.

A bic works great because it throws the flame into the bowl (I just hold the bic upside-down), I just about don't have to draw at all for it to work, which seems far preferable in terms of not frying my mouth.

 

[tslex]

As for me, I love Zippos for the iconic style and all. But for pipe lighting, they are a no-go for me.
I taste the fluid and find them hard to use.
Xikar Scribe, or just a Bic, seems to work better for me.

 

[stickframer]

Without the pipe adapter it us a major pain. With the adapter I just hold the lighter horizontally and gently draw the flame to the baccy. I find it works great. Also, I notice the flame is centered more over the bowl instead of across it, resulting in much much less bowl charring. If I hold a bic upside down I get charred bowl and fingers.

At the end of the day I guess the only thing that matters is if the pipe is satisfactorly lit, the method being secondary.
Edit for clarity

 

[patrick]

Never had a problem lighting a bowl with the pipe Zippo. A regular one would be rather difficult. Doesn't need to be that close for me to draw the flame down into the bowl. I did get a bit of the fuel taste the first time I used it though. It went away after a couple of puffs. Never has happened again. I bought it at a tobacco shop and they filled it and I think they over-filled it which may have caused the taste. It's weird, a lot of people complain about the taste and others swear they never get a bad taste. I guess whatever works for you is what you go with. I use matches at home and the Zippo when out and about.

 

[agnosticpipe]

I had a Zippo pipe lighter that I lost the cap on the lighter. I found that it didn't work as well for lighting my my pipe outside without it. I contacted Zippo and they sent me a new cap for free. I should mention that I only use the lighter for pipes, but I can't imagine that using it for anything else would be a problem. I don't seem to notice any fuel odors if I let it burn for a few seconds before light my pipe. It is the only lighter that I use outside, and inside I use a Savinelli/Corona lighter that has a soft flame. Some seem to have a problem with the fuel smell, but I never smell it for more than a few seconds. Anyway, just use what works for you, and happy puffin...

 

[puffndave]

I have a Zippo pipe lighter, and I only wish that it was my first pipe lighter! The pipe model is simply the best system which I have ever used, and I don't know how one would think it isn't versatile for cigarrete lighting without altering it. Just position it horizontal over the bowl and draw, or for anything other than a pipe hold it the same way underneath. I love how easy it is to get a good light, and that ring protects the bowl rim from scorching. I've been through several right angle lighters, and on full bowls they still burn the piss out of once-nice finishes. However, it's probably not the best option in cars.

 

[puffndave]

I have a Zippo pipe lighter, and I only wish that it was my first pipe lighter! The pipe model is simply the best system which I have ever used, and I don't know how one would think it isn't versatile for cigarrete lighting without altering it. Just position it horizontal over the bowl and draw, or for anything other than a pipe hold it the same way underneath. I love how easy it is to get a good light, and that ring protects the bowl rim from scorching. I've been through several right angle lighters, and on full bowls they still burn the piss out of once-nice finishes. However, it's probably not the best option in cars. It also doesn't have switches that fail on you after a few month's use, another 100 dollars wasted.

 

[puffndave]

Orley, agreed on the Zippo odor not being a real issue. Naphta does smell rude, but it need not ruin the smoking experience when managed well. Since I discovered that I need not draw so hard when lighting, I haven't noticed the odor after letting the fuel burn for a few seconds. I find it also helps to avoid overfilling the bowl - having some play down from the rim makes the difference between almost impossible and very easy lighting, and easy draw keeps the odor away.